Medicare in Arizona: What to Know
As you get older, your healthcare needs change. It’s important for everyone to be sure they have a health insurance plan that covers all the potential health scenarios that could be faced.
Medicare coverage can help, and it may also be available to groups including those who receive disability benefits and those who have permanent kidney failure. However, Medicare may not cover all your healthcare needs, including dental coverage and vision services.
Navigate the complexities of healthcare coverage once you or your loved one qualifies for Medicare coverage, so you can understand what you need in order to protect your health and finances.
AZ Health Insurance Brokers Medicare Insurance
Original Medicare covers some medical needs, but typically doesn’t cover all of them. Additionally, the Medicare coverage terms and details can be complex and confusing. There are Parts A, B, C and D, plus offerings like Medigap supplemental insurance.
Also, importantly, all your Medicare coverage doesn’t activate automatically. There are steps you or your loved one needs to take to ensure you’re fully covered by Medicare and avoid paying high out-of-pocket costs.
Depending on a person’s unique health situation, there may be a need for supplemental healthcare coverage. How can you or your loved one be sure you’re getting the right Medicare coverage? And what supplemental healthcare plans are available? Do you or your loved one need extra coverage? Can you get by on what Medicare alone provides?
This guide explains the basics.
Talk with an Arizona health insurance broker for a no-cost consultation.
Understanding the Parts of Medicare
There are four different Medicare parts to consider and compare when enrolling, as well as Medicare supplement (Medigap) coverage you might be interested in. If you’ve heard the term “Original Medicare,” that refers to Parts A and B together. Learn more about each option below.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) provides coverage for in-patient hospital treatment, skilled nursing facility treatment, some at-home healthcare treatment and hospice care. Most Medicare Part A services are provided at no additional cost to the plan holder. Monthly premium costs for Part A may increase to up to 10% if you miss the initial enrollment period (IEP) for Medicare, which is why it’s so important to be mindful of sign-up dates and deadlines.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is medical insurance that provides coverage for preventive services, outpatient care, medical supplies and other doctor services. If you miss the IEP, you’ll have to pay an extra 10% lifetime penalty for every year you could have signed up for Part B but didn’t.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)
Medicare Part C, also known as a Medicare Advantage Plan, works like private healthcare insurance and is approved by Medicare. With a Medicare Part C plan, you’ll typically get everything that’s included in Medicare Parts A and B, as well as potential Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part C plans may also offer coverage for services including dental, vision, hearing and wellness. Many Medicare Part C plans offer low or no additional cost premium options.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Anyone with a Medicare plan can get Medicare Part D through an insurance company or private company offering Medicare Part D that’s been approved by Medicare. Again, if you fail to sign up for Medicare Part D during the IEP, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you get a Medicare Part D plan later.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
A Medigap policy pairs with an Original Medicare plan, which includes Medicare Part A and Part B. The Medigap plan helps cover out-of-pocket medical costs, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. These plans can be purchased through a private insurance carrier.
Medicare Enrollment Periods in Arizona
In Arizona, you can sign up for Medicare 3 months prior to the month you turn 65 years old, and 3 months after the month you turn 65 years old. This means, you have about a 7-month window for the IEP in order to avoid lifelong late enrollment penalties.
There’s also a general enrollment period from January 1 through March 31 each year if you missed signing up for Original Medicare when you were first eligible.
The annual enrollment period for Medicare between October 15 and December 7 each year allows those who already have a Medicare plan to review and change coverage for the upcoming year.
If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), you can make a one-time change to your plan between January 1 and March 31 each year. Unlike the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall (October 15 to December 7), this Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period allows just one change. During this time, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage), or disenroll from Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare (with or without a standalone Part D drug plan).
When certain life events happen, such as if you move or lose your healthcare coverage, you may be eligible to make changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage outside of general enrollment periods. Talk with an
Arizona health insurance broker to see what you’re eligible for.
Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement (Medigap): How They Differ
Both Medicare Advantage and Medigap can help you obtain comprehensive healthcare coverage for your Medicare plan. They offer some key differences.
With Medicare Advantage, you’re purchasing a full private Medicare health insurance plan that is customizable for what you need. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare and provides a specific network for healthcare coverage. Medicare Part D for prescription drugs may be included with a Medicare Advantage plan, and the plan may include benefits like vision, dental and hearing.
A Medigap plan pairs with an existing Original Medicare plan. While it’s also purchased through a private insurance carrier, it works alongside an Original Medicare plan and typically doesn’t include Medicare Part D.
