Explore your options
Compare options, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and prescription plans.
Find a Licensed Medicare agent in Idaho
Connect with Medicare agents in Idaho
Toni Aldridge
Kevin Hatfield
Shannon Davis
Tyler Eby
Kayla Torry
Brandon Kauffman
Calvin Fritz
Sara Morrissey
Matt Willenborg
Ariel De Jesus
Why work with a Medicare agent
Enroll in Medicare
Get the help you need to enroll in Medicare, from Original Medicare to supplemental coverage.
Use your coverage
Receive extended support to help you use your plan effectively, find doctors, and get savings.
A Snapshot of Medicare in Idaho
About 51% of Idahoans who are eligible for Medicare have Original Medicare. The remaining 49% have Medicare Advantage or other Medicare health plans. Knowing how these two distinct options work can help you decide which type of coverage makes the most sense for you.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs. Idaho residents can get prescription drug coverage either through a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D drug coverage. Since plans differ in what medications they cover and how much they cost, you should carefully compare your options based on the amount you’d pay for your prescriptions before enrolling.
Original Medicare doesn't have a yearly limit on out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans help reduce these expenses by paying some or all of: deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Finding a nearby pharmacy can be difficult in rural areas of Idaho. Some Medicare drug plans offer mail-order services, so residents can get their prescriptions delivered to their homes. Preferred pharmacies vary by plan, and using a preferred pharmacy (or mail order) can help you save on your prescriptions.
How to apply for Medicare in Idaho?
Medicare eligibility in Idaho follows the same nationwide rules as everywhere else in the country. You qualify for Medicare as a US citizen if you meet one of these criteria:
- You're 65 or older
- You have a qualifying disability, such as End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS
- You've received SSDI for 24 months or more
Enrolling in Idaho takes three key steps:
- Sign up for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
- Decide on your supplemental coverage:
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Part D (prescription drug coverage)
- Confirm your doctors are in network, update your pharmacy with your new plan, and activate any additional benefits included with your coverage
FAQs
How can a Medicare agent help me compare coverage in Idaho?
Chapter’s Idaho Medicare agents can help Idaho residents compare plans based on their healthcare needs, budget, preferred doctors, and prescription medications. They can also explain enrollment periods, coverage options, and costs to help you find a plan that works best for you. Schedule a free consultation or call Chapter at (855) 900-2427 to speak with a licensed Medicare agent.
How does Idaho's Medigap birthday rule work?
If you have a Medigap policy, you should keep the birthday rule in mind. Every year, starting on your birthday, you have a 63-day window to switch to another Medigap plan. The only rule is your new plan must have equal or fewer benefits (meaning you cannot go from a Plan N to a Plan G).
What should rural Idaho residents consider when comparing Medicare Advantage with Original Medicare?
If you live in rural Idaho, it's important to check which doctors and hospitals you can use and how much you'll pay for care. Original Medicare covers any provider who accepts Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks. Some Medicare Advantage plans only cover services you receive from in-network doctors while others allow you to see out-of-network doctors for a higher cost.
Can Medicare coverage be used outside Idaho?
With Original Medicare, you can visit any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans use provider networks, so you may have to pay more for non-emergency care outside your plan's service area. If you travel outside Idaho often, it may be best to stay on Original Medicare and consider adding a Medigap plan to reduce your costs and remain covered wherever you travel within the US.
