Arkansas Senior Health Insurance
Explore Your Options
Arkansas is among the top ten states with the lowest cost of living in the United States. Most people who decide to retire in Arkansas were born and raised in the state. It’s no wonder with its national parks, historic sites and mild weather that people decide to grow up and eventually retire in Arkansas. Once you reach retirement age or become eligible for Medicare you should be well versed in your health insurance options. You can sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan, Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Supplement Plans, also known as Medigap plans are secondary plans that work with your Medicare Part A and B. These plans are standardized by the government and come in coverage types such as Plan A, B, C, D. F, G, K, L, M and N. Each type will vary in coverage to fill in the “gaps” that original Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare Supplements are state specific, but you are able to use your benefits nationwide. For those who like to travel this may be something to consider. Medicare Supplement Plans allow you to see any doctor that accepts Medicare without obtaining a referral from your Primary Care Physician. Another important thing to consider is that these plans do not include prescription drug coverage.
Prescription Drug Plans, or Part D, are stand-alone plans offered by private insurance companies. Prescription Drug Plans are usually purchased with a Medicare Supplement. Prescriptions are covered based on different tier levels and, depending on the carrier, will have an assortment of premiums and co-pays. Not all plans cover the same prescriptions under the same tier level. Contact a Senior Health Specialist at MySeniorHealthPlan.com to make sure you enroll into a plan that covers your prescriptions. Not taking any prescriptions? Most people still sign up for a PDP to avoid the penalty for not having drug coverage or to make sure they are covered should they need to take prescriptions in the future. If you need Extra Help paying for your prescriptions, please visit: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/ to learn more about the penalty, please call My Senior Health Plan, or visit http://www.medicare.gov/part-d/costs/penalty/part-d-late-enrollment-penalty.html.
Similar to other states, Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas are offered based on county. Medicare Advantage Plans, or Part C, are network-based plans. Although you still have Medicare Part A and B, your MAPD plan will become your primary insurance. Because these are county-based plans, a plan available to you may not be available in the next county over. Anytime you move counties, please contact a Specialist at MySeniorHealthPlan.com to help walk you through your new options. This type of plan can change premiums and or benefits from year to year, so take advantage of MySeniorHealthPlan.com’s free annual plan analysis between October 15th and December 7th.
If you are a resident of Arkansas that also receives Indian Health Services benefits you still have access to these types of Medicare Plans. The relationship between the Federal Government and Native American tribes constitutes various rules to follow. However, CMS has made Medicare & Medicaid healthcare services accessible to all Native Americans who are eligible. For more information visit http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/American-Indian-Alaska-Native/AIAN/
Senior Resources:
Indian Health Services: http://www.ihs.gov
Medicare: www.Medicare.gov
Arkansas Department of Aging and Adult Services: http://www.daas.ar.gov
Arkansas State Site: www.arkansas.gov
