Many Pocatello, Idaho, residents rely on Medicare for their health insurance coverage. However, Original Medicare is often insufficient to protect beneficiaries from high medical expenses adequately.
This article discusses the supplemental plans available to Pocatello, Idaho, Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare plans in Pocatello, Idaho
Purchasing a Medicare supplemental health plan will help cover services typically paid for out-of-pocket. Pocatello, Idaho, Medicare beneficiaries select their preferred method from various supplemental Medicare plan types and insurance companies.
Medicare insurance plans include Medicare Supplement insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. The information below uses quotes based on an average 65-year-old female Pocatello beneficiary.
Medicare Advantage plans
There are 18 Medicare Advantage plans in Pocatello, Idaho. These options differ significantly in terms of benefits and prices, but all are valuable options for beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage plans often provide enrollees with additional benefits, prescription drug coverage, and lower healthcare costs.
Humana’s Local PPO has an affordable MOOP (maximum out-of-pocket cost) of $5,000 and a four-star rating, indicating high overall plan effectiveness.
Even though UnitedHealthcare’s HMO plan has a higher MOOP than competitors at $6,700, it has a four-star rating and offers a zero-dollar monthly premium.
Blue Cross of Idaho’s Local PPO plan offers solid coverage at an affordable price. This plan has a MOOP of $6,200, a zero-dollar monthly premium, and a high four-star rating.
Medicare Advantage plans are network-based. HMO plans require you to use in-network providers for services except in emergencies. PPO plans allow out-of-network items and services but expect to pay a higher copay or coinsurance in that case.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Pocatello, Idaho
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Blue Cross of Idaho | $0 | $3,400 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Humana | $0 | $5,000 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | 4 |
| PacificSource | $0 | $3,500 | LOCAL PPO | 3 |
| Blue Cross of Idaho | $0 | $6,200 | HMO | 4 |
Medicare Supplement plans
A Pocatello, Idaho Medicare Supplement plan can help you cover costs that Original Medicare does not cover. They are advantageous because they shield beneficiaries from the expenses they would pay themselves under most circumstances. Your state and county will determine the cost, but you’ll receive the same benefits wherever you live.
Its balance between price and protection makes Plan G popular with beneficiaries — prices for this Idaho Medigap plan range between $154 and $257.47 per month. With Plan G, Medicare covers the majority of medical costs.
The Medigap Plan F is another popular plan. Plan F offers comprehensive coverage, covers excess charges, and costs $190 to $304.42 monthly.
High-deductible plans are an option for beneficiaries who need to minimize the monthly cost of healthcare. Plan HDG, for instance, offers affordable premiums in Pocatello, Idaho, ranging from $46 to $69 per month.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Pocatello, Idaho
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $103.00 | $241.10 |
| PLAN B | $148.00 | $195.15 |
| PLAN C | $189.00 | $350.00 |
| PLAN D | $162.08 | $207.88 |
| PLAN F | $190.00 | $304.42 |
| PLAN HDF | $46.00 | $92.10 |
| PLAN G | $154.00 | $257.47 |
| PLAN HDG | $46.00 | $69.00 |
| PLAN K | $62.75 | $182.00 |
| PLAN L | $123.50 | $152.00 |
| PLAN M | $180.21 | N/A |
| PLAN N | $111.16 | $196.35 |
Medicare Part D Plans prescription drug plans
A Pocatello, Idaho, Medicare Part D plan covers the cost of prescription medications. Medigap and most Medicare Advantage plans do ’t cover these costs, so this coverage is crucial. In Pocatello, Idaho, enrolling in Part D is vital to building an adequate Medicare coverage plan.
Locally, Aetna offers Idaho’s most affordable plan, which costs $6.90 a month with a deductible of $480.
Plan premiums for Wellcare are higher, at $11.30 a month with a $480 deductible.
At $22.70, Humana’s premiums are a barrier for some, but its deductible is the same at $480.
The average cost of Medicare Part D plans in Pocatello, Idaho
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $6.90 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $11.30 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring | $16.10 | $480 | 2 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.40 | $310 | 4 |
Special Needs plans
Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Advantage plans designed to help those with chronic disabilities or special needs lower healthcare costs. Unfortunately, these plans are ’t available in every area.
Blue Cross of Idaho offers an HMO SNP with a MOOP of $3,000 for beneficiaries with dual eligibility. Those with dual eligibility receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Beyond that, Molina Healthcare offers two plans with dual eligibility that provide MOOPs for $7,550 and $2,000. The plan with the lower MOOP has a monthly premium of $42.90
Keep in mind Dual Special Needs plans will typically coordinate benefits with Medicaid. Beneficiaries enrolled in these plans will have little to no out-of-pocket when using their healthcare.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Pocatello, Idaho
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Molina Healthcare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Blue Cross of Idaho | $0 | $3,000 | HMO | Dual |
| Molina Healthcare | $42.90 | $2,000 | HMO | Dual |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Pocatello
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the enrollment process for Medicare in Pocatello, Idaho. We can assist you if you have trouble selecting the right Medicare supplemental plan. Call us now to get started. Or fill out our online rate form to get the best rates for your area today.
