By Paul Barrett, CMIP | The Modern Medicare Agency | Melville, NY 18+ years Medicare-exclusive experience | Licensed in 37 states | 40+ carriers Last updated: July 2026
Brooklyn has 38 traditional Medicare Advantage plans to choose from in 2026 — more options than almost anywhere else in the country. And that’s actually not the complete picture: Brooklyn also has a meaningful number of Special Needs Plans (D-SNP, C-SNP, and I-SNP) offered separately, which are excluded from that count and deserve their own explanation. This guide breaks it all down honestly: real numbers, every standard plan available, and a critical network issue you need to know about if you’re on a certain carrier right now.
I’m independent — I represent more than 40 carriers, so nothing here is written to steer you toward one company. It’s written so you can see the whole picture clearly.
CRITICAL NETWORK WARNING: UNITEDHEALTHCARE AND NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN
If you’re considering — or already enrolled in — an AARP Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealthcare, this matters right now. UnitedHealthcare and NewYork-Presbyterian are in active contract negotiations, and in-network access for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members at NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and NYP Medical Group practices (including ColumbiaDoctors and Weill Cornell Medicine) has been extended through July 31, 2026. If a new agreement isn’t reached by then, NYP facilities become out-of-network for most UHC Medicare Advantage members starting August 1, 2026.
If this affects your doctors, it’s worth knowing that a network exit like this can qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period — meaning you may not have to wait for the next Annual Enrollment Period to switch plans.
BROOKLYN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: FAST FACTS
| What's You're Looking At | The 2026 Number |
|---|---|
| Total Medicare Advantage plans available | 38 traditional MA plans* |
| Insurance companies offering plans | 12 |
| Plans with a $0 monthly premium | 15 |
| Average premium (for plans that charge one) | $33.81/month |
| Average out-of-pocket maximum | $8,693.42/year |
| Average Rx deductible (plans with drug coverage) | $521.56/year |
| Plans rated 4 stars or higher | 11 |
| Plan types available | HMO (24 plans), PPO (14 plans), HMO-POS |
| Medicare Advantage enrollment rate in Brooklyn | 57.61% of eligible beneficiaries |
Plans and prices can change, and availability depends on your exact address within Brooklyn. Always confirm current details for your specific ZIP code using Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder before enrolling.
*This 38-plan count reflects standard, non-Special-Needs Medicare Advantage plans. When Special Needs Plans (D-SNP, C-SNP, and I-SNP) are included, Kings County’s total Medicare Advantage plan count rises meaningfully higher — see the Special Needs Plans section below for what these are and who qualifies.
WHO OFFERS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN BROOKLYN
Twelve carriers currently offer Medicare Advantage plans in Brooklyn:
Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Elderplan, EmblemHealth, HealthSpring, Healthfirst, Humana, MetroPlus Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, VNS Health, VillageCareMAX, and Wellcare.
A few of these are worth knowing more about specifically, since they’re not the national names you see advertised constantly:
- Healthfirst — A New York-based, not-for-profit plan with a strong local presence and some of the highest star ratings in Brooklyn (up to 4.5 stars).
- Elderplan and VNS Health — Both are New York City-focused carriers with deep roots in serving the five boroughs, including plans designed for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
- MetroPlus Health Plan — Affiliated with NYC Health + Hospitals, the city’s public hospital system, which can matter if you already receive care through that network.
- VillageCareMAX — A smaller, NYC-based nonprofit option, worth knowing exists even though it doesn’t have the advertising budget of the national carriers.
TOP-RATED PLANS IN BROOKLYN (4 STARS OR HIGHER)
| Plan | Type | Monthly Premium | Out-of-Pocket Max | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem Veteran 2 | HMO-POS | N/A | $6,800 | 5.0 |
| Anthem Medicare Advantage 2 | HMO-POS | $34.00 | $9,250 | 5.0 |
| Healthfirst 65 Plus Plan | HMO | $0.00 | $9,250 | 4.5 |
| Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan | HMO | $24.20 | $9,250 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Elite | PPO | $0.00 | $9,250 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Eagle Giveback | PPO | N/A | $9,250 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Enhanced | PPO | $60.00 | $9,250 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Enhanced Extra | PPO | $104.00 | $6,750 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Elite Extra | PPO | $44.00 | $9,250 | 4.5 |
| EmblemHealth VIP Gold | HMO | $49.00 | $9,250 | 4.0 |
| EmblemHealth VIP Gold Plus | HMO | $252.00 | $9,250 | 4.0 |
Notice something important here: the highest-rated plans aren’t necessarily the cheapest, and the cheapest plans aren’t necessarily the highest-rated. Several $0-premium plans below carry only 3.0-star ratings, while some of the strongest-rated plans above have real monthly costs. This is exactly why “lowest premium” and “best plan” are two different questions.
