How many Medicare beneficiaries are in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has approximately 1.4M Medicare beneficiaries. Roughly 30% 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts 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.

Massachusetts · Medicare · 2026 plan year

Massachusetts Medicare plans for 2026.

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

Leading Medicare Advantage carriers in Massachusetts include Blue Cross Blue Shield MA, Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim, Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare (AARP). Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Massachusetts has approximately 1.4M Medicare beneficiaries — about 30% on Medicare Advantage, the rest on Original Medicare. We compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options from Blue Cross Blue Shield MA, Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim, Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare (AARP).

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

1.4M

Massachusetts Medicare beneficiaries

~30%

on Medicare Advantage in MA

All 14

Massachusetts counties served

Carriers pay us — never you

Want to enroll yourself? Compare Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

For most Massachusetts residents, 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 Massachusetts

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

Most Massachusetts MA plans are HMOs with local networks including Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey, UMass Memorial, Boston Medical, Lahey Hospital. We verify your doctors before enrolling.

Medigap in Massachusetts

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.

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts

Massachusetts' dominant insurer. Statewide network covering Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey, UMass Memorial, Boston Medical.

Tufts Health Plan

Massachusetts-headquartered (now part of Point32Health with Harvard Pilgrim). Strong Medicare Advantage with Tufts Medical Center networks.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

Massachusetts/New England-focused with Harvard-system relationships. Lower MA Advantage share than other states because Massachusetts has unique Medigap rules favoring Original Medicare.

Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare

All three offer competitive Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans in MA. Massachusetts has unique guaranteed-issue Medigap protections (no medical underwriting), making Medigap especially attractive.

Part D

Part D prescription coverage in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts Medicare beneficiary needs prescription drug coverage (or creditable alternative coverage) to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Part D plans offer lower copays at preferred pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Stop & Shop, Walmart, Costco). Which pharmacy you prefer can change which plan is cheapest.
Extra Help / LIS: Massachusetts beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy that significantly reduces drug costs.

Timing

Medicare enrollment dates for Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts Medigap carriers cannot deny you or charge more for health reasons.
Special Enrollment Periods: Moving into Massachusetts, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or moving into or out of a nursing facility may each trigger a SEP.

Common questions

Massachusetts Medicare FAQ

Are there Massachusetts-specific Medicare rules?

Medicare is federal, so core rules match nationwide. What varies in Massachusetts 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, Massachusetts 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 Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey, UMass Memorial, Boston Medical, Lahey Hospital are common in Massachusetts — 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 Massachusetts fit.

Coverage

Massachusetts counties we cover

All 14 Massachusetts counties. A few of the counties where we have the most active members:

Middlesex Worcester Essex Suffolk (Boston) Norfolk Bristol Plymouth Hampden Barnstable Hampshire Berkshire Franklin Dukes Nantucket

★★★★★

$1,920 / yr saved

on Plan G premium · Boston, MA

"Massachusetts has guaranteed-issue Medigap — no underwriting any time. SilverEdge moved me from a $245 Plan G to a $185 Plan G with the same exact benefits. No health questions. Took 30 minutes."

Robert M.

Medigap switch · Boston, MA

Ready to compare Massachusetts Medicare plans?

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