Best Medicare Plans in Delaware

Are you a Delawarean looking to secure reliable Medicare? Check out our comprehensive guide on the best options for you. 

Best Medicare Insurance Plans in Delaware

When it comes to Medicare Advantage plans, there are a wealth to choose from, with several benefits accompanying each. We have ranked 5 below to help you narrow in on what provider works best for your specific health and financial requirements. 

1. Humana

As seen above, Humana boasts some of the highest star ratings with some of the lowest monthly expenses. Whether it's an HMO or PPO you’re interested in, this company offers myriad options across the board. It even has several options for supplemental health care coverage. 

In addition to a solid offering of the basics, Humana has great benefits, including a nurse advice line with registered nurses available around the clock to consult about your particular health condition. There are also pharmacy mail delivery service options as well as online prescriptions from your doctors. Another bonus, Humana has an extensive gym membership program across the state. Humana is your best choice if you’re searching for highly-rated insurance with lots of extra features.

2. Aetna

Aetna is the country’s 3rd-highest performing insurance company in the country, serving more than 22 million members across the U.S. You can find HMO and PPO plans with low premium charges, and the company’s vast partnerships with pharmacies across the states gives it a leg up on cheap prescriptions. With an Aetna plan, you can even get some of the most generic drugs for just $1 per prescription. 

3. Cigna

Cigna has been operating for nearly 40 years throughout the U.S. and in 30 additional countries worldwide, with more than 165 million customers and patients. Its Medicare Advantage plans offer low to no monthly premiums, depending on which you choose. Cigna prides itself on being a one-stop-shop for extra benefits in addition to Medicare such as health coaching, fitness programs and more.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federally-funded health insurance program that was started in 1965 to offer health coverage to people 65 or older. It was later expanded to include people under 65 that suffer from long-term disabilities, such as end-stage renal disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) or those who have been on Social Security disability insurance for at least 2 years. 

Medicare can be daunting, given all the regulations and options. We’ve narrowed the different types to make it easy:

Part A: What is commonly referred to as “hospital insurance,” Plan A covers your inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and some home health care. You’ll automatically be enrolled in Part A when you sign up for Medicare. 

Part B: Part B pairs nicely with Part A as it covers several aspects that Part A does not, such as procedures outside of hospitalization. This includes doctor visits, outpatient care, X-rays and blood tests. Visiting your doctor will cost you about 20% of the bill on Plan B, but lab tests are fully covered on the plan. 

Part C: Part C takes you from public to private, bundling the offerings of Plans A and B through a private insurer. Also known as a Medicare Advantage plan, Part C is completely optional and may be the correct choice for you depending on your specific medical needs. There are perks to consider, like coverage of dental, hearing and vision, which aren’t an option for Plans A or B. 

Part D: Part D is focused on the coverage of prescription medications. This is an optional addition to Parts A, B or a Medicare Advantage plan and should be seen as supplemental. Benzinga has put together a full article on how to navigate options for Part D.  

Legalities of Medicare in Delaware

Medicare in Delaware and across the U.S. is regulated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Delaware has its own department, the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB), formerly known as ELDERinfo, dedicated to providing counseling and care for those looking for Medicare and those who are already using its services. 

DMAB’s counselors are committed to helping Delaware residents navigate the following services: 

• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage program (Medicare Part D)
• Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap plans)
• Assistance for disabled Medicare beneficiaries (under age 65)
• Medicare Advantage plans (HMOs, PPOs)
• Long-term care insurance
• Medical assistance programs
• Assistance for low-income beneficiaries
• Billing assistance
• Volunteer counselor opportunities
• Prescription savings
• Free community presentations and more

Types of Medicare Advantage Plans

While enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan is one option, there are many choices among them, including different types that provide varying benefits. Finding the plan that is right for you depends on your specific and projected health needs in the coming years. 

Below is the difference between the two main Medicare Advantage plans: 

HMO: If you are interested in keeping your Medicare costs low, a health maintenance organization (HMO) is probably for you. Depending on your provider, you’ll have a low or even 0 deductible for seeing your primary physician (who is within your network). However, you’ll need a referral from that doctor to see any specialist. 

PPO: If freedom in your healthcare offerings is what you want, a preferred provider organization (PPO) is your best bet. While PPOs are usually more pricey than HMOs, they offer more benefits like being able to see physicians both in and out of network and skipping referrals from primary physicians before seeing specialists. PPOs often include benefits for prescription drug packages. 

How to Sign Up for Medicare in Delaware

Medicare is something you’ll actively need to enroll in during a specific time period, starting 3 months before your 65th birthday and ending 3 months after. If you are already enrolled in Social Security you’ll automatically be signed up for Plan A. But there are many more options to choose from that might fit better with your specific health needs. Be sure to keep an eye on the calendar if you plan to sign up for more – penalties await you if you miss this time period.

If a Medicare Advantage plan is what you are looking for, you can use an official comparison chart at medicare.gov for your specific region to compare options. Once you have narrowed in on a plan tailored to your needs, research the company’s website to make sure you understand all their offerings. Most of the time you can enroll directly through their site, or you can call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to enroll in any Medicare Advantage plan.  

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Delaware

Below we’ve mapped out several examples of an eligible participant in Wilmington, Delaware to give you an idea of the prices you can expect to pay for each variable of a Medicare Advantage plan.  

Doing Healthcare Right in Delaware 

Getting the healthcare you need doesn’t have to break the bank. Thousands of Delawareans are enjoying Medicare in a variety of ways. It’s important that you find which one is correct for you. Check out the resources we’ve outlined so that you can enjoy your golden years in Delaware free from healthcare worries.