Want to learn more about your Medicare options in Waterbury, Connecticut? Let’s start with the numbers: Over 16,000 residents aged 65+ in Waterbury are eligible for Medicare. But which health insurance supplement is best for retirees?
Waterbury Connecticut Medicare plans
The insurance quotes below reflect the average Waterbury, Connecticut, Medicare beneficiary, a 73-year-old female. Prices for supplemental insurance to add to your Waterbury, Connecticut Original Medicare may vary for older individuals or males.
Average Medicare Advantage plans in Waterbury, Connecticut
The odds are that about 48% of Waterbury Medicare recipients will purchase a Medicare Advantage plan. Approximately 36 different Waterbury, Connecticut, Medicare Advantage plans are available for sale in New Haven County.
The average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is around $6,800. Carpenters of Connecticut and Aetna fall below this threshold, making them two of the more affordable plans. The rest have above-average out-of-pocket costs.
Anthem BCBS is the cheapest of the other three for maximum out-of-pocket expenses. It also has above-average customer service ratings. And beneficiaries will have a smaller but less costly HMO network of doctors and hospitals.
Despite their $0 premium, Connecticare and Wellcare are the most expensive, with $7,550 being their out-of-pocket maximum. After your medical costs exceed this limit, your insurance provider should cover the rest of your expenses. Additionally, Connecticare has a slight advantage over Wellcare based on customer service ratings.
PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
Carepartners of Connecticut | $0 | $4,900 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
Wellcare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | 3 |
Anthem BCBS | $0 | $7,300 | HMO | 4 |
Connecticare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | 4 |
Aetna | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
Cheapest Medicare Supplement Plans in Waterbury, Connecticut
Replacing your Medicare benefits with a private plan like Medicare Advantage can be daunting. If you’re not ready for that commitment, consider a Waterbury, Connecticut, Medicare Supplement insurance. These smaller, standardized, affordable supplements cover the coverage gaps in Original Medicare, so you don’t have to worry about them.
Your cheapest monthly premiums will come from plans with a high deductible. Plans HDF and HDG are highly comprehensive, but you’ll save a ton of money in monthly premiums if you’re willing to pay that annual deductible.
If you can’t afford a high deductible, that’s okay. Plan N is one of the cheapest plans available that still offers highly comprehensive care.
Plan C is far from your cheapest option. But it’s highly comprehensive and available to all beneficiaries. Furthermore, if you enroll as early as possible, it can drastically lower your Medigap premium.
LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
PLAN A | $182.25 | $1,518.33 |
PLAN B | $267.53 | $1,027.87 |
PLAN C | $376.00 | $436.22 |
PLAN D | $268.84 | $388.00 |
PLAN F | $260.00 | $799.83 |
PLAN HDF | $47.50 | $88.90 |
PLAN G | $206.00 | $628.99 |
PLAN HDG | $47.50 | $75.36 |
PLAN K | $66.00 | $135.00 |
PLAN L | $123.50 | $467.48 |
PLAN M | $232.58 | $608.97 |
PLAN N | $160.00 | $398.45 |
Affordable Medicare Part D in Waterbury, Connecticut
How can you afford expensive prescription drugs on Medicare? Most Medicare Advantage plans come with prescription drug plans built-in. But if you stick with Original Medicare, you will also need to enroll in a Waterbury, Connecticut Medicare Part D to get affordable prescription drug prices.
These plans charge you a monthly premium and insist you meet an annual deductible before you get your discounted drug prices. UnitedHealthcare is more affordable than it looks, based on this chart—your total upfront costs for the year amount to $662 when calculating monthly premiums and annual deductibles.
The two plans above the affordable median are Humana and Cigna. Humana comes out on top as far as affordability goes because they have a smaller monthly premium. They also have better customer service.
The most affordable plans are Aetna and Wellcare. They have average customer service ratings, but their monthly premiums are less than $15. Their low monthly premiums help make it easier for beneficiaries to afford that high annual deductible.
PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
Aetna | $7.40 | $480 | 3 |
Wellcare | $13.00 | $480 | 3 |
Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 |
Cigna | $32.10 | $480 | 3 |
Medicare Special Needs Plans
You may be rightfully worried about your medical costs if you have a crippling, debilitating medical disorder. There are Special Needs Plans for that with Medicare Advantage. You may have to replace your Original Medicare benefits with a private plan, but many beneficiaries with debilitating diseases (like ESRD) find a lot of value in it.
All of the SNPs below come with an affordable $0 monthly premium. Most of them, including Aetna, comes with a $7,550 out-of-pocket maximum. Aetna offers an HMO medical network, the type of network which traditionally keeps the cost of care affordably low.
The plan that can save you the most money looks to be Wellcare. It caps your out-of-pocket expenses at $3,450. Once you hit your out-of-pocket maximum, your provider’s financial responsibility is to cover your care.
There’s little difference between the remaining plans like Cigna, Anthem, or Connecticare. They all offer similar medical networks and out-of-pocket maximums. Your best bet is to call a company representative to see which plans offer the best benefits.
PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO-POS | Dual |
Wellcare | $0 | $3,450 | HMO | Dual |
Anthem BCBS | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
Connecticare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
Cigna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
FAQs
What Medicare Advantage plans are available in Waterbury, Connecticut?
There are 36 Medicare Advantage plans available for purchase in New Haven County, Connecticut. It’s important to compare and get rates from different providers to determine which plan is right for you.
What is the difference between a Medigap and a Medicare Advantage plan in Waterbury, Connecticut?
Medicare Advantage is a private insurance plan that provides another way to get your Medicare benefits with something as good or better, including prescription drugs or vision coverage. Medicare Supplement insurance is private insurance that only offers benefits for the gaps in Original Medicare coverage.
Everyone’s needs are different, so you’ll need to look at your situation to see if a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage is best for your needs.
What is Medigap Part D in Waterbury, Connecticut?
There’s no such thing as a Medigap Part D. There’s a Medigap Plan D, and there are Medicare Part D plans for prescription drugs. The former supplements your Medicare benefits so that you don’t fall prey to expensive gaps in coverage. The latter helps you afford the prescription drugs you need to live a long and happy life.
How to Sign Up for Supplemental Medicare in Waterbury
If you’re having trouble choosing a supplement, please get in touch with us. We will give you free rates to help you shop for the most affordable care. Call us at the number above, or complete our online rate form now.