Medicare in Arizona serves about 1.5 million beneficiaries, with 58% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $135/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $44/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
1.5 million
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
58%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$135/mo
New enrollee, age 65
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available | 80+ | Varies by county; check medicare.gov plan finder |
| Top MA carriers | UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna/CVS | Networks differ by county |
| Stand-alone Part D | $44/mo | Required if you have Original Medicare + Medigap |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | No (one-time 6-month window at 65) | No state annual GI rights; high MA penetration driven by retiree migration from colder states. |
Medigap premiums vary by carrier, age, and ZIP code. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month and Part B deductible is $283. Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026.
Arizona is one of the top five states for Medicare Advantage enrollment by percentage, with roughly 58% of beneficiaries choosing an MA plan. The Phoenix–Scottsdale–Mesa metro area is one of the most competitive MA markets in the country, with UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna all fielding multiple plan types — HMO, PPO, and DSNP — competing for the large retiree population that relocates from the Midwest, Northeast, and Pacific Coast. Banner Health and Dignity Health (now CommonSpirit) are the dominant hospital systems and participate across most major MA networks. Tucson's market is similarly competitive, with strong representation from Molina and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona in the DSNP and low-income segment.
Arizona's warm climate and lower cost of living relative to California make it a perennial top retirement destination, driving an annual influx of new Medicare beneficiaries who enrolled in Medigap in their home state and now need to understand Arizona's market dynamics. Medigap Plan G runs about $135/month — moderate relative to the national range — and is widely available. Beneficiaries arriving from California should note that the Birthday Rule does not apply in Arizona; they lose that annual switching right upon moving here. The 6-month open enrollment window at 65 is the key protection, and snowbirds spending winters in Arizona should ensure their coverage works in both states.
In Arizona, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 58% of Arizona beneficiaries currently choose MA.
No state annual GI rights; high MA penetration driven by retiree migration from colder states.
💡 Arizona Pro Tip
Arizona beneficiaries in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas typically have access to 80 or more Medicare Advantage plans. Even in smaller communities like Prescott and Flagstaff, 20 to 40 plans are usually available. The state's large retiree population has driven extensive insurer competition.
The average Medigap Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Arizona is approximately $135 per month. Premiums are competitive due to the large insurer market, and carriers like Mutual of Omaha, Cigna, and AARP/UnitedHealthcare all offer Plan G options in the state.
Arizona does not have a birthday rule or annual guaranteed-issue protections for Medigap switching. Outside of your initial open enrollment window or a qualifying federal guaranteed-issue event, insurance companies can require medical underwriting. Beneficiaries relocating from California or Oregon lose those states' birthday rule protections when they establish Arizona residency.
Beneficiary counts and MA enrollment percentages from CMS state-level Medicare data; premium averages from 2026 carrier rate filings for Arizona. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
Jennifer Walsh
Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed May 2026
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