ALL 38 MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS IN BROOKLYN
| Plan | Type | Premium | OOP Max | Rx Deductible | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem Veteran 2 (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | N/A | $6,800 | N/A | 5.0 |
| Anthem Medicare Advantage 2 (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | $34.00 | $9,250 | $240 | 5.0 |
| Healthfirst 65 Plus Plan (HMO) | HMO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 4.5 |
| Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan (HMO) | HMO | $24.20 | $9,250 | $615 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Elite (PPO) | PPO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Eagle Giveback (PPO) | PPO | N/A | $9,250 | N/A | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Enhanced (PPO) | PPO | $60.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Enhanced Extra (PPO) | PPO | $104.00 | $6,750 | $615 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Elite Extra (PPO) | PPO | $44.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 4.5 |
| EmblemHealth VIP Gold (HMO) | HMO | $49.00 | $9,250 | $200 | 4.0 |
| EmblemHealth VIP Gold Plus (HMO) | HMO | $252.00 | $9,250 | $200 | 4.0 |
| MetroPlus Platinum Plan (HMO) | HMO | $58.80 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.5 |
| VillageCareMAX Medicare Select Advantage (HMO) | HMO | $58.80 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.5 |
| Elderplan Extra Help (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | $58.80 | $7,550 | $375 | 3.5 |
| Elderplan Flex (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | $0.00 | $7,550 | $375 | 3.5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NY-0005 (HMO-POS)* | HMO-POS | $82.00 | $9,250 | $520 | 3.5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx NY-MA3 (HMO-POS)* | HMO-POS | N/A | $6,700 | N/A | 3.5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NY-0012 (PPO)* | PPO | $0.00 | $8,900 | $600 | 3.5 |
| VNS Health EasyCare (HMO) | HMO | $25.00 | $9,250 | $500 | 3.5 |
| Healthfirst Signature (HMO) | HMO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.5 |
| Anthem Veteran (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | N/A | $6,800 | N/A | 3.5 |
| Anthem Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | $44.00 | $9,250 | $150 | 3.5 |
| Wellcare Simple Open (PPO) | PPO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Wellcare Giveback Open (PPO) | PPO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Wellcare Assist Open (PPO) | PPO | $58.80 | $9,250 | $530 | 3.0 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO) | HMO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature Care (HMO) | HMO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Humana Gold Plus Giveback H3533-027 (HMO) | HMO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Humana Gold Plus H3533-033 (HMO) | HMO | $0.00 | $8,550 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Humana Gold Plus H3533-035 (HMO) | HMO | $22.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Wellcare Assist (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | $51.40 | $9,250 | $590 | 3.0 |
| Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Wellcare Fidelis Patriot Simple (HMO-POS) | HMO-POS | N/A | $9,250 | N/A | 3.0 |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) | PPO | N/A | $4,950 | N/A | 3.0 |
| HumanaChoice H5970-028 (PPO) | PPO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
| Humana Direct Choice Giveback (PPO) | PPO | $0.00 | $9,250 | $475 | 3.0 |
| HealthSpring True Choice (PPO)** | PPO | $0.00 | $6,800 | $250 | 3.0 |
| Healthfirst Signature (PPO) | PPO | $55.00 | $9,250 | $615 | 3.0 |
*See the Critical Network Warning above if you’re considering or enrolled in an AARP/UnitedHealthcare plan. **HealthSpring terminated its Northwell Health network relationship on Long Island effective December 31, 2025 — a reminder that carrier-hospital relationships can shift by region even within the same company. Always confirm current Brooklyn-specific network status directly.
Plan availability, pricing, and star ratings shown reflect 2026 CMS-backed data and can change. Confirm current details for your exact address at Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder before enrolling.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR PLAN TYPE OPTIONS
HMO (24 plans in Brooklyn) — Health Maintenance Organization plans generally require you to use in-network doctors and get a referral to see specialists. Out-of-network care typically isn’t covered except in an emergency.
PPO (14 plans in Brooklyn) — Preferred Provider Organization plans let you see out-of-network doctors and specialists without a referral, usually at a higher cost, giving you more flexibility than an HMO.
HMO-POS — A hybrid: mostly HMO rules, but with limited ability to go out-of-network for certain services at an additional cost.
