Medicare Plans in Mississippi

Medicare Plans in Mississippi

Mississippi offers a wide variety of Medicare options. But sorting through them all to find the right plan can feel overwhelming. We don’t think it should be. We’ll help you sort through the Medicare plans in Mississippi to help you find the right coverage..

Who’s eligible for a Medicare Plans in Mississippi?

You must be eligible for Social Security benefits to qualify for Medicare. Most people become Medicare-eligible once they reach 65 years of age. If you’re under 65 years old, you can qualify if you’ve been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months. You may also qualify if you have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

To qualify, you must be a citizen or permanent resident, having lived in the US for at least 5 years. You or your spouse must also have had a job that paid towards your Medicare through Social Security deductions for at least 10 years.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility for Medicare plans in Mississippi or will be turning 65 in the next six months, we can help. You can view plans in your area online or call us to speak with a licensed insurance agent.

What are the Medicare Plans in Mississippi?

Orginial Medicare Part A & Part B

Original Medicare is the federal portion of Medicare and has two separate parts:

Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient services, such as hospital care, hospice care, and skilled nursing facility care.

Part B (Medical Insurance) covers outpatient medical services/supplies, like mental health care, ambulance services, and durable medical equipment (canes, blood sugar monitors, and walkers). Part B also covers certain services that prevent or detect illnesses early, like flu shots, cardiovascular screenings, and diabetes screenings.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything. For example, it doesn’t cover long term care, most outpatient prescriptions, hearing exams and aids, vision, or dental care. For this reason, there is a wide variety of additional Medicare plans available to help expand your coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plans   (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and work as an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). These plans must provide the same coverage as Original Medicare (with the exception of hospice care, which remains covered by Part A). They can also provide additional benefits, such as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans.

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must first be enrolled in both parts of Original Medicare. Premiums for these plans can start at $0, increasing with the level of coverage selected. You’ll need to continue paying your Part B premium in addition to your Part C premium.

Read more about Medicare Advantage plans here »

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)

Prescription Drug coverage is generally not covered by Original Medicare or Medigap Plans. Stand-alone Prescription Drug plans, offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies, work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to add prescription drug coverage. With these plans, a tier system is used to grade medications, and copays/coinsurance for each medication are set in accordance with their tiers. Drugs graded in the lowest tiers have the lowest copays/coinsurance, and vice versa. Each plan provides a drug formulary for you to see which tier(s) your medications fall into. This allows you to compare plans and select one with the best overall value for your specific prescription needs.

Read more about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans here »

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)

Medicare Supplement plans add an additional layer of coverage to your Original Medicare by filling in coverage gaps. Medigap plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and work alongside your Original Medicare to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by paying certain healthcare costs, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Plans here »

When Can I Enroll In A Plan?

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

You are first eligible to sign up for Medicare plans in Mississippi during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP starts three months before your 65th birthday month and continues for an additional three months. This means you have a total of seven months to enroll.

Following this period, you will be able to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug coverage during the Annual Election Period (AEP). This period occurs once per year, from October 15th to December 7th.

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

7-Month Initial Enrollment Period  |  Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65

*Signing up for Parts A and B during months 5,6, and 7 may result in delayed coverage.

KEY FACT: The General Enrollment Period provides you an opportunity to enroll in Original Medicare if you missed your IEP. This period occurs every year from January 1st to March 31st. Then, you’ll have an opportunity to select a Medicare Advantage Plan from April 1st through June 30th.

Medicare Supplement Plans

Once you’ve enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B, you can select the Medigap plan of your choice during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. The enrollment period is a 6-month period that begins the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Important Note: If you fail to enroll in a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you’re subject to higher premiums or denial of coverage entirely.

Special Enrollment Periods

Some major life changes, like moving into a new coverage area or transferring to or from a care facility, are qualifying life events for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). A Special Enrollment Period allows you to enroll or make changes to your coverage outside of the standard enrollment times. Our licensed insurance agents can help determine your eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period.

How Can I Compare Plans?

MedicareMatchup provides a convenient way to explore the many Medicare plans available in Maryland to find the coverage you need. By working with trusted partners, we’ll help you find coverage that best suits your particular needs.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or will be turning 65 within six months, we can give you some guidance and help you prepare for enrollment. Give us a call today or get plan information online using our simple form below.

Additional Medicare Resources in Mississippi

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a counseling program designed to help seniors in Mississippi with their questions about Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance or other coverage. SHIP provides free counseling and resources to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers.

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) provides financial assistance to Medicare beneficiaries with limited income. It can help pay for certain medical expenses, like premiums, coinsurance, and copayments.

Sources: Medicare.govwww.mdhs.state.ms.us; medicaid.ms.gov