Medicare Plans in Tennessee in 2022
Signing up for Medicare can be confusing, especially when taking into account all of the variables that can impact your enrollment. Plan availability depends on so many factors, one of the most important being where you live.
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 Tennessee.
How To Apply for Medicare in Tennessee
If you are a Tennessee 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 you speak with a licensed insurance agent. They can walk you through the process and help you to find the right plan for you.
Reach out to a team member here at Medicare Plans Direct today to have all of your Medicare-related questions answered.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Tennessee
Which Medigap plans are available to you in Tennessee will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
There were 315,433 Tennessee residents enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance in 2019. This figure represented over a fifth (23.4%) of all Medicare enrollees in the state that year.
The most popular Medigap plans in Tennessee include 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 Tennessee
If you are interested in enrolling in Medigap insurance in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area, losing your Medicaid benefits, and losing your employer coverage.
Medigap in Tennessee for Disability Enrollees
Federal law does not require Medicare Supplement Insurance companies to provide coverage to beneficiaries under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare because of a disability. However, many states have implemented protections that allow these individuals to enroll in a Medigap plan, Tennessee included.
Tennessee law states that Medigap insurance companies must offer disability beneficiaries access to the same plans that they offer to enrollees aged 65 and older. However, insurers are permitted to charge these individuals significantly higher premiums than they would charge beneficiaries who qualify because of age and not disability.
For example, Plan A would cost a 65-year-old female in Nashville between between $52 and $212 per month, while a 60-year-old female in the same ZIP Code would have to pay a monthly premium of between $243 and $747 for the same plan.
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. They will get another Medigap OEP when they turn 65, and at this time they can enroll in any Medigap plan that they would like and receive 65+ rates.
Medigap Premiums in Tennessee
Tennessee state law allows Medigap insurance companies 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.
A couple of companies 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. 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 Tennessee
Another coverage option for people looking for more benefits than those offered by Original Medicare is Medicare Advantage. Also known as Part C, these plans provide the coverage that you get under Original Medicare on top of additional benefits, which can include drug coverage, hearing coverage, vision coverage, dental coverage, and more.
44.8% of Tennessee Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. In 2022, there are 112 Medicare Advantage plans available in Tennessee.
All Tennessee Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2022. However, which Medicare Advantage plans you have access to depends on where exactly you reside, as plan availability varies significantly from county to county.
For example, Tennessee Medicare enrollees who live in Davidson County can choose between 59 Medicare Advantage plans in 2022, while residents of Lake County only have 33 plans available to them.
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 Tennessee is $18.74, and 100% of 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 Tennessee
Another thing for Medicare beneficiaries in Tennessee to keep in mind is their Medicare prescription drug coverage options. In 2022, there are 26 stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans available to Tennessee 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 Tennessee is $51.07.
You can also find drug plans with $0 deductibles, though insurance companies may charge higher monthly premiums for these plans. In 2022, there are five no-deductible plans available to Tennessee residents, the least expensive of which offering a monthly premium of $54.80.
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 come with coverage for prescription drugs, but if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and/or a Medigap policy, you will need a stand-alone prescription drug plan to cover your prescription medication costs.
As you can see, it is important to understand the ins and outs of Medicare coverage when choosing a plan. Here at Medicare Plans Direct, we help seniors through the process of enrolling in Medicare. Reach out today for a free consultation with a licensed insurance agent.
