Nearly 480,000 Medicare beneficiaries reside in Birmingham, Alabama. Medicare enrollees choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage Programs at a rate of 48.30%, which is higher than the national average.
In the following sections, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these plans for Birmingham, Alabama, and Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare plans for Birmingham, Alabama
You can obtain coverage for services typically paid out-of-pocket by purchasing an Alabama supplement plan. Medigap plans offer different benefits than Medicare Advantage plans, so Medicare beneficiaries need to review their options carefully.
Below, we will look at different plan options with quotes based on a 65-year-old female beneficiary.
Medicare Advantage plans
There are 37 Alabama Medicare Advantage plans available in Birmingham. These options have significant differences in benefits and costs, but all offer meaningful value to beneficiaries.
One of the best health plan providers in the state is Wellcare (HMO). Wellcare’s affordable and high-quality services are suited to those who want the most for their money, as their plan comes with a competitive MOOP (maximum out-of-pocket) of $4,900.
Likewise, Cigna (HMO) is a fantastic option for clients focusing on reliable service. The MOOP is slightly higher than competitors at $5,000, but this option receives a four-star rating and a zero monthly premium.
Humana (Local PPO) is an excellent PPO plan that provides solid coverage at an affordable price. Humana’s zero-dollar monthly premium and extremely reasonable $3,400 maximum out-of-pocket cost make it ideal for beneficiaries who prefer to avoid HMO plans.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Birmingham, Alabama
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Wellcare | $0 | $4,900 | HMO | N/A |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $5,000 | HMO | 4 |
| Cigna | $0 | $5,000 | HMO | 4 |
| Aetna | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $3,400 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
Medicare Supplement plans
Purchasing a Birmingham, Alabama, Medicare Supplement plan can reduce costs that Original Medicare in Alabama does not cover. The benefit of these plans is that they protect beneficiaries from the expenses they would otherwise need to pay themselves. Supplement plan benefits remain the same with every carrier and every state, but premiums will vary.
Plan G is popular with beneficiaries due to its balance of coverage and cost. The cost of this Medigap policy varies from $115.37 to $342.90. Insurance will pay most of your medical expenses with this plan, including your Part B deductible.
Another one of the most popular Medigap plans is Plan F. Despite higher premiums than other Medigap plans, this plan offers attractive benefits. Plan F has monthly premiums ranging from $128.02 to $357.62.
Beneficiaries who want to maximize coverage without excessive premiums can explore high-deductible plans. For example, an extremely affordable option for beneficiaries in Birmingham, Alabama, Plan HDF offers monthly premiums ranging from $27 to $77.90.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Birmingham, Alabama
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $75.92 | $214.86 |
| PLAN B | $123.05 | $305.50 |
| PLAN C | $135.80 | $355.37 |
| PLAN D | $121.92 | $236.87 |
| PLAN F | $128.02 | $357.62 |
| PLAN HDF | $27.00 | $77.90 |
| PLAN G | $115.37 | $342.90 |
| PLAN HDG | $27.00 | $76.00 |
| PLAN K | $44.66 | $112.75 |
| PLAN L | $69.83 | $200.87 |
| PLAN M | $82.84 | $189.81 |
| PLAN N | $84.87 | $241.37 |
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Alabama Part D plans will help cover the costs of prescription medications. No Medigap plans offer Part D coverage; only some Medicare Advantage plans do. Therefore, enrolling in Part D in Birmingham, Alabama, is vital to building a comprehensive Medicare coverage plan.
Aetna offers the cheapest local plan, with a premium of $6.50, a three-star plan rating, and a deductible of $480.
Wellcare’s plan has a higher premium at $12.90 a month and a deductible of $480.
UnitedHealthcare’s deductible is lower, at $310, but it has a slightly higher monthly premium at $29.30. Despite the higher premium, this plan has an impressively high four-star rating.
The average cost of Medicare Part D plans in Birmingham, Alabama
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $6.50 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $12.90 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring Health | $16.30 | $480 | 2 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 |
Special Needs plans
A Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) offers medical coverage tailored to the needs of beneficiaries with specific medical conditions or disabilities. Unfortunately, these plans aren’t available in all areas.
Wellcare offers an SNP with a MOOP of $3,450 and a $0 monthly premium for dual-eligibility patients.
Additionally, Ascension Complete’s plan for dual-eligible beneficiaries has the same MOOP of $3,450.
Another solid option with dual eligibility is Aetna’s HMO plan, which has a MOOP of $7,550 and a monthly premium of $21.80.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Birmingham, Alabama
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Wellcare | $0 | $3,450 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
| Simpra Advantage | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
| Ascension Complete | $0 | $3,450 | HMO | Dual |
| Cigna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Aetna | $21.80 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Birmingham, Alabama
Whether you want to enroll in Medigap, Part D, or Medicare Advantage, our licensed agents are here to help. They need to collect your information to determine what supplemental Medicare plans are available in Birmingham, Alabama, to meet your healthcare needs. Give us a call, or complete our form to get rates.
