Explore your options
Compare options, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and prescription plans.
Find a Licensed Medicare agent in Virginia
Connect with Medicare agents in Virginia
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 Virginia
In Virginia, Original Medicare is most popular and is the choice of 62% of all Medicare beneficiaries in the state. Medicare Advantage plans cover the remaining 38% of beneficiaries.
Original Medicare does not cover prescriptions. There are two ways that Virginia Medicare beneficiaries can receive prescription drug coverage. One is through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage (as many do). The other is through a standalone Part D (prescription drug) plan. Part D prescription drug coverage varies widely between plans. Always check that the coverage you choose covers the prescriptions you need at a price you can afford.
People on Original Medicare can choose to add a Medicare Supplement plan to their coverage. These plans are also commonly called Medigap plans. Medigap plans significantly reduce beneficiaries out-of-pocket costs, allowing planholders to have financial predictability and not worry about how much going to the doctor will cost them.
Virginia Medicare Supplement plans are priced differently: either Issue-Age-Rated, Attained-Age-Rated, or Community-Rated. Policies with an Age Rating have premiums based on your current (attained) age or when you sign up for a policy (issue age). With Attained Age Rating policies, insurers can increase your premiums as you age. Some insurers issue policies based on Community Ratings, where all enrollees in a given area pay the same premiums regardless of age, health, or gender.
How to apply for Medicare in Virginia?
Medicare eligibility in Virginia 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 Virginia 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 evaluate my options in Virginia?
A licensed Medicare Agent in Virginia is trained to help you understand your medical needs, compare available Medicare options, and enroll in a plan. Chapter's Virginia Medicare agents can give you free, personalized support to choose the best plan for your needs and enroll in coverage when you need to. You can schedule a free consultation or call Chapter at (855) 900-2427, and they'll be happy to answer your questions.
Why can Medicare Advantage choices differ across regions of Virginia?
The private insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans design policies for specific areas within the state. That means each county may have different plan availability. Insurers may offer specific plans in some counties but not others. Plan provider networks will also vary by plan.
Can moving between Virginia counties or independent cities affect my Medicare Advantage or Part D options?
Yes, moving to different counties and cities in Virginia may affect your Medicare Advantage or Part D options. In both situations, you'd qualify for a Special Enrollment Period lasting two full months after the month of your move to make appropriate policy changes. If you notify your insurer in advance, your Special Enrollment Period would begin a full month before your move and continue for two full months after your move. You also qualify for the Special Enrollment Period if your move was within your plan's service area but you now have additional options you didn’t have before.
How does Virginia's Medigap birthday rule work?
Virginia's Medigap birthday rule allows residents who already have a Medigap policy to switch to another plan with the same benefits (e.g., from a Plan G with one insurance carrier to a Plan G with a different carrier) during a 60-day period starting on their birthday each year. They can switch insurance companies and cannot be denied coverage or charged higher premiums because of their health history. This gives residents a chance to compare plans and potentially find a lower premium without losing their current benefits.
