In Chandler, Arizona, there’s a 50-50 split between Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Which side of that fence do you fall on, and are you getting the best deal? Keep reading to find out!
Medicare plans in Chandler, Arizona
The data below reflects the average cost for a 75-year-old retiree in Chandler, Arizona. It’s important to remember that Original Medicare in Arizona works the same way it does in every other state. It’s your supplemental Medicare options that will change based on your area.
Affordable Medicare Advantage plans in Chandler, Arizona
In Maricopa County, where Chandler is located, there are 60 different Medicare Advantage plans which beneficiaries can choose from. Having that much variety can help you get a better, more competitive rate!
All Medicare Advantage plans ins Arizona are designed to be affordable. But the most affordable plan with the highest customer service rating is Unitedhealthcare. It has a 4-star rating, a $3,000 annual maximum out-of-pocket cost, and a $0 monthly premium.
Banner is the most affordable Medicare Advantage plan with the lowest customer service rating. The annual maximum out-of-pocket cost is $2,775, but their current customer service rating is non-existent. They also have a $0 monthly premium.
Both Banner and UnitedHealthcare have limited HMO medical networks. Humana is the most affordable PPO medical network, giving you more provider choices. It also has a 4-star customer service rating and a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $4,400.
PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
Humana | $0 | $4,400 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $3,000 | HMO | 4 |
Banner | $0 | $2,775 | HMO | N/A |
BCBS of Arizona | $0 | $4,250 | HMO | 3 |
Aetna | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
For more details about how Medicare Advantage plans work, please visit our Medicare Advantage FAQ pages.
Affordable Medicare Supplement plans in Chandler, Arizona
Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans in Arizona are very different. Medicare Advantage is a fully comprehensive health plan meant to replace (and potentially be better than) Original Medicare. Medigap plans cover the gaps in your Original Medicare coverage, nothing more.
Let’s compare some of the most popular plans. Plan F is the most popular plan because it offers the most coverage. But it can also be the most expensive plan at upwards of $534.65 per month. The lowest Plan F quotes available are $152.35; you could pay a third of that if you agreed to a high-deductible plan.
Plan G is the next most popular because it offers everything Plan F does (except for Part B deductible coverage). This means Plan G quotes can range from $133.73 to $493.81 per month. Again, agreeing to purchase a high-deductible plan can significantly lower your monthly premium.
Lastly, Plan N ranks #3 in both coverage and affordability. Plan N is almost identical to Plan G, with two significant exceptions. Plan N does not cover excess Part B charges as Plan G does. And although it covers most of your Part B coinsurance costs, you will still have $20 office visit co-pays and $50 ER visit co-pays to worry about.
LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
PLAN A | $112.23 | $492.96 |
PLAN B | $164.66 | $376.06 |
PLAN C | $167.35 | $421.75 |
PLAN D | $156.33 | $353.00 |
PLAN F | $152.35 | $534.65 |
PLAN HDF | $49.14 | $72.12 |
PLAN G | $133.73 | $493.81 |
PLAN HDG | $46.68 | $72.54 |
PLAN K | $47.58 | $161.00 |
PLAN L | $93.67 | $308.37 |
PLAN M | $102.92 | $349.79 |
PLAN N | $106.98 | $363.18 |
Medigap can sometimes be confusing, so visit our Medigap FAQ pages for more info.
Affordable Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
If you stick with Original Medicare, Medicare Part D in Arizona is your only prescription drug option. You pay a monthly premium and an annual deductible, and your prescriptions will be drastically discounted after you meet that deductible. But you must shop for the cheapest rate to get the best deal.
Plans with higher premiums usually have lower deductibles and vice versa. But the discounted cost of your drugs will also affect the cost of your monthly premiums. UnitedHealthcare is the prescription drug plan in Chandler, Arizona, with the lowest deductible right now of $310.
All other plans have a $480 deductible, including Aetna. So the difference is the monthly premium. Aetna’s monthly premium is $7.50 and has a 3-star customer service rating.
The least affordable plan is from Clear Spring. They charge $29.10 per month in addition to their $480 deductible. And they only have a 2-star rating as far as customer service goes.
PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
Aetna | $7.50 | $480 | 3 |
Wellcare | $13.00 | $480 | 3 |
Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
UnitedHealthcare | $27.60 | $310 | 4 |
Clear Spring | $29.10 | $480 | 2 |
For more info on prescription drug coverage with Original Medicare, you can visit our Part D FAQ pages.
Medicare Special Needs plans
Sometimes, chronic diseases such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) will make your healthcare so expensive that you need a Special Needs Plan (SNP). For better or worse, these are only available from Medicare Advantage. They limit their medical networks to keep costs low, but they try to choose doctors and facilities which specialize in the care that your disability requires.
Magellan and Banner have unique eligibility criteria for enrollees. To qualify for a plan, your chronic illness must be both disabling and chronic. Both come with a $0 monthly premium, but Banner is much cheaper at $2,900 maximum out-of-pocket costs. The Magellan cap is much higher at $7,550.
Scan Desert is the most affordable plan with $0 monthly premiums and $2,800 in out-of-pocket costs annually. To qualify, your health condition can either be chronic or disabling. It does not have to be both.
The least affordable plan with the lowest eligibility qualifications is from Alignment. It also comes with a $0 monthly premium but a higher maximum out-of-pocket cost cap of $3,400.
PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
Globalhealth | $0 | $2,900 | HMO | Chronic or Disabling |
Alignment | $0 | $3,400 | HMO | Chronic or Disabling |
Magellan | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
Banner | $0 | $2,900 | HMO | Dual |
Scan Desert | $0 | $2,800 | HMO | Chronic or Disabling |
FAQs
What is the average cost of a Medicare Part D plan in Chandler, Arizona?
The average monthly premium for a Part D plan is $31.50, with most programs requiring a $505 deductible or less.
What is Medicare Part N in Arizona?
There’s no such thing. But there is a Medigap Plan N, the third most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plan available.
What is not covered by Medigap in Arizona?
You will have to get private health plans (like Medicare Part D for prescription drugs) if you need this type of coverage but don’t want to give up your Original Medicare or your Medigap plan. Other items and services not included by Original Medicare include elective surgery and routine dental coverage.
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Chandler, Arizona
If you want to get free, competitive rates quoted to you so that you can shop around for the best deal, please fill out our customer contact form. You can also give us a call at the number above. We have friendly and knowledgeable Medicare agents waiting to help you right now.