For individuals aged 65 and older or those with disabilities or certain health conditions, Medicare in Tennessee offers comprehensive health insurance coverage. By exploring various options, you can find the health coverage that best suits your needs, whether it’s original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare in Tennessee Details:
- Total enrollment in Medicare: 1,441,441 residents of Tennessee.
- Average Medicare Advantage monthly premium: Increased from $17.53 in 2023 to $18.29 in 2024.
- Number of Medicare Advantage plans available: 123 plans in 2024, compared to 129 plans in 2023.
- Access to Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums for all Tennessee residents with Medicare.
Medicare Options in Tennessee:
- Original Medicare:
- Automatically enrolled at age 65.
- Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, and limited home healthcare.
- Part B covers medical care, including annual physical examinations, blood work, X-rays, durable medical equipment, and emergency ambulance services.
- Medicare Advantage in Tennessee:
- Part C plans from private health insurance carriers.
- Basic coverage of original Medicare with additional services like drug coverage, hearing tests, dental care, or wellness programs.
- Plans offered by various carriers such as Aetna Medicare, Amerigroup, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare.
- Medicare Supplement Plans in Tennessee:
- Also known as Medigap, covers deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
- Offered by companies including BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Colonial Penn, Farm Bureau Health Plans, Humana, Oxford Life, State Farm, UnitedHealthcare, and USAA.
Medicare Enrollment in Tennessee:
- Eligibility requirements: Resident of Tennessee, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, age 65 or have a disability, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at any age.
- Two enrollment periods: General enrollment (January 1 – March 31) and open enrollment (October 15 – December 7).
- Initial enrollment period starts 3 months before and ends 3 months after your 65th birthday.
- Special enrollment period for those with employer insurance and other qualifying life changes.
Tips for Enrolling in Medicare in Tennessee:
- Consider coverage needs, preferred physicians, medications, and CMS star ratings.
- Evaluate plans based on the healthcare services you access and additional services you desire.
- Check with your preferred physician to ensure they accept the insurance carrier.
- Review drug coverage options to ensure your prescriptions are covered.
Tennessee Medicare Resources:
- Medicare: Contact for coverage inquiries and assistance with enrollment.
- Tennessee SHIP: Reach for free, confidential Medicare information, counseling, and resources on preventing Medicare fraud.
- Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability: Call for information on Medicare, the SHIP program, elder abuse prevention, and long-term care concerns.
Takeaway: Whether you choose original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans with supplemental drug coverage, Tennessee offers a range of coverage options to meet your healthcare needs.