Georgia Medicare Plans 2025: Coverage Options Starting at $15.52/Month

Residents of Georgia have access to a wide range of Medicare coverage options, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and supplemental plans. This guide helps you navigate the choices available for 2024 to find the best coverage for your healthcare needs.

As of 2024, nearly 1.9 million Georgians are enrolled in Medicare, with hundreds of plan options tailored to different counties and health requirements.

Whether you're considering switching plans for broader coverage or want to confirm your eligibility for Medicare Advantage, understanding your Medicare options is essential.

Medicare Coverage Choices in Georgia

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily designed for people aged 65 and older, as well as younger individuals with certain disabilities in Georgia.

Original Medicare

Most seniors in Georgia are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, limited home healthcare, and hospice services.

Part B offers coverage for outpatient medical services such as:

• Doctor visits
• Lab tests
• X-rays
• Diabetes screenings
• Outpatient hospital care

Additionally, Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage, which you can add to supplement Parts A and B.

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are also available in Georgia, providing tailored coverage for individuals with chronic conditions or specific health needs.

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans combine hospital, medical, and prescription drug coverage into a single plan offered by private insurers.

Many plans include extras like dental, vision, hearing aids, and fitness benefits. These plans are offered by providers such as:

• Aetna Medicare
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Cigna Healthcare
• Clear Spring Health
• Clover Health
• Devoted Health
• Humana
• Kaiser Permanente
• Sonder Health Plans, Inc.
• UnitedHealthcare
• WellCare

Availability of Medicare Advantage plans varies by county, so it's important to enter your ZIP code when researching options.

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)

Medigap plans help cover out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments and coinsurance, that Original Medicare does not fully pay for.

In Georgia, several insurers offer Medigap plans, including:

• AARP – UnitedHealthcare
• AFLAC
• Bankers Fidelity
• Cigna
• Humana
• State Farm
• USAA
• Wellcare

Georgians can choose from 12 different Medigap plan types, including high-deductible options for plans F and G in 2024.

Helpful Medicare Resources in Georgia

For personalized assistance and detailed information, contact these organizations:

• GeorgiaCares: Offers free counseling and enrollment support through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Call 866-552-4464.
• Division of Aging Services: Provides support and services for seniors. Call 866-552-4464.
• Georgia Drug Card: Helps reduce prescription medication costs. Call 404-657-3127.

You can also call Medicare directly at 800-633-4227 for enrollment guidance and plan information.

Medicare Enrollment Periods in Georgia

Several enrollment windows allow you to sign up or change your Medicare coverage:

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after.
• General Enrollment Period: January 1 to March 31, for those who missed IEP; coverage starts July 1.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 to March 31, permits switching between Original Medicare and Advantage plans.
• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 to December 7, allows plan changes for the following year.
• Special Enrollment Periods: Available for qualifying life events like loss of employer coverage or disability.

Tips for Choosing the Right Medicare Plan in Georgia

• Make a detailed list of your medications and their costs to ensure coverage.
• Estimate your annual healthcare expenses to compare plan value.
• Contact your doctors to verify which Medicare plans they accept.
• Check CMS star ratings and read reviews to evaluate plan quality.

Eligibility Requirements for Medicare Advantage in Georgia

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident of Georgia.
• Be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B.
• Have paid Medicare payroll taxes.

Those with disabilities or chronic illnesses such as ALS or ESRD may also qualify. Railroad Retirement Board and Social Security pension recipients are eligible as well.

Next Steps for Medicare Enrollment in Georgia

• Visit Medicare.gov to review available plans in your ZIP code.
• Use CMS star ratings and compare premiums to narrow your choices.
• Enroll online, by phone, or with a paper application through your chosen carrier.

Choosing the right Medicare plan can help you manage healthcare costs effectively. Whether you opt for Original Medicare, add Part D, or select a Medicare Advantage plan, carefully assessing your options ensures you get the coverage that best fits your lifestyle.

Medicare in Georgia: 2024 Highlights

• Approximately 1,926,784 Georgians enrolled in Medicare in 2024.
• Average Medicare Advantage monthly premium rose to $15.52 in 2024 from $14.29 in 2023.
• 162 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide, down from 178 in 2023.
• Access to $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans is available to all eligible Georgians.
• 16 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans offered.
• Nearly 70% of Part D enrollees have access to plans with lower premiums than last year.

Summary

In 2024, Medicare continues to provide essential health coverage to nearly two million Georgians. With a wide variety of Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans available through numerous private insurers, residents have ample options to tailor their healthcare coverage. While premiums for Medicare Advantage plans have increased slightly, many affordable plans remain accessible, including $0 premium options.

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