Talk with a licensed Arizona health insurance agent to see how each plan fits with your specific situation.
What Makes Medicare in Arizona Different?
Arizonans have unique considerations regarding Medicare coverage. If you’re signing up for Medicare as an Arizona resident, consider how factors like these may impact the coverage you need and the plans to consider.
Residence
With at least tens of thousands of Arizonans living as seasonal residents who split their time among multiple residences, multistate healthcare coverage is a strong Medicare consideration in Arizona. If you live in Arizona and at least one other residence throughout the year, you’ll want coverage that applies wherever you are.
County Variability
Medicare coverage varies based on Arizona county. With 15 different counties in Arizona, it’s important to be aware that what’s offered in Pinal County may be different than Maricopa County, for example. Talk with a broker who specializes in the Arizona county you’re looking for coverage in.
Network Fit
Arizona has several nationally ranked hospitals that have top doctors for Arizona residents. If you have specific hospitals and doctors you need coverage for in Arizona, such as Banner Health, HonorHealth and Mayo Clinic, it’s important to choose a Medicare plan that includes coverage for these providers.
What Arizona Residents Usually Ask Us About Medicare
In Arizona, we hear common questions regarding Medicare coverage specific to the state. If you have a question like those below or something else,
contact us for free support.
Medicare Insurance in Arizona
If you’re getting older, you probably know how important it is to have the right insurance coverage. You may be finishing up your working years and are looking forward to retirement. You certainly don’t want to have to worry about having the right medical care at an affordable price.
You may enjoy good health today, but things can change as you age. Or, you may have pre-existing health conditions you’ll need covered as you enter retirement.
For these reasons and more, it’s important to know all the health insurance options. Healthcare coverage details are important. Out-of-pocket costs matter, too. And, of course, budget is an important consideration. Medicare care can be expensive, especially if you don’t have the right coverage you need in place now, before you need it.
Medicare Services From AZ Health Insurance Brokers
The health insurance experts at AZ Health Insurance Brokers specialize in all kinds of insurance coverage, including Medicare health insurance coverage. Our independent brokers can help you navigate the details of the different plans available to you.
In addition, we can help you select the right coverage and care for your current and future health needs.
Medicare alone may not cover all of your or your loved one’s insurance needs. Also, your eligibility for the various Medicare plans may change, so it’s important to know all your options now and for the future.
Questions to Ask When Getting Medicare
When you or your loved one is getting Medicare, it’s important to be aware of your health needs now and anticipate how they may change in the future. Some questions to consider are:
- Will you have emergency room visit coverage?
- Will you have hospital stay coverage?
- Will you be able to see the doctors you want to see?
- What are the copay and deductible amounts you’ll be required to pay?
- Are your medications covered?
- How will your health insurance coverage change if you travel or move to another state or out of the country?
You don’t have to tackle these questions alone. Medicare insurance eligibility and the details of each part of Medicare can be overwhelming topics to research and make decisions on your own. We can help answer any questions you have, so you can feel confident in your health insurance decisions.
Contact AZ Health Insurance Brokers for Medicare Help
Don’t risk choosing the wrong coverage for health insurance. Call our expert Medicare insurance brokers today to find out all you need to know about Medicare coverage and the healthcare plans that supplement Medicare.
We serve clients throughout Arizona. Whether you live in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Glendale, Tucson, Tempe, Kingman, Flagstaff or anywhere in-between, we can help.
Call our office today. We’ll help you get the insurance coverage you need, when you need it.
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Talk with a Medicare broker to learn about your options.
Talk with a medicare broker to learn about your options.
Medicare Health Insurance FAQs
Reviewed by: Jessica Topolski, licensed Medicare specialist
Jessica Topolski is an Arizona native and licensed Medicare insurance agent. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Arizona, Jessica brings a unique understanding of the human experience to her work. She has over 10 years of experience specializing in HR, Medicare, and group benefits, making her an expert in helping individuals navigate the complex transition to Medicare.
Jessica is passionate about empowering her clients to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage. She takes the time to understand each client's individual needs and provides personalized guidance throughout the enrollment process.
When not working, Jessica is an active member of the Scottsdale community, serving as a dedicated Girl Scout troop leader and passionate supporter of local animal rescue organizations.
"Every guide published by AZ Health Insurance Brokers is researched using current carrier information and federal and Arizona insurance guidance, and is reviewed by a licensed Arizona health insurance professional before publication."
CMS Disclosure: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer 59 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.
