Explore your options
Compare options, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and prescription plans.
Find a Licensed Medicare agent in Tennessee
Connect with Medicare agents in Tennessee
Noah Wilson
Toni Aldridge
Kevin Hatfield
Shannon Davis
Tyler Eby
Kayla Torry
Brandon Kauffman
Calvin Fritz
Sara Morrissey
Matt Willenborg
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 Tennessee
In Tennessee, 52% of all Medicare enrollees have a Medicare Advantage plan. The other 48% rely on Original Medicare for their health care needs.
Original Medicare consists of Part A and Part B coverage. Part A includes inpatient care at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, as well as hospice care. Part B includes routine medical care and outpatient services.
Original Medicare doesn't include prescription drug coverage. For that, you must sign up for a Part D plan from a private insurer, or you can select a Medicare Advantage plan that also includes Part D coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance plans that take the place of Original Medicare. They cover the same things as Original Medicare but often offer additional benefits. Some plans include coverage for vision, dental, and hearing care, which Original Medicare does not. While these plans may offer extra benefits, they also come with limitations. They use provider networks rather than allowing you to see any doctor (nationwide) that accepts Medicare. They also may require prior authorization for some covered services and equipment.
How to apply for Medicare in Tennessee?
Medicare eligibility in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 I look for when choosing Medicare guidance in Tennessee?
You should look for guidance that helps you understand the differences between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D coverage. Also, seek help matching your specific health and budget needs to the available options to find the right fit for you. If you already have doctors you're comfortable with, you should verify that they're covered under the coverage option you select. It's also wise to get some guidance on out-of-pocket costs so you can plan accordingly. Chapter's Tennessee Medicare Advisors can help you compare options based on your doctors, prescriptions, costs, and coverage preferences.
How can where I live in Tennessee affect Medicare Advantage provider networks?
Medicare Advantage consists of plans offered by private insurers. Individual insurers may offer plans in some Tennessee counties but not others. If you move to a different county while enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to make changes to your coverage.
What Medicare cost assistance is available to eligible Tennessee residents?
Residents of Tennessee with limited resources and income often qualify for Medicare Savings Programs to reduce costs. Options include the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary, and Qualified Individual programs. The Extra Help program can also help cover the costs of Part D coverage. Tennessee residents who qualify for Medicaid, get help from their state paying their Part B premiums, or receive Supplemental Security Income typically qualify for Extra Help automatically.
What should I know about Medicare Supplement plans in Tennessee?
Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, work with Original Medicare to pay for your share of costs (out-of-pocket costs). Signing up for a Medigap plan doesn't limit you to a provider network like Medicare Advantage does. You can still see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide. The premiums of Medigap plans vary based on where you live and how the insurance company prices the plan.
