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Compare options, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and prescription plans.
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Connect with Medicare agents in Nebraska
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
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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 Nebraska
In Nebraska, Original Medicare remains the top coverage choice among eligible residents. 66% of people on Medicare remain on Original Medicare. The remaining 34% are on a Medicare Advantage plan.
Because Original Medicare does not include prescription drug coverage, beneficiaries can obtain Medicare Part D through a standalone Part D policy. Part D can also be obtained through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D (sometimes called an MAPD plan). You should always check that the plan you are relying on for prescriptions covers your medications at a price you can afford.
Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) plans are offered by private insurance companies to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. There are ten Medigap plan types, each named by a letter from A-N. Policies of the same letter type will always provide the same benefits, regardless of the price of the policy or the insurance carrier that offers them.
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision, and hearing care unless they are determined to be medically necessary. However, many Medicare Advantage plans cover these additional care areas.
While Medicare Advantage plans may provide prescription drug coverage and other benefits that Original Medicare does not, they also come with limitations. Medicare Advantage plans limit full coverage to care received from in-network providers. They also frequently use prior authorization, which may limit your access to care.
How to apply for Medicare in Nebraska?
Medicare eligibility in Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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
Is it free to get help from a Medicare agent in Nebraska?
Nebraska residents can get free help from Chapter's licensed Medicare agents. A call to Chapter at (855) 900-2427 is all it takes to get started. Nebraskans can ask any questions or schedule a free consultation. Chapter's Nebraska Medicare agents provide professional support throughout the Medicare enrollment process. Chapter’s Medicare Advocates then provide extended support after you choose your coverage to ensure you always get the most from your Medicare.
How can rural Nebraska residents evaluate Medicare Advantage provider networks?
While people on Original Medicare can see any doctor that accepts Medicare nationwide, if you enroll in Medicare Advantage, you need to be more aware of provider networks. Nebraskans should always check that their doctors and preferred facilities participate in the provider network of the Medicare Advantage plans they choose. Choosing a plan that doesn't include your doctors can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs or complete lack of coverage. This is particularly important to know if you live in a less populated area. Because rural areas, on average, have fewer providers than urban areas, residents often need to travel to get the care they need.
When can Nebraska residents first enroll in Medicare?
Most Nebraskans are first able to enroll in Medicare during their Initial Enrollment Period. Medicare Initial Enrollment starts three months before the month they turn 65, includes their birth month, and continues for three months afterward. Some Nebraskans may qualify to enroll earlier if they have certain disabilities or conditions, like End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Nebraskans already collecting Social Security retirement benefits at least four months before turning 65 are generally automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, while others may need to sign up themselves.
What should Nebraska residents know about Medicare Supplement plans?
Private insurers offer Medicare Supplement plans (often also called Medigap plans) to help those on Original Medicare reduce out-of-pocket expenses for covered services. The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the best time for most people to enroll in a Medigap plan. It begins the first month someone is both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. If you enroll outside of this period without a guaranteed issue right, insurance companies may charge you more or deny your application based on your health history.
