Medicare Plans in Arizona
We’ve created this guide to help you navigate the Medicare plans available in Arizona and help you find the right coverage.
Who’s eligible for Medicare Plans in Arizona?
Medicare is a federally sponsored health insurance program, serving people 65 and older and people under the age of 65 with a qualifying disability or illness. Most people qualify for Medicare when they reach 65 years of age. People under the age of 65 may qualify for Medicare if they have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months.
You must be a US citizen or permanent resident, having lived in the US for at least 5 years to be eligible for Medicare. Additionally, you or your spouse must have worked at a job that contributed to Medicare by way of Social Security deductions for at least 10 years.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility for Medicare plans in Arizona or will be turning 65 in the coming months, we can help. Speak with a licensed insurance agent by giving us a call at the number above.
What are the Medicare Plans in Arizona?
Orginial Medicare Part A & Part B
Original Medicare is the federal part of Medicare and has two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Part A covers inpatient care, like hospital admissions, hospice, and certain nursing home care. Part B covers outpatient care, like services and supplies need to treat your medical condition and some preventative care.
Original Medicare does not typically cover dental or vision care, nor hearing exams/hearing aids. Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for paying a portion of their medical bills through coinsurance, copays, and deductibles. For this reason, there Medicare options available through private insurance companies to ensure that you get the coverage you want.
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
Private insurance companies, contracted with Medicare, offer Medicare Advantage plans. These plans work as an alternative to Original Medicare Part A and Part B and often include additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans must provide the same coverage as Original Medicare except for hospice care, which is still covered by Medicare Part A. These plans often include dental and vision coverage, and some plans, called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans, also include prescription drug coverage.
To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must first be enrolled in both Parts A and B of Original Medicare. If enrolled, you’ll continue paying your Part B premium in addition to this plan’s premium.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Prescription Drug plans, is available through and coordinated by private insurance companies that are contracted with Medicare. These plans provide coverage for prescription medications, which generally are not covered by Original Medicare or Medigap plans. Any beneficiary can sign-up for Medicare Part D as long as they are eligible for Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B and permanently reside in the service area of a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Medicare Prescription Drug coverage is optional, but, you might pay a late-enrollment penalty if you don’t enroll in Part D as soon as you’re eligible.
You can get Medicare Part D coverage as a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or with a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan. A stand alone plan works alongside your Original Medicare coverage.
Monthly plan premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs will vary from plan to plan.
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)
Designed to fill the coverage gaps in Original Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Supplement plans can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Also called Medigap plans, these plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and help to cover certain costs not covered by Original Medicare, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copays.
When Can I Enroll In A Plan?
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is your first chance to enroll in Medicare plans in Alabama. This IEP starts three months before your 65th birth month and continues for three months after your birth month. This means that you have seven months total to complete your enrollment.
Once your IEP ends, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plans during the Annual Election Period (AEP). The AEP occurs from October 15th to December 7th every year.
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 Arizona
Arizona’s Division of Aging And Adult Services (DAAS) is a free service that supports at-risk Arizonans to help meet their basic needs and live safely, with dignity and independence.
The Medicare Savings Program in Arizona is available to Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources to help pay for medical expenses, like premiums and deductibles.
Sources: Medicare.gov; www.azahcccs.gov; des.az.gov