April 17th 2024
By Ari Parker
Here’s a guide on searching for the best Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia. Learn about top plans and tips to guide you through your search.
By Ari Parker
In Georgia, 56% of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. And with 165 different Medicare Advantage plans available in the state, Medicare enrollees have many options to choose from. Medicare decisions can be overwhelming. We’re here to break down what to look for in a plan to make the process easier for you.
While there are highly-rated plans, there is no one best Medicare Advantage plan for everyone. Finding the plan for you requires a careful assessment of your healthcare and financial situation.
Insurance carriers that offer top plans in Georgia include BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare.
Like with all Medicare Advantage plans, the premiums, networks, and benefits of Georgia’s plans will vary. Below are some quick facts that will help you understand your options:
The average premium for a Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia is $16.50.
Of the 1.9 million Medicare beneficiaries in Georgia, 56% have a Medicare Advantage plan.
11 insurance providers offer Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia.
Medicare Advantage plans are a bundled, private health insurance option for Americans over 65. Some people with qualifying conditions may also be eligible for Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans often provide additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t. These can include:
Emergency travel insurance
Prescription drug coverage
Fitness and wellness memberships
Coverage for routine dental, vision, and hearing services
While they often come with good extra benefits, compared to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans can be restrictive and more costly. Private insurance companies manage Medicare Advantage plans, so they set their out-of-pocket costs. This leads to variance in the amount you pay for covered services. Additionally, most plans operate with provider networks. This means your healthcare providers need to be in network for you to receive full coverage.
If you’re shopping for Medicare Advantage plans, it’s important to know exactly what you’ll be paying for—from premiums to out-of-pocket costs. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Premiums: Whatever your monthly premium is, you’ll pay it on top of your Part B premium. There are $0-dollar premium Medicare Advantage plans you can look into. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer Part B premium give back benefits.
Out-of-pocket costs: Coinsurance, copays, and deductibles are set by the insurance provider. The good thing about Medicare Advantage plans is that they have out-of-pocket maximums.
In your search for the best Medicare Advantage plan, you may be wondering which plans have ranked highest among other Medicare beneficiaries. You can use the Medicare star rating system to compare the quality of plans. Every year, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) judges Medicare Advantage plans and rates them from 1-5 stars. A 5-star plan is the highest-quality plan and a 1-star plan is the lowest quality. Below, you’ll see insurance providers that carry 4.5 and 4 star plans in Georgia. There are no 5-star Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia as of 2024.
BlueCross Blueshield
Humana
UnitedHealthcare
Aetna
Cigna
Humana
UnitedHealthcare
Keep in mind that not every plan is available in every county in Georgia. Plus, a highly-rated plan doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best one for you. If it doesn’t cover your doctors and prescriptions or doesn’t fit your budgetary needs, even a top-rated plan won’t be the best option.
When browsing through Medicare Advantage plans, you’ll want to think about what’s best for your health and financial needs. Ask yourself the following questions:
What are your healthcare priorities? Make a list of your healthcare priorities including any care you need for chronic conditions, preventive care, and doctor visits. This can help you find a plan that includes the coverage you need at an affordable price.
What medications do you take? Take into account any prescription drugs you take regularly and your preferred pharmacy. This can help you find a Medicare Advantage plan that includes the coverage you need and saves you money on medications.
Which doctors are important to you? If there are healthcare providers and facilities that you prefer, make sure that they’re in your Medicare Advantage plan’s network.
What extra benefits are helpful to you? One of the big reasons people choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan is because of the added benefits they often include. Think through the different benefits, like dental coverage, vision coverage, and free gym memberships and take note of which would provide you with the most value.
While it’s important to do your own research, talking to a Medicare Advisor can help you feel confident in your Medicare decisions and understand your coverage to the full extent. Get in touch with a licensed Chapter Advisor today. Give us a call at 855-900-2427 or book a time to talk.
