Best Cheap Medicare in Oklahoma

Benzinga readers often choose AARP and Humana as the best Medicare providers in Oklahoma.

If you’re getting close to your Medicare enrollment date but are still researching your options for Medicare in Oklahoma, you’re in luck. We’ve reviewed the best companies offering Medicare Advantage plans in your area to help make your decision even easier. Whether you’ve just started to browse options or you’re close to your retirement date, we have the top health care providers worth checking out.   

Quick Look: Best Medicare in Oklahoma

• Best Overall in Oklahoma: AARP Medicare Advantage Walgreens
• Most Affordable in Oklahoma: GlobalHealth Generations Value
• Best for Low Copays: Humana
• Best for Specialist Visits: Aetna
• Best for Dental, Hearing and Vision Options: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

Best Medicare Insurance Providers in Oklahoma

The costs of Medicare insurance providers in Oklahoma vary widely among companies. We’ve selected the top 5 for best coverage in Oklahoma, the largest networks of participating providers and the lowest costs. 

1. Best Overall in Oklahoma: AARP Medicare Advantage Walgreens

With a $0 premium and a $0 deductible, plus a low $175 drug deductible and an out-of-network maximum of $6,700 (in-network is $5,900), this is a great all-around plan that gives you a considerable amount of coverage at great savings. Dental, vision and other benefits can also be included, and because it’s offered through UnitedHealthcare, there’s an extensive network of participating doctors and hospitals to choose from. 

2. Most Affordable in Oklahoma: GlobalHealth Generations Value

This HMO makes our list for the most affordable Medicare Advantage insurance in Oklahoma because of its $3,000 in-network out-of-pocket maximum, among the lowest across all competing companies. Although its network of participating providers may not be as large as Aetna, UnitedHealth or Humana, if your doctor or specialist participates in the GlobalHealth HMO network, you could save thousands of dollars every year. 

3. Best for Low Copays: Humana

If you need diagnostic tests, lab services or even MRIs, Humana is a solid, all-around choice that gives you access to a large network of doctors and hospitals at a low cost. Even emergency care services and urgent care services, which are always covered, have a low $90 copay and a $45 copay respectively. Preventive services cost nothing as well, so if you’re in good health but need regular tests to stay that way, Humana is a great choice for your Medicare Advantage Plan. 

4. Best for Specialist Visits: Aetna

If you need to see a specialist for chronic condition management, Aetna helps you save money while still making sure you get the quality service you deserve. With low $30 copays for specialists and a large network of participating providers, this company is a reliable choice to help you properly manage your asthma, diabetes or other chronic health conditions. Although the yearly costs are generally on par with other providers, it’s still a good idea to get a free quote from Aetna when deciding among Medicare Advantage Plans. 

5. Best for Dental, Hearing and Vision Options: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

Although costlier than other comparative plans (the drug coverage deductible itself is nearly $500), if you want the additional benefits of vision, dental and hearing screenings, you’ll want to check out the optional package that adds coverage for preventive dental care and comprehensive dental services, as well as coverage for eyewear, hearing exams and hearing aids. This adds a $30.50 cost to your monthly premiums, but it’s a small price to pay for the little extras that can help you see, hear and feel better.  

What is Medicare?

Medicare is government-sponsored health insurance that covers a variety of medical expenses and hospital visits if you are 65 and older. You pay into Medicare by a percentage that is taken out of your paycheck before you receive it. Medicare is broken down into “parts” that each cover different health care needs. 

Part A: Medicare Part A covers hospital care. It may also cover a limited amount of time in a specialized nursing facility as well as hospice care or home health care. Part A doesn’t cover the complete hospital bill — just like with regular health insurance that you might buy on a state exchange or get from your employer — it only pays a certain percentage of the bill. You’ll be responsible for part of the cost as well as the deductible before Medicare kicks in. 

