May 22nd 2024
By Ari Parker
Learn everything you need to know about Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans, which are offered only in New Jersey.
By Ari Parker
Braven Health is jointly owned and operated by Hackensack Meridian Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Braven Health offers Medicare Advantage plans in New Jersey. It launched in 2020 with 13,000 enrollments across eight counties. As of 2024, it has expanded service to every county in New Jersey.
Braven Health offers options for $0-premium PPO plans but has a below-average CMS star rating. We’ll discuss everything you need to know about Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans in 2024, including reviews, plan options, and plan benefits.
Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans are only available in every county in New Jersey.
Braven Health provides two options for Medicare Advantage plans: Braven Medicare Choice and Braven Medicare Freedom.
Braven Health offers $0-premium PPO plans, but the out-of-pocket maximums are relatively high.
Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans received a star rating of 3.5, which is below the industry average of 4.04.
Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans are only available in New Jersey, but they’re available in all 21 New Jersey counties. Keep in mind that both of the Medicare Advantage plans offered by Braven Health aren’t available in every county.
Each year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gives Medicare Advantage plans a star rating from 1-5 (with a 5-star plan being the highest quality). In 2024, CMS gave Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans an average star rating of 3.5, which is below average. The industry average is 4.04 stars for all Medicare Advantage health plans.
If you’re wondering why Braven Health plans receive lower-than-average star ratings, it’s a combination of plan performance, customer reviews, and provider feedback. In terms of pros and cons for Braven Health plans, zero-dollar premiums and flexibility in choosing providers under a PPO plan are two pros. One con, however, is the relatively high out-of-pocket maximums, which could result in you paying more in one year if you have frequent or expensive medical needs.
Braven Health offers two different Medicare Advantage plans: Braven Medicare Freedom and Braven Medicare Choice. Each has its own costs and plan benefits. Your costs can also vary depending on the county you live in. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from these Medicare Advantage plans:
$0 copay for in-network primary care visits
$35 monthly premium
$0 prescription copays for Tier 1 and Tier 6 drugs
Access to in-network providers out-of-state
Higher over-the-counter credit, compared to Braven Medicare Choice plans
Additional plan benefits
$0 copay for in-network primary care visits
$0 monthly premium
$0 prescription copays for Tier 1 and Tier 6 drugs
Access to in-network providers out-of-state
Additional plan benefits
If you’re choosing a Braven Health Medicare Advantage plan, it’s good to know what “PPO” means. The most common types of Medicare Advantage plans are PPO and HMO plans.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations) and HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations) plans are types of health insurance plans that operate with a network of providers you can see. PPO plans offer more flexibility in choosing doctors. You’ll receive full coverage for care you receive from doctors who are preferred (in network). You can still get coverage for services you receive from out-of-network doctors, but you will likely pay more.
An HMO only provides coverage for in-network providers. This means you’d have to pay for the full cost of the services you receive from an out-of-network doctor.
Braven Health only provides PPO plans, so you can see providers out of your network, but you may owe more seeing an out-of-network provider than you would if you saw an in-network doctor. If you want to keep costs as low as possible, you should see doctors in your plan’s network.
The two Braven Health Medicare Advantage plans provide different benefits, but each includes some level of the following, in addition to other plan benefits:
Braven Smart Card, a spending card for over-the-counter (OTC) products, fitness, and flex spending
Flex benefit, a yearly allowance that can be used on things like Weight Watchers, acupuncture, nutritional services, safety devices, and transportation services
A fitness program allowance
Quarterly over-the-counter (OTC) credits
Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
We outlined general costs, including premiums and copays, for both of the Braven Health plans. That said, your costs may vary from one county to another. We’ve listed the cost of Braven Medicare Choice and Freedom plans in Cape May County, Ocean County, and Monmouth County to help illustrate the costs and how they may vary across counties.
Doesn’t offer Braven Medicare Freedom (PPO)
Braven Medicare Choice (PPO)
Monthly premium: $0
In-network out-of-pocket maximum: $6,650
Out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum: $10,000
Primary copay: $0
Copay for specialist: $20
Braven Medicare Freedom (PPO)
Monthly premium: $35
In-network out-of-pocket maximum: $6,825
Out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum: $9,500
Primary copay: $0
Copay for specialist: $20
Braven Medicare Choice (PPO)
Monthly premium: $0
In-network out-of-pocket maximum: $7,050
Out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum: $11,500
Primary copay: $0
Copay for specialist: $30
Braven Medicare Freedom (PPO)
Monthly premium: $35
In-network out-of-pocket maximum: $6,825
Out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum: $9,500
Primary copay: $0
Copay for specialist: $20
Braven Medicare Choice (PPO)
Monthly premium: $0
In-network out-of-pocket maximum: $7,050
Out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum: $11,500
Primary copay: $0
Copay for specialist: $30
Your healthcare and financial considerations are the most important part of finding a Medicare Advantage plan. Enrollment in a plan may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a special enrollment period or you are in your Medicare Initial Election Period. Working with a licensed Chapter Medicare agent can help you feel confident in your choice of plan. We compare all your Medicare plan options from different insurance carriers, including Braven Health, to make sure that you enroll in the right one for your unique situation.
Call 855-900-2427 TTY 711 Mon-Fri, 9AM to 9PM ET to speak with a licensed agent or schedule a time to chat.
The information on this page is presented for general informational purposes only. Chapter and its affiliates do not represent Braven Health and are not under contract to market or otherwise offer Braven Health insurance products. Chapter and its affiliates do not receive commissions or any other form of compensation from Braven Health.
