Vermont has an older-than-average population, so Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to beneficiaries. With more than 149,900 Vermont beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, we’ll cover some important information below about Medicare in Vermont. We want to help you better understand your options and make the decision-process as seamless as possible once you’re ready to enroll in Medicare or discover different coverage options.
Vermont Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
For more information on how you can save money on your out-of-pocket costs with a Part C, Part D, or Medigap plan, please click the plans below to learn more. Licensed agents can also answer any of your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget by clicking here.
Vermont Medicare Enrollments
Original Medicare Plans (Part A and B)
Medicare Advantage & Other Health Plans
Stand-alone Medicare Part D (Drug Plans)
Total Medicare Beneficiaries in Vermont
Who Qualifies for Medicare in Vermont?
Medicare covers most Vermont residents who are 65 or older, and it also covers disabled Vermont residents. In general, Medicare enrollment in Vermont works the same way as it does in the rest of the country. If you qualify for Original Medicare, also known as Part A and Part B, it will help cover 80% of your health care costs.
When you’re first eligible for Medicare, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. If you’re eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that:
- Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
- Includes the month you turn 65
- Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65
In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty. You’ll be responsible for paying this penalty for as long as you have Part B, and you could have a gap in your health coverage.
Once you reach Medicare eligibility, you can begin choosing additional coverage options to help pay for the remaining 20% of your medical expenses through Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medigap, and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan.
Local Medicare Health Plan Resources in Vermont
Vermont’s State Health Insurance Program is a free counseling service that provides information, assistance, and support to Medicare beneficiaries who need help selecting or managing public and/or private health insurance benefits. This service is organized through Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging and is available to all seniors eligible for Medicare, as well as their family members and caregivers.
Contact: Call 800-642-5119 or through any local branch of Vermont’s Area Agencies on AgingVermont Health Connect is Vermont’s health insurance marketplace, serving all qualified individuals as well as seniors in need of Medicare or Medicaid support. The Senior HelpLine can answer your questions, including how to enroll in Medicare. They can also help you choose a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan that works best for you.
Contact: Call 1-855-899-9600Vermont Legal Aid is a nonprofit organization that provides fair and unbiased legal support for low-income citizens of the state of Vermont. In addition to more standard civil legal services, Vermont Legal Aid also offers Medicare support.
Contact: Call 1-800-917-7787 or through the organization’s online Help Request Form.Green Mountain Care is a division of Health Access Member Services of the Department of Vermont Health Access. Green Mountain Care provides information on low-cost and free health coverage programs offered by the state of Vermont and its partners. Green Mountain Care programs include Medicaid for the Aged, Blind or Disabled (MABD), Medicaid for Children and Adults (includes Dr. Dynasaur), Choices for Care, Long-Term Care, and Prescription Assistance.
Contact: Call 1-800-250-8427 or online using the help request form.The Central Vermont Council on Aging is one of Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging serving the Central Vermont region, including the capital of Montpelier. Central Vermont Council on Aging provides information, counseling, and assistance to all Medicare-eligible persons under the auspices of the State Health Insurance & Assistance Program or “SHIP”.
The staff counsels individuals and provides workshops to the public on Medicare. They can answer your questions about Medicare, private insurance plans, supplemental insurance plans, and Vermont State insurance programs. They also offer regularly scheduled “Medicare & You” workshops to the public in locations convenient to you.
Contact: Call 802-479-0531 to schedule Zoom workshop meetings and Medicare Part D counseling sessions. The Council also provides a website help form. The senior helpline number is 1-800-642-5119.Senior Solutions is the Area Agency on Aging designated to serve older adults in the southeastern region of Vermont. The agency provides a wide variety of services to older adults within the 46-town service area, giving priority to those with the greatest social and economic needs. This is attained through a comprehensive and coordinated system of information and referral, home-based assistance, case management, nutrition services, and many community partners.
Contact: Call 802-885-2669, toll-free 1-866-673-8376, 802-885-2655, or email info@seniorsolutionsvt.org
The licensed agents that are partnered with Timefor65 can help you compare the availability, benefits, and costs of Medicare plans in your specific region of Vermont. Our process makes it easier for you to access your Medicare eligibility in Vermont so that you receive personalized, affordable, and easy-to-use coverage options and solutions. Fill out the form or give us a call at (866) 327‑0148 anytime to get a free quote or to ask any questions.