Wisconsin Senior Health Insurance
Explore Your Options
With Wisconsin’s endless list of outdoor activities, this may be the ideal state to retire in for anyone who loves hunting, fishing and all four seasons. Once you become eligible for Medicare make sure you understand the different Medicare Supplemental options available to you.
Residents in Wisconsin have the option to sign up on a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap), Prescriptions Drug Plan (Part D) or Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). Let’s take a minute to explain what these different plan options entail.
Medicare Supplement Plans are standardized plans by the government. While most states follow a standardized format of plan types A-N, Wisconsin along with Minnesota and Massachusetts run off a different standardized format. Plan types are selected on a scale of different rider options. Because of the complexity of these plans, be sure to call a Specialist at MySeniorHealthPlan.com to explain what different Medicare Supplement options you have. Medicare Supplement Plans do not include prescription drug coverage. This is why they are commonly paired with a Prescription Drug Plan.
Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) are stand-alone plans designed to help cover the cost of your prescriptions. Prescriptions are covered under different tier levels; this information can be found in the plan’s formulary. Wisconsin offers a prescription drug assistance program called Senior Care. The program is designed specifically to help seniors with their prescription drug costs. There are no income limits, however the higher your income the less help you may receive. For more details please visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/factsheets/p10078.htm
Next, you can explore Medicare Advantage Plans. Medicare Advantage Plans are county based plans that typically have drug coverage built into the benefits. However, not all MAPD’s have drug coverage built in so it’s important you understand the benefits of your plan. This type of plan is a network based plan so to ensure you can keep your current doctor, make sure that your doctor accepts the plan you intend to enroll into. The specialists at MySeniorHealthPlan.com can walk you through this and make sure that you are signing up for a plan that fits your needs.
Some retirees of Wisconsin also have benefits through Indian Health Services. The relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes constitutes various rules to follow. However, CMS has made Medicare and Medicaid healthcare services accessible to all Native Americans who eligible. For more information visit http://www.ihs.gov
Senior Resources:
Medicare: www.medicare.gov
Wisconsin Senior Care Information: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/index.htm
Wisconsin Department of Aging: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov