Medicare supplements are very popular in Worcester, Massachusetts. Around 40% of beneficiaries are at least supplementing with Medicare Advantage. But that’s not your only option!
Medicare plans in Worcester, Massachusetts
The average Medicare beneficiary in Massachusetts is only 70 years old in Worcester. Around 54% are female, and 46% are male — but all of them should review their Medicare Supplement plan annually and make changes as necessary.
Medicare Advantage plans
87,804 Medicare recipients in Worcester don’t have a Massachusetts Part C plan. There are also 50 different plans to choose from in Worcester County. Medicare Advantage plans might not be for everybody, but they are worth considering if you don’t currently have a Medicare Supplement.
Humana is a great option to consider if you want affordability. They have the lowest maximum out-of-pocket cost out of the city’s top Medicare Advantage plans. They also have a 4-star customer service rating and a PPO medical network, which means more choice at a price you can afford.
The next most affordable plan would be UnitedHealthcare. They also have a 4-star customer service rating. But they are an HMO medical network, which means less choice. Their maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher, capped at $5,700.
The least affordable plan belongs to Mass Advantage. They have the highest out-of-pocket costs, which are capped at $7,550. It comes with a PPO network, which is good, but no customer service ratings.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Worchester, Massachusetts
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Mass Advantage | $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Humana | $0 | $4,800 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Wellcare | $0 | $6,500 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $5,700 | HMO | 4 |
| Aetna | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | 4 |
Please remember that if we haven’t answered your questions, our Medicare Advantage FAQ pages will have answers for you.
Medicare Supplement plans
Medigap plans are meant to cover the costs of the gaps in Massachusetts Medicare coverage and nothing more. The three programs available in Massachusetts streamline the process more so than in other states.
Younger beneficiaries will have two different plans to choose from, and those eligible to enroll in Medicare before January 1, 2020, will have three.
The Medigap Core Plan and the Medigap Supplement 1A plan are available to everyone now. The Core Plan covers your basic benefits plus extras. This is why it’s the lowest-cost plan — it doesn’t cover as much as the other supplements.
If you want basic benefits covered, 120 days of inpatient mental health coverage, and help with your coinsurance costs, you would probably prefer Supplement 1A. It also provides foreign travel coverage and helps with your Part A deductible.
Medigap Supplement 1 in Worcester, Massachusetts, is identical to Supplement 1A but covers your Part B deductible. Unfortunately, you can only apply for it if you have been eligible to enroll in Medicare before January 1, 2020. You could not purchase this plan if you were eligible later than that date.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Worchester, Massachusetts
| PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| CORE | $113.58 | $203.79 |
| SUPPLEMENT 1 | $205.70 | $329.84 |
| SUPPLEMENT 1A | $165.75 | $319.54 |
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Medicare Part D is the simple way to keep your prescription drugs affordable in Massachusetts with Original Medicare. Pay your monthly premium, meet your deductible, and that’s it! From that moment on, your prescriptions are significantly discounted.
When trying to find the cheapest plan, calculate the cost of your monthly premiums and your annual deductible. For Worcester, Massachusetts, that plan is from Aetna. The total annual costs for premiums and deductibles are less than $569.
The next cheapest plan is from Wellcare. There’s a bit of a price jump because their monthly premium is nearly double that of Aetna. But you only look at $662 worth of upfront costs before you get your discounted drugs.
Some beneficiaries may be surprised to learn that the next cheapest plan is from UnitedHealthcare. Yes, the monthly premium is pricey. But that low $310 deductible lowers your up-front costs than those of Humana or Cigna. Make sure you stay out of the Medicare coverage gap to keep your costs as low as possible.
The average cost of Medicare Part D plans in Worchester, Massachusetts
| 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 |
Special Needs plans
Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNP) are available for beneficiaries with chronic illnesses such as End-Stage Renal Disease. They should help lower your healthcare costs despite your expensive medical needs.
If your goal is to minimize your out-of-pocket costs, consider Tufts Health. Their $3,450 MOOP is the lowest available. They also have a $0 monthly premium.
All of the other plans have a substantially higher maximum out-of-pocket cost. Whether you’re talking about UnitedHealthcare, Senior Whole, Commonwealth, or Fallon, your insurance provider won’t let you pay more than $7,550 in any given year.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Worchester, Massachusetts
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Tufts Health | $0 | $3,450 | HMO | Dual |
| Senior Whole | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Commonwealth | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Fallon | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Worcester, Massachusetts
Do you want to get free rate quotes so you can start shopping for a better Medicare plan right now? Just fill out our online rate request form, and we will be with you shortly. It’s that easy to save money on your healthcare costs.