Part B: Part B covers expenses that aren’t related to hospital care, like doctor visits or blood tests. It can also cover outpatient care that doesn’t involve a stay in the hospital. You pay your deductible until your Part B benefits take over. This is generally 20% of the bill and assumes you go to doctors that accept Medicare patients. Medicare typically covers the full cost of blood tests and lab tests. 

Part C: This is a variety of Medicare plans that is offered by private companies that contract with Medicare. It bundles Part A and B Medicare and offers additional benefits like vision, dental or hearing screenings. Enrollment in Medicare Part C is optional. 

Part D: Medicare Part D plans are designed to cover prescription drug costs. They are also offered by private companies and each plan has its own specific payment option. Some Part D plans have a $0 plan payment, others have you pay a deductible and flat copayment amount. Like Part C, enrollment in Part D is optional.  

Legalities of Medicare in Oklahoma

Medicare is handled by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A portion (1.4%) is taken from your paycheck while your employee contributes another percentage (1.45%) and puts those earnings into FICA, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. Self-employed individuals pay both percentages. 

Although Medicare takes effect as soon as you turn 65, you don’t have to wait that long to enroll in the program. You can start 3 months before the month you turn 65 or up to 3 months later. It’s best to enroll as soon as you can so that you have health insurance coverage as you make the transition from workplace insurance to Medicare. 

Types of Medicare Advantage Plans

Private insurers divide Medicare Advantage plans into categories like HMO and PPO to simplify the types of coverage and to make the programs more cost-effective.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): HMO plans are designed to help you save money by coordinating care among your primary care physician and a network of hospitals and specialists who have agreed to accept Medicare patients under HMO-style plans. With an HMO, if you need to see a specialist, you’ll have to get a referral from your primary care physician. There are some exceptions, including emergency care and out-of-area urgent care. Prescription drugs are generally covered, but if you get non-emergency treatment outside of the HMO, you may have to pay the full cost of the bill.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Like HMO plans, PPO plans cost less if you use in-network doctors, however you aren’t as restricted as you may be with an HMO. With a PPO plan, you don’t need a referral to see a specialist and prescriptions are generally covered, although the trade-off is that there is more paperwork involved. For instance, if you get care outside of the PPO network, you may have to file a claim with your insurance company and then wait to be reimbursed.

How to Sign Up for Medicare in Oklahoma

Signing up for Medicare in Oklahoma is a straightforward process. It’s important to note, however, that this is not the same process as signing up for a Medicare Supplemental Insurance plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. 

Note these automatic enrollment processes: 

• If you’re already collecting Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A.
• If at the time you signed up for retirement benefits, you also enrolled in Medicare Part B, you’ll also automatically be enrolled in this part of Medicare. 
• If you live outside of the U.S. or D.C., you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A but will need to manually enroll yourself in Part B. 

In most cases enrolling in Medicare Part A is automatic, but there are some cases where you’ll need to enroll manually: 

• If you aren’t receiving retirement benefits and are within your enrollment period, you can enroll in Medicare only and defer your retirement benefits to a later time. 
• If you’re not eligible to receive retirement benefits, you will not be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You can still sign up for them during your enrollment period, however, you may have to pay a premium.

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Oklahoma

The amount you’ll pay for Medicare Advantage Plans in Oklahoma depends on the type of plan, such as HMO or PPO, as well as any extras you choose, like dental, vision or prescription drug coverage. Consult the table below for a general overview of Oklahoma Medicare Advantage plans in your area. 

Get Medicare Coverage in the Sooner State Soon 

You don’t want to wait too long to start comparing costs among Medicare Advantage plans to help you find the best one for your needs. We recommend getting quotes from each of the companies profiled here to determine exactly what you’ll pay for coverage that takes into account your specific circumstances, such as your age, medications you take and more.

By comparing quotes for your individual needs, you’ll be in a better position to choose the right plan to help ensure that healthcare in your golden years is the best it can be. 

Frequently Asked Questions