How to Find the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Oklahoma
Finding the right health coverage becomes especially important as you retire and get older. This is because, as we age, we naturally experience more health issues. Having the right coverage to satisfy your healthcare needs without breaking the bank is a key focus as people transition into Medicare. In Oklahoma, there are 778,000 people on Medicare. Medicare recipients have different Medicare coverage options, and about 40% of them choose a Medicare Advantage plan vs Original Medicare.
While the number of Medicare Advantage plans available to you depends on the county you live in, there are up to 41 plans available across the state. We understand that it can be difficult to compare your options and weed out the ones that don’t work for you. In this guide, we’ll go over how to compare your options and enroll in the best Oklahoma Medicare Advantage plan for you.
Key takeaways:
The best Medicare Advantage plan in Oklahoma is different for everyone. Your best option depends on available plans and your unique needs.
Highly-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Oklahoma include options from Aetna, GlobalHealth, and Humana.
Talk to a Medicare Advisor at Chapter for guidance in finding the right Medicare Advantage plan for your personal needs.
Facts about Medicare Advantage in Oklahoma
Keep in mind that plan availability and pricing varies from one county to the next. For example, someone in Tulsa County may have a different set of plans to choose from compared to someone in Jefferson County. That said, below are some general facts about 2024 Medicare Advantage plans in Oklahoma to help you get a sense of your options.
Monthly premiums for Medicare Advantage plans in Oklahoma can range from $17 to $30.
There are 12 insurance providers that carry Medicare Advantage plans in Oklahoma.
Insurance providers that offer highly-rated plans in Oklahoma include Aetna, GlobalHealth, and Humana.
Overview of Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare. Original Medicare is run by the federal government and is the same for everyone. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, and each plan has different premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage for the same set of services and equipment as Original Medicare—and also provide additional benefits that Original Medicare does not offer. Some of these added benefits include:
Routine dental, vision, and hearing coverage
Transportation services
Fitness and wellness memberships
Over-the-counter (OTC) credits
Emergency medical insurance when traveling
Medicare Advantage plans also have out-of-pocket maximums to limit how much you spend in a year.
Despite these benefits, Medicare Advantage plans also have limitations and restrictions that some people may find frustrating such as:
Prior authorization requirements that can delay access to care
Variable out-of-pocket costs that can make it difficult to understand what you’ll owe for medical services
Provider networks that restrict which doctors you can see and healthcare facilities you can visit
Your preferred doctors, prescriptions, and added benefits won’t be the same as everyone. When finding the best plan for your needs, it’s important to carefully consider your unique priorities.
Highly-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Oklahoma
One way to quickly tell if a Medicare Advantage plan is considered “good” is to check its Medicare star rating. Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) awards 1-5 stars for Medicare Advantage plans. A 5-star rating is the highest score and a 1-star rating is the lowest. CMS judges these plans for their quality and performance.
Although there are no 5-star plans in Oklahoma, three insurance providers offer 4.5-star plans:
Aetna
GlobalHealth
Humana
These plans are worth looking into, but they may not be the best options for you. Make sure you’re prioritizing your healthcare needs and minimizing the cost for services needed. Read on to learn about what to look for to find the best Medicare Advantage plan for you.
What to look for in the best Medicare Advantage plan
Making a few lists can be helpful when starting your research around the best Medicare Advantage plan. We’ll break it down for you in a few steps:
Step 1: Think about your health status. Write down any needs including medications you take, preferred doctors and specialists, treatments and preventive services you need, and any other healthcare needs you can think of.
Step 2: Consider your budget. If you have more healthcare needs, this is particularly important. You’ll want to consider plans that minimize your out-of-pocket costs with low copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits.
Step 3: Research healthcare providers and facilities in your area. Make sure that the plan that provides the most coverage for your needs at an affordable price also covers quality providers. Remember that most Medicare Advantage plans operate under network providers, so you’ll want to double check that your preferred doctors are in your chosen plan’s network.
Step 4: Think about what’s important to your lifestyle. Medicare Advantage has additional benefits that can be helpful if you travel or need to incorporate fitness into your daily routine. Check these additional benefits and understand how they work so you can make the most out of your health insurance.
Enrolling in the best Medicare Advantage plan in Oklahoma
It’s no secret that Medicare can be difficult to navigate. Just like other important decisions in your life, it can be helpful to talk through what you need for your health. One of our licensed Medicare Advisors can provide guidance, reassurance, and confidence in your choice. Contact us today at 855-900-2427 or schedule a time to get started.