Supplemental plans are available to fill gaps not covered by Original Medicare in Fort Smith, Arkansas. For Fort Smith, the number of Plan A and B beneficiaries is 80,324. The MA participation rate for Fort Smith is 32.58%.
Medicare plans in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Medicare beneficiaries in Fort Smith, Arkansas, who enroll in a Supplemental Medicare plan can significantly improve their healthcare. by covering additional costs not covered under their Arkansas Original Medicare plan.
The below stats are based on a 65-year-old male.
Medicare Advantage plans
Fort Smith has 54,151 Medicare beneficiaries and 26,173 Arkansas Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. FFS is a fee-for-service where a provider pays for each service. Examples of FFS include Original Medicare and some Medicare Advantage plans.
Arkansas Blue is a popular choice, as it has a zero-dollar monthly premium and a $5,500 MOOP rate (maximum out-of-pocket). In addition, this plan is a Local PPO, meaning it has a small service region.
Aetna is another Local PPO with a four-star rating, zero monthly premium, and a $5,800 MOOP rate. A majority of their plans include dental, vision, and hearing.
For a popular HMO, many Fort Smith residents turn to Health Advantage. This three-star rating plan has a zero-dollar premium and a $6,000 MOOP rate. However, HMOs only cover in-network care and require referrals for any specialty care.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Fort Smith, Arkansas
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Arkansas Blue | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Humana | $0 | $3,900 | REGIONAL PPO | 3 |
| Aetna | $0 | $5,800 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Health Advantage | $0 | $6,000 | HMO | 3 |
| Wellcare | $0 | $4,900 | HMO | 3 |
Medicare Supplement plans
Arkansas Medicare supplemental plans cover medical costs not covered under Original Medicare in Fort Smith. Since the government standardizes these plans, they all have the same benefits across the country. The only difference between the plans is the monthly premiums.
Plan G is popular among Fort Smith residents. Its premiums range from $131.30 to $427.25. It doesn’t cover medications, so beneficiaries would still need a Part D plan.
Another plan patients choose is Plan HDG. This plan’s premiums are $39.53 to $63.50. It balances these low premiums with a higher deductible, so that’s something to consider.
Patients also can choose Plan HDF. This popular plan has a premium range similar to Plan HDG, with premiums ranging from $39.53 and $85.05. However, this plan is discontinued in many places, so it may not be available in your area.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Fort Smith, Arkansas
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $107.54 | $379.64 |
| PLAN B | $160.17 | $851.10 |
| PLAN C | $164.72 | $356.50 |
| PLAN D | $139.66 | $291.00 |
| PLAN F | $158.85 | $459.99 |
| PLAN HDF | $39.53 | $85.05 |
| PLAN G | $131.30 | $427.25 |
| PLAN HDG | $39.53 | $63.50 |
| PLAN K | $64.83 | $151.00 |
| PLAN L | $81.67 | $216.32 |
| PLAN M | $98.83 | $264.39 |
| PLAN N | $105.67 | $311.83 |
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Original Medicare plans in Fort Smith, Arkansas, don’t cover some prescriptions. Also, Medigap plans don’t cover any medications, and only some Medicare Advantage plans cover medications. As a result, many patients enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan to solve this problem.
Aetna has a $6.40 monthly premium, a $480 deductible, and a three-star rating. It covers prescription medication for Arkansas through its Silver Script program. It also offers a 24-hour nurse line.
Clear Spring Health has a $16.80 monthly premium, a $480 deductible, and a two-star rating. It offers both PPO and HMO coverage. All of these cover prescription drugs.
Patients can also choose Arkansas Blue. This plan has a $24.60 monthly premium, a three-star rating, and a $350 deductible. Recently, these plans have included a $500 debit card to help cover expenses.
The average cost of Medicare Part D in Fort Smith, Arkansas
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $6.40 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $12.90 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring Health | $16.80 | $480 | 2 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
| Arkansas Blue | $24.60 | $350 | 3 |
Special Needs plans
A subset of Medicare Advantage plans, Special Needs Plans (SNPs), are used to help people with special needs or chronic disabilities. They can help patients with conditions not covered under Original Medicare in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Tribute Health is an HMO-POS plan with a zero-dollar monthly premium, a MOOP rate of $7,550, and dual eligibility. It covers medical equipment like walkers and physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
UnitedHealthcare also has dual eligibility, a zero-dollar monthly premium, and a MOOP rate of $7,550. However, unlike Tribute Health, it’s a Local PPO. So, that limits provider options.
Some patients opt for Humana instead. Humana is an HMO with a zero-dollar monthly premium, a MOOP rate of $3,450, and dual eligibility. Humana also offers plans for those with chronic conditions like heart disease.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Fort, Smith Arkansas
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Tribute Health | $0 | $7,550 | HMO-POS | Dual |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
| Humana | $0 | $3,450 | HMO | Dual |
| Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4.60 | $7,550 | REGIONAL PPO | Chronic or Disabling |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Fort Smith
Supplemental Medicare plans in Fort Smith, Arkansas, can be a great way to ensure you have the coverage you need. When you work with our team of licensed insurance agents, we will help get you set up with the best plan for your needs. We offer free services and will work with all carriers in Fort Smith.
So, give us a call today. Or fill out our online rate form to get the best rates in your area!
