How many Medicare beneficiaries are in Arizona?

Arizona has approximately 1.4M Medicare beneficiaries. Roughly 60% are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, with the balance on Original Medicare — often paired with a Medigap plan and a standalone Part D drug plan.

When is Arizona Medicare enrollment?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year, with changes effective January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs January 1 through March 31. New-to-Medicare beneficiaries use their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday.

Is Medigap available in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona has all federal Medigap letter plans (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, and high-deductible G and F for those eligible) available from multiple carriers. Medical underwriting typically applies outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window, so timing matters.

Arizona · Medicare · 2026 plan year

Arizona Medicare plans for 2026.

Q: What are the top Medicare Advantage carriers in Arizona?

Leading Medicare Advantage carriers in Arizona include Banner Health, Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield AZ, Wellcare. Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Arizona has approximately 1.4M Medicare beneficiaries — about 60% on Medicare Advantage, the rest on Original Medicare. We compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options from Banner Health, Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield AZ, Wellcare.

Talk to a licensed Arizona Medicare advisor Medicare basics Browse plans yourself

1.4M

Arizona Medicare beneficiaries

~60%

on Medicare Advantage in AZ

All 15

Arizona counties served

Carriers pay us — never you

Want to enroll yourself? Compare Arizona Medicare plans online.

Same Medicare Advantage, Supplement, and Part D plans we'd quote you. SilverEdge stays your broker on file — call us anytime.

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The core decision

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap in Arizona

For most Arizonans, the choice between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Original Medicare plus a Medigap (Supplement) plan is the biggest decision you'll make.

Medicare Advantage in Arizona

Bundles Part A, Part B, and usually Part D into a private plan. Most Arizona metros offer competitive $0-premium plans with dental, vision, hearing, OTC, and transportation benefits.

Most Arizona MA plans are HMOs with local networks including Banner Health, Mayo Clinic Arizona, HonorHealth, Dignity Health, TMC HealthCare. We verify your doctors before enrolling.

Medigap in Arizona

Pairs with Original Medicare and covers the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays Medicare doesn't pay. Any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare accepts Medigap — no networks.

Arizona Medigap premiums vary by ZIP and age, and carriers may medically underwrite outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window.

Carriers

Top Medicare carriers in Arizona

Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Banner Health Plans

Arizona's largest health system, with its own integrated Medicare Advantage offerings. Strong if you use Banner doctors and hospitals across Phoenix metro.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona

Arizona's Blue plan with statewide network including Mayo Clinic Arizona, HonorHealth, Dignity Health, TMC HealthCare.

Humana & UnitedHealthcare

Both major MA carriers in Arizona, especially competitive in Phoenix and Tucson. UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medigap plans widely held.

Aetna, Cigna, Wellcare

All three have competitive $0-premium MA plans across Arizona metros. Wellcare strong in D-SNP segments.

Part D

Part D prescription coverage in Arizona

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, 2026 Part D caps out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 per year and eliminates the old "donut hole."

Every Arizona Medicare beneficiary needs prescription drug coverage (or creditable alternative coverage) to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty. Arizona has dozens of standalone Part D plans plus drug coverage bundled into most MA-PD plans.

Formulary check: The same medication can land in very different tiers across plans. We run your drug list against every Part D plan in your ZIP.
Preferred pharmacy: Many Arizona Part D plans offer lower copays at preferred pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Fry's (Kroger), Walmart, Costco, Safeway). Which pharmacy you prefer can change which plan is cheapest.
Extra Help / LIS: Arizona beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy that significantly reduces drug costs.

Timing

Medicare enrollment dates for Arizona

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. Change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans; changes effective January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP): January 1 – March 31. One plan change allowed for members already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7 months around your 65th birthday — 3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
Medigap Open Enrollment: 6 months from your Part B effective date — the one-time window when Arizona Medigap carriers cannot deny you or charge more for health reasons.
Special Enrollment Periods: Moving into Arizona, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or moving into or out of a nursing facility may each trigger a SEP.

Common questions

Arizona Medicare FAQ

Are there Arizona-specific Medicare rules?

Medicare is federal, so core rules match nationwide. What varies in Arizona is plan availability, network depth, Medigap pricing, and carrier mix.

Can I switch from Advantage to Medigap later?

Sometimes. Outside your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment window, Arizona Medigap carriers can medically underwrite — which means they can decline you or charge more for health conditions. We walk through your specific options carefully.

What if my doctor is at a different network?

We verify every doctor and hospital you want to keep against each plan's network before recommending anything. Networks like Banner Health, Mayo Clinic Arizona, HonorHealth, Dignity Health, TMC HealthCare are common in Arizona — but specifics vary plan by plan.

What does SilverEdge cost?

Nothing. Medicare carriers pay us a commission when you enroll. We earn the same regardless of which carrier you pick — our job is to find your best Arizona fit.

Coverage

Arizona counties we cover

All 15 Arizona counties. A few of the counties where we have the most active members:

Maricopa (Phoenix) Pima (Tucson) Pinal Yavapai Mohave Yuma Coconino Cochise Navajo Apache Gila Santa Cruz La Paz Graham Greenlee

★★★★★

$1,440 / yr saved

on Medicare Advantage · Phoenix, AZ

"I needed Mayo Clinic Arizona in network. SilverEdge found me a Banner Health plan that covered Mayo AZ AND included gym, dental, OTC. Same monthly premium as my old plan with worse coverage."

Dennis K.

Network-driven MA switch · Phoenix, AZ

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