Medicare Plans in Delaware

Medicare Plans in Delaware

Whether you’re newly qualified or have been enrolled for a while, sorting through the Medicare plans available in Delaware can be stressful. We don’t think it has to be! Delaware provide Medicare plan options to choose from, and MedicareMatchup is here to help you find the right coverage.

Who’s eligible for a Medicare Plans in Delaware?

Medicare is a government-sponsored program that provides healthcare benefits to those who qualify. For most people, eligibility for Medicare plans in Delaware starts at age 65. It’s also possible to qualify for Medicare under 65 if you’ve received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months or if you have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

To qualify, you must be a permanent resident or citizen, having lived in the US for the past 5 years. You or your spouse must have worked for 10 years in a job that contributed to Medicare through Social Security deductions.

We can help if you’re unsure about your eligibility. Speak with a licensed insurance agent now by calling the number above.

What are the Medicare Plans in Delaware?

Orginial Medicare Part A & Part B

Original Medicare is the federally sponsored portion of Medicare and is comprised of two parts: Parts A and B.

Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient services, like hospital care, hospice care, and care received at a skilled nursing facility.

Part B (Medical Insurance) covers outpatient medical services, like ambulance services, and certain supplies, like blood sugar monitors and walkers. Part B also covers some preventive care services like flu shots and cardiovascular screenings.

It’s important to note that Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything. Medicare beneficiaries still pay for part of their medical bills through coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments. For this reason, the options available through private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare, so that you can find the coverage that’s right for you.

Medicare Advantage Plans   (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and are an alternative to Original Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Part C plans must cover the same things as Original Medicare, but, may also include additional benefits, like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans.

You must first be enrolled in both parts of Original Medicare before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. If enrolled, you’ll need to continue paying your Part B premium along with the premium charged by this Part C plan.

You can read more about Medicare Advantage plans here.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)

Prescription drugs are generally not covered by Original Medicare nor Medigap plans. Medicare Part D, also called Medicare Precription Drug plans, are available through private insurance companies contracted with Medicare to offer this coverage. Medicare Prescription Drug plans assign each drug a set copay/coinsurance which you can review before selecting a plan

Any beneficiary who is eligible for Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B, and is a permanent resident of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan service area, can sign-up for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Part D coverage is optional, but if you don’t enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug plan as soon as you’re eligible, you might pay a late-enrollment penalty if you enroll later.

Beneficiaries can get Part D coverage with a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if they’re enrolled in Original Medicare, or, with a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD). A stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan works alongside Original Medicare. A MAPD plan is a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug benefits. Different insurers offer different types of plans, so your monthly plan premium and out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs will vary from plan to plan.

You can learn more about Prescription Drug plans here.

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)

Medicare Supplement plans work to fill the gaps in Original Medicare Part A and B coverage. Medigap plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and work alongside Original Medicare. These plans can help reduce out-of-pocket costs by paying for things that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.

You can find more information about Medicare Supplement plans here.

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 Delaware during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP starts three months before the month of your 65th birthday and continues for three months after. This gives you a total of seven months to enroll.

After this period, you can alter your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug coverage yearly during the Annual Election Period (AEP). This period starts on October 15th and ends on December 7th each 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.

Medicare Supplement Plans

Enrolling during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ensures access to the Medicare Supplement plan of your choice. For Medigap plans, your Initial Enrollment Period is a six-month period that starts at the beginning of the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Important Note: If you fail to enroll during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, carriers can increase premiums or deny you coverage entirely.

Special Enrollment Periods

Certain life events, including moving into or out of a care facility, losing your insurance, or moving outside of your current plan’s coverage area, may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. A Special Enrollment Period allows you to make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug plan outside of the periods mentioned above. Our licensed insurance agents can help determine if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

How Can I Compare Plans?

MedicareMatchup provides a convenient way to compare the Medicare plans available in Delaware and help you find the right coverage. Give us a call us today to speak to a licensed insurance agent, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET, or see plan information online by using the form below.

Additional Medicare Resources in Delaware

The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) provides free, confidential counseling and resources for Medicare beneficiaries and their representatives.

Delaware’s Medicare Savings Program is available to Medicare beneficiaries whose income falls below a certain level to help pay for medical expenses, like premiums and deductibles.

Sources: Medicare.gov; delaware.gov