Medicare Plans in Georgia in 2022
Believe it or not, where you live plays one of the most important roles in determining which Medicare plans you have available to you. Being aware of your state-specific Medicare rights can help you to find the best plan options possible.
That’s why it’s so important to have a good understanding of the nuances of Medicare in your state. Read on to learn more about your Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D options in Georgia.
How To Apply for Medicare in Georgia
If you are a Georgia resident who is only interested in enrolling in Original Medicare, you can do so through your local Social Security office. You can sign up in-person, online, or over the phone as early as three months before your 65th birthday.
However, if you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Part D drug coverage, we recommend contacting a licensed insurance agent. They can walk you through the process and help you to find the right plan for you.
Reach out to an experienced insurance agent here at Medicare Plans Direct today to have all of your Medicare-related questions answered.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Georgia
Which Medigap plans are available to you in Georgia will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
In 2019, there were 378,730 Georgia residents enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance. This figure represented 22% of all Medicare enrollees in the state that year.
The most popular Medigap plans in Georgia include Plans F, G, and N. However, beneficiaries who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 will no longer be allowed to enroll in Plan F. Plans G and N are good alternatives.
Medigap Enrollment in Georgia
If you are interested in enrolling in Medigap insurance in Georgia, the best time to do so is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
This occurs when you first become eligible for Medicare and enroll in Part B, and it lasts for 6 months. During this time, you can enroll in any Medigap plan offered in your area regardless of your health history.
Unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right, you may have to undergo medical underwriting if you want to sign up for a Medigap plan after your OEP finalizes. In this case, insurance companies reserve the right to deny you coverage and/or charge you higher rates.
Examples of situations that qualify you for a guaranteed issue right in Georgia include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area or losing your employer coverage.
You should be aware that Medigap insurers in Georgia can implement pre-existing condition waiting periods. This means that your insurance company can delay coverage for your condition for up to six months when you first enroll in your Medigap plan.
These waiting periods apply to conditions that are diagnosed or treated (or for which treatment was recommended) during the six months before your policy comes into effect. Having prior creditable coverage can alleviate this coverage restriction and shorten your waiting period.
Medigap in Georgia for Disability Enrollees
Georgia beneficiaries under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare because of a disability are guaranteed the right to enroll in any Medicare Supplement plan they would like. This is not mandated under federal Medigap regulations, but the state enacted a law in 2011 to offer this protection.
However, insurance companies are permitted to charge these individuals higher premiums than they would charge enrollees aged 65 and older. Fortunately, Georgia law states that premiums cannot be “excessive” or “unfairly discriminatory” for Medicare disability enrollees.
People who qualify for Medicare before they turn 65 can sign up for Medigap insurance during the first six months that they are enrolled in Medicare Part B. These individuals will have another OEP during the six months following their 65th birthday. When this happens, they are allowed to sign up for any Medigap plan offered in their area without having to undergo medical underwriting.
Medigap Premiums in Georgia
Georgia state law allows insurance companies to decide how they set monthly premiums. The three ways that Medigap insurers rate premiums are with attained-age, issue-age, and community rating.
With attained-age rated policies, your monthly premium will likely increase as you get older, which is important to consider when choosing a Medigap plan.
Other companies may choose to use an issue-age rating system. In this case, premiums are determined by the age you were when you enrolled in the policy.
In the case that an insurance company offers community-rated premiums, rates will typically be the same for everyone in a given area regardless of age.
Though Medigap plans’ benefits are federally standardized, premium rates can vary significantly between insurance companies. For that reason, we always recommend consulting with a licensed insurance agent before deciding on a Medicare Supplement policy to ensure that you are getting the best value plan for you.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Another option for people looking for more benefits than those offered by Original Medicare is Medicare Advantage. Also known as Part C, these plans provide benefits that you get under Original Medicare coverage on top of additional benefits, which can include drug coverage, hearing coverage, vision coverage, dental coverage, and more.
46.3% of Georgia Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. In 2022, there are 157 Medicare Advantage plans available in Georgia. This is up from 148 plans in 2021.
All Georgia Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2022. But which Medicare Advantage plans you have available to you depends on where exactly you reside, as plan availability varies from county to county.
For example, Georgia Medicare enrollees who live in larger counties like Clayton can choose between 80 Medicare Advantage plans in 2022. However, residents of Lowndes County only have 21 plan options.
When it comes to monthly premiums, what you pay for your Medicare Advantage plan depends on where you live, the plan that you choose, and more. In 2022, the average Part C monthly premium in Georgia is $13.55. Plus, all Medicare enrollees in the state have access to at least one plan with a $0 monthly premium.
Deciding which is the right Medicare Advantage plan for you is best done with the help of an experienced insurance agent. Here at Medicare Plans Direct we help you make the best Medicare choices possible at no extra cost to you. Reach out today to receive free Medicare advice.
Medicare Part D in Georgia
Another thing for Georgia Medicare beneficiaries to keep in mind is their Part D prescription drug plan options. In 2022, there are 23 stand-alone drug plans available to Georgia Medicare enrollees.
How much you will have to pay for your Part D premium depends on where you live and which insurance company you purchase your plan through. In 2022, the average Part D premium in Georgia is $46.05.
You can also find drug plans with $0 deductibles, though insurance companies usually charge higher monthly premiums for these plans. In 2022, there are four no-deductible plans available to Georgia residents, and the lowest-cost stand-alone drug plan with a $0 deductible has a monthly premium of $62.40.
It is usually a good idea to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage when you first sign up for Medicare. If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part D when you first qualify and lack some other form of creditable drug coverage, you could face late enrollment penalty fees down the line.
Some Medicare Advantage plans provide prescription drug coverage, but if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and/or a Medigap policy, you will need a stand-alone drug plan to cover your prescription medication expenses.
As you can see, choosing a Medicare health care plan is no easy feat. But at Medicare Plans Direct, our mission is to help seniors through the process of enrolling in Medicare. Sign up today to get free advice and information about Medicare from an experienced team member.