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) — Beyond the 38 traditional plans above, Brooklyn residents also have access to genuine Special Needs Plans, which serve specific populations and aren’t included in the standard plan count:
Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs) are limited to people with specific qualifying illnesses. A real example available in Kings County: Aetna Medicare Chronic Care (HMO C-SNP), built specifically for people managing qualifying chronic conditions, with its own distinct benefit design and drug formulary.
Institutional SNPs (I-SNPs) serve people who live in, or require the level of care provided by, a long-term care facility. A real example in Kings County: Elderplan Select (HMO-POS I-SNP).
Dual Eligible SNPs (D-SNPs) are for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid — a significant population in Brooklyn given the borough’s demographics. Carriers like Elderplan, VNS Health, and Healthfirst all offer D-SNP options here.
If you or a loved one might qualify for any of these categories, it’s worth a direct conversation, since SNP eligibility and benefits work differently from standard Medicare Advantage plans and aren’t fully captured in the general plan comparison above.
MEDICARE AND VA BENEFITS
If you or your spouse are a veteran with VA benefits, the VA still recommends enrolling in Medicare as soon as you’re eligible. Having Medicare means you’re covered for care outside VA facilities, VA benefits and healthcare policy can change over time, and skipping Medicare now can mean permanent late enrollment penalties later if you ever need to add it. A few plans in Brooklyn, including Anthem’s Veteran-branded plans and Humana’s USAA Honor plans, are specifically built with veterans in mind.
WHEN TO ENROLL
Enrolling for the first time: Your Initial Enrollment Period runs 7 months — 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and 3 months after. Missing this window means waiting for the General Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31), likely with penalties.
Changing plans: The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7 each year. There’s also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 – March 31, when you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or move back to Original Medicare.
Special situations: Moving, losing coverage, or a network change like the UnitedHealthcare/NewYork-Presbyterian situation above can all qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period outside the normal windows.
PAUL'S HONEST TAKE
Thirty-eight plans is a lot of choice, and honestly, most of it is noise until you narrow it down to what actually matters for you: your specific doctors, your medications, and your hospital. The data above shows real patterns worth paying attention to — the highest star ratings don’t always come with the lowest premiums, several $0-premium plans carry only average 3-star ratings, and right now there’s a real, live network situation with UnitedHealthcare that shouldn’t be ignored if it applies to you. I’d rather walk you through your specific doctors and prescriptions against this list than have you guess based on a commercial.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best Medicare Advantage plan in Brooklyn?
There’s no single best plan — it depends on your doctors, medications, and health needs. Use the tables above as a starting point, then confirm your specific providers are covered before enrolling in anything.
How much does Medicare Advantage cost in Brooklyn?
15 of the 38 standard plans have a $0 monthly premium. For plans that do charge one, the average is $33.81/month. The average annual out-of-pocket maximum across all Brooklyn plans is $8,693.42.
Is the 38-plan count the complete picture for Brooklyn?
No — 38 reflects standard, non-Special-Needs Medicare Advantage plans. Brooklyn also has genuine Chronic Condition, Institutional, and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans available separately, serving specific qualifying populations. See the Special Needs Plans section above for real examples.
Will I lose my doctor if UnitedHealthcare and NewYork-Presbyterian don’t reach an agreement?
If no new agreement is reached by July 31, 2026, NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals and practices become out-of-network for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members starting August 1, 2026. This can qualify affected members for a Special Enrollment Period.
What’s the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement in Brooklyn?
Medicare Advantage bundles your coverage through a private carrier’s network, often with a lower monthly cost and extra benefits. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare, costs more monthly, but lets you see any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare — and New York’s guaranteed-issue, community-rated Medigap rules make it a genuinely accessible option here year-round.
Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans in Brooklyn?
Yes — during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31). Special circumstances, like a network change, may qualify you for an additional Special Enrollment Period.
Want help figuring out which of these 38 plans actually fits your doctors, medications, and budget — not just a generic recommendation?
Call or text 631-358-5793. No pressure, no cost, just a real answer based on your situation.
RELATED READING
SOURCES
- Medicare.gov Plan Finder
- CMS.gov — Medicare Advantage State/County Penetration Data
- CMS.gov — Monthly Medicare Advantage Enrollment by State/County/Contract
- Q1Medicare.com — Kings County, NY 2026 Medicare Advantage Plan Finder (includes SNP plans)
- NewYork-Presbyterian — UnitedHealthcare In-Network Coverage Changes (Medicare Advantage)
The Modern Medicare Agency 445 Broad Hollow Rd, Melville, NY 11747 Phone: 631-358-5793
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
