Tennessee is an affordable and beautiful state for retirement. Many Medicare beneficiaries are full of nature and music and settle on Tennessee as a retirement location. The state is home to over 800,000 beneficiaries, with over half enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. There are 573,746 Medicare participants enrolled in Medicare Part C.
Medicare Advantage plans in Tennessee
Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare Part C. These are all-in-one plans administered by private health insurance companies such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Wellcare. When you enroll in one of these plans, you put your Traditional Benefits on hold, and the Medicare Advantage company now handles your benefits.
These plans must cover the same benefits as Original Medicare but often include your drug coverage and additional benefits not covered under Medicare. Since different companies administer these plans, their benefits will vary depending on where you live and your chosen plan. Looking at the benefits summary to ensure you’re getting the best plan for your needs is best.
Medicare Advantage plans available
As mentioned above, these plans differ depending on where you live and which insurance carrier and plan you choose. Most counties in Tennessee offer between 26 and 50 plans in each area. The information in the illustrations below is based on one specific zip code. The plans available to you may vary slightly.
We’ll cover a Medicare Advantage and which plans have options without a premium. Then, we’ll review which programs don’t include a deductible for prescriptions and 5-star rated plans.
Next, we’ll discuss plans that reduce the amount you pay for the Part B premium and the additional benefits included. Finally, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions and how to get help choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar premium
An insurance plan with a zero-dollar premium sounds too good to be true, but remember, these are part of the Medicare program. These may or may not be the right plan for you. Plans with a zero-premium may have higher costs in other areas. Make sure you review the coverage documents to ensure you understand the cost and benefits.
Wellcare is one of the premier Medicare Advantage companies. They have become a household name along with Humana and UnitedHealthcare in Medicare.
Cigna is one of the most storied and stable insurance companies. They offer great plans in the Medicare market. In Tennessee, their zero-premium program has a 4-star rating.
BCBS of Tennessee is the Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate in Tennessee. Most people have enrolled with BCBC throughout their lifetimes. They are a great company, extending to its Medicare arm.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Wellcare | $0 | $4,500 | HMO-POS | 3 |
| Cigna | $0 | $5,900 | HMO | 4 |
| BCBS of Tennessee | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $5,900 | HMO | 5 |
| Ascension Complete | $0 | $2,900 | HMO | N/A |
Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar drug deductible
Medicare Advantage plans to follow the standard drug coverage phases. This means they are allowed to have a deductible for prescription coverage. While some plans include a deductible for some prescription tiers, not all charge a deductible.
Wellcare’s HMO-POS is an example of a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn’t have a deductible. You’ll notice they have a reasonable maximum out-of-pocket as well.
Ascension Complete is a relatively small Medicare Advantage company. They are new to the area and don’t have a star rating assigned to the HMO shown. They have the lowest maximum out-of-pocket plan without a deductible.
BCBS of Tennessee gives you access to a PPO plan without a deductible.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Wellcare | $0 | $4,500 | HMO-POS | 3 |
| Cigna | $0 | $5,900 | HMO | 4 |
| BCBS of Tennessee | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $5,900 | HMO | 5 |
| Ascension Complete | $0 | $2,900 | HMO | N/A |
Medicare Advantage plans with a 5-star rating
Medicare Part C and D plans are graded by their star ratings. A company with the highest rating of five stars can enroll members year-round. If you’re looking to add or change a Medicare Advantage plan outside the regular enrollment periods, you can consider the 5-star plan in your area.
Humana is one of the nation’s largest providers of Medicare Advantage plans. In this area, they have a 5-star HMO with not only a zero premium but also without a prescription deductible. Humana is always a solid choice when it comes to your Medicare plan.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Humana | $0 | $5,900 | HMO | 5 |
Part B reduction
Part B reduction plans are called giveback plans. These plans are unavailable in all areas, and the giveback amount differs for each plan. As we mentioned above, the zero-premium plans, these plans could have higher copays and out-of-pocket costs. Make sure you review your summary of benefits.
Ascension Complete offers the largest reduction amount. Their plan reduces what you pay for your Medicare Part B by $100 a month. That’s $1,200 a year in savings.
Wellcare has a few options for lowering your Part B premium. Depending on your chosen plan, their plans can help reduce your Part B premium by $40 or $45.
BCBS of Tennessee also provides a giveback plan. Their plan has a higher star rating than either of the Wellcare options and reduces your Medicare premiums by $40 a month.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PART B REDUCTION | STAR RATINGS |
| Wellcare | $0 | $4,500 | $40.00 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $0 | $6,700 | $45.00 | 3 |
| BCBS of Tennessee | $0 | $4,900 | $40.00 | 4 |
| Ascension Complete | $0 | $2,900 | $100.00 | N/A |
| Humana | $0 | $3,400 | $6.00 | 3 |
Ancillary/DVH
One of the biggest attractions of a Medicare Advantage plan is the available benefits. Medicare doesn’t cover anything that’s not considered medically necessary. This means services such as dental, vision, and hearing copays aren’t included.
Medicare Part C plans usually will include these types of benefits. In addition, you could find plans that offer gym memberships, food allowances, over-the-counter benefits, utility assistance, and more.
Just remember not all plans will offer all benefits. You can check the coverage evidence or the benefits summary to see what additional benefits the plan includes.
Cities in Tennessee with estimated premiums for Medigap coverage
Medigap plans in Tennessee are popular and help a lot of people. Below, there are charts for some of the most populated cities in the state:
FAQs
Does Tennessee have Medicare Advantage plans?
Tennessee has various Medicare Advantage plans, and most counties have 25 to 50 available plans. Plan options include HMO, PPO, HMO-POS, SNP, and PFFS style plans.
What’s the average cost of a Medicare Advantage plan in Tennessee?
There are many Part C plans in Tennessee that have a zero-premium. The average cost overall is around $20 a month.
Does Humana have Medicare Advantage plans in Tennessee?
Yes! Humana has a handful of Medicare Advantage plan options in Tennessee. They also have 5-star rated plans in some areas and plans with a zero-premium.
How to get help enrolling in a Tennessee Medicare Advantage plan
With so many plans available and all with different coverage options and costs, it’s wise to enlist help deciphering what’s available to you.
Our licensed insurance brokers are specialists in all things related to Medicare. We can help you determine which plans cover the benefits you want. It can help with a cost and needs analysis to see which plans will fit your budget and needs appropriately.
We’ll help you every step of the way. Give us a call or fill out our online request form for assistance with Medicare plans. We’ll be happy to assist you with any questions, concerns, or help you need.
