Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to beneficiaries residing in Alabama. With more than a million Alabama beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, we’ll cover some very important information below about Medicare in Alabama. 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.
Who Qualifies for Medicare in Alabama?
Medicare covers most Alabama residents 65 years old or over, and it also covers disabled Alabama residents. Along with Kentucky and Mississippi, Alabama has the highest percentage of disabled Medicare beneficiaries in the country.
In general, Medicare enrollment in Alabama 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.
Alabama Medicare Enrollments At a Glance
Original Medicare Plans
(Part A and B)
Medicare Advantage & Other Health Plans
Stand-alone Medicare
Part D (Drug plans)
Total Medicare Beneficiaries
in Alabama
Alabama 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.
Alabama Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
More than 42% of Alabama Medicare beneficiaries select Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage plans are private, Medicare-approved insurance companies. They provide all of your Original Medicare benefits and often include extra benefits such as drug, dental, and vision coverage.
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries in Alabama who already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop their Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in Original Medicare.
As of 2020, 71 Medicare Advantage plans are available in Alabama. The average monthly Medicare Advantage premium changed from $15.20 in 2019 to $13.24 in 2020. $0 is the lowest monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan in Alabama.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as of May 2020, there are 482,544 beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage and other plans in Alabama. More than 42% of Alabama Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan in 2019. 100% of people with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Alabama Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance Plans
Access to Medigap plans is limited for Alabama enrollees under age 65.
Alabama doesn’t require Alabama Medigap insurers to offer plans to people under 65.
Medigap plans are used to supplement Original Medicare, covering some or all of the out-of-pocket costs (for coinsurance and deductibles) that beneficiaries would otherwise incur if they only had Original Medicare on its own. Typically, Medigap plans are popular for those who want little to no copay when they access healthcare services.
As of 2019, there are 36 insurers that offer Medigap plans in Alabama. Alabama has not adopted rules to ensure at least some access to Medigap plans for enrollees under the age of 65. Medicare beneficiaries who are under 65 can apply for a Medigap plan, but coverage is not guaranteed issue. Moreover, insurers can use medical underwriting to determine whether to issue a policy and at what price.
If you have Medicare prior to age 65 as a result of a disability, you’re qualified for an Open Enrollment period, upon turning age 65, during which you can select any Medigap plan, guaranteed-issue, from any insurer offering plans in your area.
Alabama Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Original Medicare doesn’t cover outpatient prescription drugs. However, Medicare beneficiaries can get prescription coverage via a Medicare Advantage plan, an employer-sponsored plan (offered by a current or former employer), or a stand-alone Part D plan. Medigap plans don’t cover prescription drugs unless they’re covered under Part B.
As of 2020, There are 323,009 Medicare beneficiaries in Alabama enrolled in stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans and 458,722 enrolled in Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans. For 2019 coverage, there are 29 stand-alone Part D plans available in Alabama, with premiums ranging from about $16 to $120 per month.
When deciding on a Part D plan, it’s important to evaluate several factors such as each plan’s premium, formulary, and copays since every plan is different. Learn how you can save money on your out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap plan fill out this form or give us a call.
Get Your Free 2021 Guide to Medicare
Local Medicare Health Plan Resources in Alabama
Alabama State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP): SHIP coordinators are available to help beneficiaries who have questions about Medicare. The coordinators also provide information on which programs and plans are available to Alabama residents and how to file a complaint regarding care from a Medicare provider.
Contact: Call (800) 243-5463Alabama Prescription Drug Assistance Programs: The program saves thousands of Alabamians millions of dollars in medication expenses by providing free or low-cost prescription drugs from pharmaceutical manufacturers. SenioRx is a program for Alabamians who are age 55 and older and for persons with disabilities, who are diagnosed with chronic medical conditions requiring daily medication.
Contact: Call 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463)KEPRO: KEPRO is Medicare’s Beneficiary and Family-Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization. KEPRO is a diversified healthcare information company that emphasizes excellence in customer service.
Contact: Visit the KEPRO website to file a complaint or appeal your Medicare services or coverage
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 Alabama. Our process makes it easier for you to access your Medicare eligibility in Alabama 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.