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Noah Wilson
Toni Aldridge
Kevin Hatfield
Shannon Davis
Tyler Eby
Kayla Torry
Brandon Kauffman
Calvin Fritz
Sara Morrissey
Matt Willenborg
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A Snapshot of Medicare in Kentucky
In Kentucky, a slight majority of Medicare enrollees choose Medicare Advantage plans. They account for 54% of all Medicare enrollees in the state, while the remaining 46% choose Original Medicare for their coverage.
Most Kentucky residents become eligible to enroll in Medicare when they turn 65. Their Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before they turn 65, includes their birthday month, and ends three months afterward. Some Kentucky residents may qualify for Medicare before age 65 because of certain disabilities.
Original Medicare doesn't include prescription drug coverage, but you can sign up for a separate Medicare Part D plan from a private insurer. Most Medicare Advantage plans, however, include Part D coverage.
Kentucky residents who are still working when they reach age 65 may be able to keep their qualifying employer-provided health coverage and delay enrollment in Medicare Part B without penalty. Once they retire or otherwise lose qualifying coverage, they may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B and avoid a late enrollment penalty.
How to apply for Medicare in Kentucky?
Medicare eligibility in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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
What should Kentucky residents compare before choosing Medicare coverage?
When weighing Medicare options, Kentuckians should consider total costs, provider networks, and prescription drug coverage options. If you're considering Medicare Advantage plans, look at additional benefits like vision, dental, and hearing care. These factors can help you decide whether Original Medicare, with optional add-ons like Medigap and Part D coverage, is a better fit than a Medicare Advantage plan. Chapter's licensed Kentucky Medicare Advisors can offer free guidance to Kentuckians evaluating their Medicare options.
What assistance is available to Kentucky residents for Medicare premiums or other costs?
There are multiple Medicare Savings Programs that income-eligible Kentucky residents may qualify for. The primary programs are the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, the Qualified Individual (QI) program, and the Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) program. These programs can help with Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and, depending on the program, other Medicare costs. Some Kentucky residents with limited income and resources may also qualify for the Extra Help program, which helps pay Medicare Part D costs.
How can living in rural Kentucky affect Medicare Advantage provider networks?
Medicare Advantage plans are available by county, so the options available to Kentucky residents can vary depending on where they live. People in rural areas across the US generally have fewer Medicare Advantage plan options than people in urban areas. Medicare Advantage plans may also have provider networks and service-area requirements, so rural residents should check whether their preferred doctors and hospitals participate in a plan before enrolling.
Should Kentucky residents with Original Medicare consider a Medigap plan?
Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement plans, are private insurance plans that help pay health care costs Original Medicare doesn't cover. Medigap policies are standardized by letter, and policies with the same letter provide the same benefits regardless of the insurance company. Premiums vary by insurer, so Kentucky residents should compare available policies and costs when considering Medigap coverage.
