Medicare Plans in New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers a variety of Medicare options, but sorting through them to find the right coverage can be overwhelming. We don’t think it should be. We’ve provided a guide to help you navigate the Medicare plans available in New Hampshire to find the right plan for you.
Who’s eligible for a Medicare Plans in New Hampshire?
You must be eligible for Social Security benefits to qualify for Medicare. Most people first become Medicare eligible when they reach 65 years of age.
If you’re 65 or older, you can qualify for Medicare if:
- You’re a citizen or permanent resident (having lived in the US for at least 5 years), and
- You or your spouse have worked for 10 years at a job that paid towards your Medicare through Social Security deductions.
If you’re under 65 you can qualify for Medicare if you:
- Have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or
- Have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months.
We can help if you’re unsure about your eligibility for Medicare plans in New Hampshire or will be turning 65 within the next six months. View plans in your area online or talk to a licensed insurance agent by calling the number above.
What are the Medicare Plans in New Hampshire?
Orginial Medicare Part A & Part B
Original Medicare is the government sponsored component of Medicare and has two parts:
Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient services, like hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and nursing home care (as long as custodial care isn’t the only care needed).
Part B (Medical Insurance) covers outpatient health care needed to treat your medical condition. Services and supplies covered by Part B include mental health care, ambulance services, and durable medical equipment (e.g., canes, blood sugar monitors, and walkers). Part B also covers some services that prevent illnesses or detect them at an early stage, like flu shots, cardiovascular screenings, and diabetes screenings.
Services generally not covered by Original Medicare include:
- Long term care (custodial care)
- Most outpatient prescription drugs
- Hearing aids
- Eye exams and eyeglasses
- Most dental care and dentures
- Routine foot care
- Cosmetic surgery
- Acupuncture
For this reason, Medicare Advantage plans are available in New Hampshire, to ensure that you have options and find the right coverage for your needs.
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and work as an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). These plans must provide the same coverage as Original Medicare (with the exception of hospice care, which remains covered by Part A). They can also provide additional benefits, such as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans.
To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must first be enrolled in both parts of Original Medicare. Premiums for these plans can start at $0, increasing with the level of coverage selected. You’ll need to continue paying your Part B premium in addition to your Part C premium.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
Prescription Drug coverage is generally not covered by Original Medicare or Medigap Plans. Stand-alone Prescription Drug plans, offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies, work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to add prescription drug coverage. With these plans, a tier system is used to grade medications, and copays/coinsurance for each medication are set in accordance with their tiers. Drugs graded in the lowest tiers have the lowest copays/coinsurance, and vice versa. Each plan provides a drug formulary for you to see which tier(s) your medications fall into. This allows you to compare plans and select one with the best overall value for your specific prescription needs.
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement plans add an additional layer of coverage to your Original Medicare by filling in coverage gaps. Medigap plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and work alongside your Original Medicare to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by paying certain healthcare costs, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
When Can I Enroll In A Plan?
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
You are first eligible to sign up for Medicare plans in New Hampshire during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP starts three months before your 65th birthday month and continues for an additional three months. This means you have a total of seven months to enroll.
Following this period, you will be able to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug coverage during the Annual Election Period (AEP). This period occurs once per year, from October 15th to December 7th.
Medicare Initial Enrollment Period
7-Month Initial Enrollment Period | Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
*Signing up for Parts A and B during months 5,6, and 7 may result in delayed coverage.
KEY FACT: The General Enrollment Period provides you an opportunity to enroll in Original Medicare if you missed your IEP. This period occurs every year from January 1st to March 31st. Then, you’ll have an opportunity to select a Medicare Advantage Plan from April 1st through June 30th.
Additional Medicare Resources in New Hampshire
ServiceLink is a program of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human services that provides individuals with access to services and assistance with their health insurance.
The Medicare Beneficiaries Savings Program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income seniors or disabled individuals. The program can help pay for certain medical expenses, such as premiums and deductibles.
Sources: Medicare.gov; www.servicelink.nh.gov; www.dhhs.nh.gov