Medicare Plans in Montana in 2022
As you near your Medicare enrollment age, it is important for you to understand your coverage options. This blog post will explore what Medicare plans are available in Montana in 2022 and what they entail.
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 Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Part D options in Montana.
How To Apply for Medicare in Montana
If you are a Montana 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 an experienced insurance agent. They can walk you through the process and help you to find the right plan for you.
Give us a call to speak with a licensed insurance agent here at Medicare Plans Direct and have all of your Medicare-related questions answered.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Montana
Which Medigap plans are available to you in Montana will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
There were 89,215 Montana residents enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in 2019. This figure represented 39% of all Medicare enrollees in the state that year, which is significantly higher than the nationwide average of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medigap (24%).
The most popular Medigap plans in Montana are Plans F and G. These plans offer some of the most comprehensive coverage around.
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 Montana
If you are interested in enrolling in Medigap insurance in Montana, 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 guaranteed issue rights in Montana include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area, a change in retiree benefits, losing your Medicaid benefits, and losing your employer coverage.
You should be aware that Medigap insurers in Montana 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. Having prior creditable coverage can alleviate this coverage restriction and shorten your waiting period.
Medigap in Montana for Disability Enrollees
Montana 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 started granting these protections in 2013. However, insurance companies are permitted to charge these individuals higher premiums than they would charge enrollees aged 65 and older.
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 Montana
State law allows Montana Medigap insurers to decide how they set monthly premiums, and the majority of them offer attained-age rated policies.
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 offer issue-age rated plans. In this case, premiums are determined by the age you were when you enrolled in the policy.
Finally, one company offers plans with community-rated premiums in 2022. When it comes to these plans, premiums are typically the same for everyone in your area.
Though Medigap plans’ benefits are federally standardized, premium rates can vary significantly between insurance companies. For that reason, we always recommend consulting with a knowledgeable 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 Montana
Another coverage option for people looking for more benefits than those offered by Original Medicare is Medicare Advantage. Also known as Medicare Part C, these plans provide you with Original Medicare benefits on top of additional coverage options, such as drug coverage, hearing coverage, vision coverage, dental coverage, and more.
Over a fifth (22%) of Montana Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. There are 27 Medicare Advantage plans available in Montana in 2022. Plus, all Montana Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2022.
However, 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, Medicare enrollees who live in Yellowstone County can choose between 20 plans in 2022, while residents of smaller counties have significantly fewer options. There are only five plans available in Blaine, Glacier, and Toole.
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 for Montana Medicare beneficiaries is $28.45. Plus, 100% of Montana Medicare enrollees 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 Montana
Another thing for Montana beneficiaries to keep in mind is their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan options. In 2022, there are 22 stand-alone drug plans available to Montana Medicare enrollees.
How much you will have to pay for your Medicare prescription drug coverage depends on where you live and which insurance company you purchase your plan through. In 2022, the average Part D premium in Montana is $48.57.
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 $0 deductible plans available to Montana residents, and the lowest-cost stand-alone Medicare Part D plan with a $0 deductible has a monthly premium of $68.90.
It is typically a good idea to enroll in prescription drug coverage when you are first eligible if you foresee it being necessary in the future. If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part D when you first qualify and don’t have some other form of creditable drug coverage, you could face late enrollment penalty fees down the line.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include 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 costs.
As you can see, it is important to make well-informed decisions when choosing your Medicare coverage. Here at Medicare Plans Direct, we help seniors navigate their Medicare enrollment journeys. Reach out today to compare plans and receive Medicare guidance from one of our experienced team members.
