More than 884,870 Medicare recipients call Boston, Massachusetts, their home (for part of the year, at least). And a whopping 643,254 are still receiving Original Medicare. This means that over half a million retirees in Boston could now require a supplement policy.
Medicare plans in Boston, Massachusetts
As far as Boston goes, the average age for Massachusetts Medicare beneficiaries in the city is 72 years. Adjusting your Medicare coverage is never too late, regardless of how old you’re. Doing so regularly is a good idea, as your medical needs will inevitably change over time.
Affordable Medicare Advantage plans in Boston, Massachusetts
There are 42 Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plans available for residents of Suffolk County. If you’re one of the Medicare beneficiaries without one, now is the time to start shopping.
You have many great options in Boston, including several PPO plans, which give you abundant choices. The most affordable of those is the Wellcare plan. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any customer service ratings right now.
If you are looking for an affordable HMO, look no further than Aetna. Its maximum out-of-pocket costs are capped at $6,700. And it has a 4-star customer service rating, too.
Tufts Health is the least affordable option, according to our data. It has a very high MOOP, and its HMO network limits where you can get your care. But it does have a stellar five-star customer service rating.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| BCBS of Massachusetts | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Wellcare | $0 | $6,500 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Tufts Health | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | 5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 3 |
| Aetna | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | 4 |
Average Medicare Supplement plans in Boston, Massachusetts
Medicare Advantage plans are full and comprehensive health insurance plans that offer another path to receive your Original Medicare benefits. A MA plan will contain equal or better benefits. On the other hand, Medigap plans offer just enough coverage to cover your Original Medicare gaps.
Beneficiaries who want to save money on their Massachusetts Medicare Supplement plan should start with the Core Plan. You get a lot of basic benefits with it, including 365 days of additional hospital coverage. And you can get this for as little as $114 per month.
The Medicare Supplement 1 plan starts at $206 per month in premiums. It’s a special plan only available to older beneficiaries eligible to enroll in Original Medicare before January 1, 2020. You can’t purchase this plan if your enrollment date comes after that.
Medigap Supplement 1A, however, is available to everybody (just like the Core Plan). It’s the 2nd most comprehensive Medigap plan available in Boston, Massachusetts. But it can also be the most expensive if you’re not careful. Supplement 1A plans run between $166-$320 per month in premium costs.
| PLANS | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| CORE | $113.58 | $203.79 |
| SUPPLEMENT 1 | $205.70 | $329.84 |
| SUPPLEMENT 1A | $165.75 | $319.54 |
Cheapest prescription drug plans
The Medicare prescription Part D drug plan in Massachusetts subsidizes the cost of your prescriptions. It’s not available if you have a Medicare Advantage plan. But if you have Original Medicare, it can drastically reduce your drug costs after you meet your annual deductible.
But you must pay a monthly premium, deductible, and any copays or coinsurance listed in your formulary. The plan with the cheapest monthly premium right now is Aetna at $7.40. This plan also requires a $480 deductible.
Cigna is the farthest you can get from a cheap prescription drug plan in Boston, Massachusetts. It costs over $32 monthly in premiums and has a higher deductible. You’re looking at at least $865 in upfront costs before you start saving money on your prescriptions.
Price-wise, UnitedHealthcare is right in the middle. They have a low $310 deductible and an average $29.30 monthly premium. They also have an impressive four-star customer rating.
| 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
Do you have a chronic illness? Then you may need to switch to a Medicare Advantage to save money with a Special Needs Plan.
Thankfully, all the SNPs available in Boston now have a $0 monthly premium. If you want to pay the least out-of-pocket costs, then look at Tufts Health. They offer an HMO plan if your qualifying health condition is chronic and disabling.
The other plans, including BMC Healthnet, are very similar concerning pricing. Four top five below plans cap your annual out-of-pocket costs at $7,550. But you might want to reach out and ask them about the doctors and facilities in their networks so that you can get care from the best possible source.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Commonwealth | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Senior Whole | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| BMC Healthnet | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Tufts Health | $0 | $3,450 | HMO | Dual |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
FAQs
How much does Medicare Advantage cost in Boston, Massachusetts?
Most plans start with a $0 monthly premium and go from there. Your biggest concerns are your maximum out-of-pocket costs, coinsurance, and copays.
Is Medigap Plan G available in Boston?
Massachusetts doesn’t follow the standardized Medicare rules. However, their Medicap Plan 1A is nearly identical to Plan G. Or, if you’re trying to save money, you can purchase a Core Plan.
Which company has the best Medicare Advantage plan in Boston?
BCBS of Massachusetts has a four-star customer service rating, a PPO medical network, and some of the lowest maximum out-of-pocket costs. Alternatively, Wellcare has lower maximum out-of-pocket costs, but our data on their customer service expertise is inconclusive.
How to Sign Up for Supplemental Medicare in Boston, Massachusetts
If you’re from Beantown or thereabouts, we can help you get Supplemental Medicare in Massachusetts’ largest city. Covering your out-of-pocket costs is huge, and a Medigap plan can do just that.
We’re backed by licensed insurance agents that are the best in the Medicare field. They can answer any Medicare questions and lay out all your options.
Talking to an agent is free for you, so give us a call today. Or, if you prefer, fill out our quick and easy online rate form to be connected with the best rates in the area.
