Pennsylvania Senior Health Insurance
Explore Your Options
When deciding to retire in Pennsylvania, it’s important to understand the Senior Health Insurance options available to you. Some residents in Pennsylvania may decide to work after retirement age and therefore are able to keep their health insurance benefits while still working. However, in some cases you may not be getting the best coverage through your employer if you are eligible for Medicare. It’s important to educate yourself on your Medicare options whether you are working or not. By calling a Specialist at MySeniorHealthPlan.com you can get a free comparison of your employer plan with your Medicare options. If you are not working after 65, then a Specialist at MySeniorHealthPlan.com can compare all of your Medicare options for you right over the phone.
Residents in Pennsylvania have the option to enroll into a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap), Prescription Drug Plan (Part D or PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).
Medicare Supplement Plans are plans standardized by the government. These plans are state-wide; meaning anyone in Pennsylvania can enroll into one. While your premium is determined by your state, you are able to use your benefits nationwide. Medicare Supplements are non-network-based plans, meaning you can see any doctor or specialist that accepts Medicare. Medicare Supplement Plans are designed to help cover coinsurance, deductibles and copays. Medicare Supplement Plans do not include prescription drug coverage, therefore are most commonly paired with a Prescription Drug Plan.
Prescription Drug Plans are stand-alone policies offered by private insurance carriers. As mentioned, they can be purchased to accompany your Medicare Supplement Plan or purchased alone to compliment your Original Medicare Parts A and B. Prescription Drug Plans are not meant to cover 100% of your prescription cost, but to help lower your costs. Prescription Drug Plans have a monthly premium and can offer copay as low as $0. If you need Extra Help paying for your prescriptions, please click here.
Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies. These plans are regulated and approved by CMS, the Centers of Medicaid and Medicare Services. Although you still have Medicare Part A and B, these benefits are now handled by your chosen carrier. Medicare Advantage Plans are county based, meaning out of the 66 counties in Pennsylvania different plans are offered throughout each county. You do not need a Medicare Supplement Plan if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan. These are network-based plans so you may need a referral to see a Specialist outside of your Primary Care Physician. For many, it’s important to keep their PCP, so call MySeniorHealthPlan.com to see which plans your PCP accepts. Medicare Advantage Plans typically include prescription drug coverage. However, this is not always true so be sure you know the benefits of the plan in which you choose to enroll.
Senior Resources:
Medicare: www.medicare.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Pennsylvania Department of Aging: http://www.aging.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.VUd5gCFVhBc
