Medicare in Indiana

Original Medicare eligibility does not vary by state since it is a federally-run program. If you are 65 or older then you should be eligible. If you didn’t work or pay Medicare taxes while working, you can still get Medicare but it will be more expensive since you will not have access to premium-free Part A.

There are some rare conditions that can qualify you for Medicare coverage before you turn 65, like if you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or end stage renal disease.

If you are eligible for Original Medicare, then you should also be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans, which are available through private insurance companies, vary by location but often include additional benefits and coverage beyond what Original Medicare offers.

You will also be eligible to purchase supplemental insurance, or Medigap. Indianans should have a six-month window to get Medigap, which can help handle some of the expenses of Medicare like deductibles or coinsurance. Medigap cannot be paired with Medicare Advantage.

You should also be eligible for Part D prescription drug plans, which are often included as part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Original Medicare does not vary by state since it is a federal program, so all Indianans will be covered in the same way.

Original Medicare consists of Parts A and B, which handle inpatient and outpatient care. Part A is premium-free if you have worked, but Part B comes with a premium regardless of your work history.

In 2023, the Part B premium was $164.90, but this can be higher depending on your level of income.

According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there are 146 Medicare Advantage plans available in Indiana in 2023. Your options are growing, with only 133 such plans being available in 2022.

One hundred percent of Indianans with Medicare also have access to a Medicare Advantage plan. Since these plans are from private insurance companies, the price varies plan-to-plan. The average monthly premium in Indiana in 2023 is $12.50.

Many Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D drug coverage, but you can get Part D as a standalone plan as well. There are 30 standalone plans in Indiana.

You’ll also have access to Medigap plans but remember that they can only be paired with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage.

You typically become eligible for Medicare when you turn 65. You will have a six-month window to officially enroll, starting the three months leading up to your 65th birthday and ending the three months after.

If you are already receiving Social Security benefits then you should be automatically enrolled.

You can sign up for Medicare by calling 1-800-772-1213 or going online. Medicare Advantage plans are provided through private insurers so you will get your coverage through them, unlike Original Medicare which is a federal program.

Medicare Advantage plan availability varies by your city or county so make sure you are looking for a plan available where you live.

Indianans have a lot of options when it comes to Medicare Advantage, with 126 plans available statewide. According to the U.S. News & World Report, several plans that also include Part D prescription drug coverage stand out among the rest.

Medicare Advantage plans often offer benefits and perks that go beyond the scope of Original Medicare. A UnitedHealthcare plan offers foot treatment and routine foot care, as well as out-of-network options for many of its services.

AARP plans can offer wellness programs and mental health services. And like other Medicare Advantage options, IU Health Plans offer some vision and dental benefits.

There can be a lot of variation among Medicare Advantage plans as far as what additional benefits are covered, so be sure to look for a plan that caters to your specific needs or interests.