Many Medicare recipients in Georgia enjoy knowing they have healthcare coverage — about 1,027,000, to be exact. Of this number, some of these Georgians have all parts of Original Medicare, while the others might have just some aspect of it.

Original Medicare is excellent for beneficiaries, but those looking for a little more coverage or maybe even something that expands upon Parts A & B can heavily ponder getting a Supplemental Medicare plan for things that aren’t covered otherwise.

Georgia Medicare Insurance Plans

In the Peach State, 1,040,000 citizens have either Part A or Part B of Original Medicare.

Of those people, roughly 874,000 Georgians aged into one of those two parts, while nearly 166,000 state residents entered the program through disability.

Prescription drug coverage through Part D is essential to those who live in the Peach State — a little more than 1,256,000 boomers elected to enroll in one.

Medicare Costs in Georgia

We will discuss Medicare Supplemental plans further down, which can impact your overall cost for your desired coverage. But here, let’s peer into what comprises Original Medicare and what options are offered for a particular financial outlay.

Part A will take care of all your inpatient care — your hospital visits. Any trips to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, long-term rehab facilities, and hospice care fall under this premium-free portion of Original Medicare.

Part B of Medicare will activate if you need a yearly checkup or an appointment with your primary care physician. Part B will also provide aspects of your healthcare, like flu shots and medical equipment or supplies.

The best part of Original Medicare is the costs are standardized for anyone who qualifies: no premium for Part A and a fixed premium for Part B.

Medicare Part A Costs in 2023 Medicare Part B Costs in 2023
  • Part A is premium-free for most
  • Part A deductible is $1,600 per benefit period
  • Inpatient hospital stay days 61-90 is $400
  • The standard Part B premium is $164.90
  • The annual deductible for Part B is $226
  • Medicare pays 80%, you pay 20% out-of-pocket

Original Medicare Coverage in Georgia

In the Peach State, over 895,000 dwellers have both Parts A & B of Original Medicare. Over 752,000 joined the program due to age; another 143,000-plus were awarded these benefits through disability.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Coverage)

  • Inpatient care in hospitals
  • Skilled nursing facility care
  • Hospice care
  • Home health care
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

  • Services from doctors and health providers
  • Outpatient care
  • Home health care
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Some preventive services

Selecting Supplemental Medicare Plans in Georgia

So after talking about Original Medicare and its Parts A & B, you might think you’re set for your healthcare coverage. However, there are many gaps in what Original Medicare offers and what might arise to protect your health.

That’s where Medigap, Part C, and Part D come into play. These various supplementary coverages can make your health insurance nearly airtight to insulate you from any high, shocking costs should you need medical care.

Medigap refers to any additional coverage you purchase to close the gaps. What you need to be covered and where you live determine the cost. So it’s important to note that those living in Atlanta will not see the same rates as those in Savannah or Augusta.

Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, replaces Original Medicare. If you’re wondering why, here’s the explanation.

A private company follows the government’s Medicare guidance to offer these plans for a small monthly premium. The private company, not the government, is now in charge of your Original Medicare.

These private companies can also offer additional healthcare providers and other benefits that Original Medicare might not provide. These can include dental, vision, gym memberships, and more.

Part C can also cover you if you travel outside the country. The private company can customize your coverage to include things you need and omit things you don’t need for one price.

Part D of Medicare is an optional prescription drug program. Unless you opt for a Medicare Advantage plan that includes this type of coverage, Original Medicare from the government doesn’t have prescription drugs.

Simply put, medication can be expensive. Even though Part D does come with a monthly premium, it can save you a lot of money over a year — and beyond.

Georgia Medicare Resources

Georgia’s Department of Human Services has its Division of Aging Services, which is the entity that offers the state’s SHIP program. SHIP, which stands for State Health Insurance Assistance Program, utilizes volunteers to help Medicare beneficiaries with advice and information to make the best decisions.

The Peach State also has robust resources if its citizens seek Medicaid help. Georgia offers the facts you’re seeking and makes state funding available to help those on Medicaid.

Cities in Georgia with Estimated Premiums for Medicare Supplement Coverage

Charts with estimated premiums exist for Medicare Supplement coverage in Georgia for the following cities:

FAQs

Who is eligible for Medicare in Georgia?

Georgia has the same Medicare requirements as every other state in America. Those are:

  • Be 65 years or older, or the spouse of someone who is.
  • Have ten years (or 40 work quarter credits) of viable work history
  • Be a US citizen
  • Have a qualifying disability and have also been drawing disability income for at least 24 months

Is Medicare free in Georgia?

If you meet the qualifying indicators listed in the previous section, Part A is premium-free for its recipients. Part B is also provided to those same people but has a small monthly premium standard for everyone in the United States.

At what age do you qualify for Medicare in Georgia?

You must be 65 years or older to receive Medicare or the spouse of someone who is. Some special cases can draw as early as 62, but those people must have a rare, listed disability and have been drawing disability for at least 24 months before Medicare will kick in.

What is the best Medicare plan in Georgia?

Original Medicare is available to every qualifying person in Georgia. Original Medicare — Parts A & B — are the same for everyone. If you search for Supplemental Medicare plans, the best one is the one that gives you the most coverage for what you can afford. The price of these plans will vary by each private company and your characteristics.

How to Sign Up for Supplemental Medicare in Georgia

Hopefully, Medicare is more approachable after reading this information for Georgia residents. But there are still many things to consider, and there’s no issue with receiving help in this arena. That’s why our licensed agents are standing by to guide you through the critical process of obtaining a Supplemental Medicare plan that fits your needs.

The best part of using our agents is it’s of no cost to you. So when you’ve decided that you need more benefits than Original Medicare extends, give us a call today or fill out our handy and easy online rate form. This way, we can assist in finding the best and most cost-effective Supplemental Medicare plan for you.

Written By:
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Lindsay Malzone, Lindsay Malzone is the Medicare editor for Medigap.com. She's been contributing to many well-known publications since 2017. Her passion is educating Medicare beneficiaries on all their supplemental Medicare options so they can make an informed decision on their healthcare coverage.
Reviewed By:
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Rodolfo Marrero, Rodolfo Marrero is one of the co-founders at Medigap.com. He has been helping consumers find the right coverage since the site was founded in 2013. Rodolfo is a licensed insurance agent that works hand-in-hand with the team to ensure the accuracy of the content.