When considering places to retire, you wouldn’t immediately consider Columbia. It’s more known as a college town known for the Missouri Tigers. There are, however, quite a few Medicare beneficiaries that live here. Currently, Medicare members exceed 141,842. Below we’ll discuss the available Columbia, Missouri, Medicare plans and how to enroll.
Medicare plans in Columbia, Missouri
Throughout this article, we’ll discuss various Medicare in Missouri topics. First, we’ll review affordable Medicare Advantage plans and the average cost of Medicare Supplement plans. Then, we’ll cover the cheapest prescription drug and special needs plan options. Finally, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions and show you how to get help with your Columbia Medicare options.
All information provided below will be based on a 65-year-old woman. The prices for some options could differ depending on your age or sex.
Medicare Advantage plans
Columbia is in Boone County. Residents have 24 Medicare Part C plan options from which to choose. 41,941 beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. About 54% of Medicare Advantage participants are female.
Essence Healthcare is a relatively small Medicare Advantage provider in Missouri. They’re regionally focused but have the highest star rating you can receive. Their HMO also has the lowest maximum out-of-pocket shown at $3,000.
UnitedHealthcare has a $0 PPO with a 4-star rating. UHC is the largest Medicare provider in the nation. Backed by AARP, UHC is a household name for many Medicare beneficiaries.
Humana is also one of the more renowned companies that offer Medicare plans. They have excellent customer service. They have a regional PPO with a $0 premium that matches the maximum out-of-pocket contained in the UnitedHealthcare option.
The costs of Medicare Advantage plans in Columbia, Missouri
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $3,900 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $3,900 | REGIONAL PPO | 3 |
| Aetna | $0 | $4,500 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Anthem BCBS | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Essence | $0 | $3,000 | HMO | 5 |
Medicare Supplement plans
Next, we’re going to discuss Medigap options. Medicare Supplement plans in Missouri go hand in hand with Original Medicare. These plans help cover costs that are left to you after Medicare pays. There are 10 Plan options to choose from. Medigap Plans have the same coverage regardless of which insurance company you use or where you live.
When considering the right choice for your Medicare Supplement options, there are only a few things to consider. These plans allow you to see any doctor that accepts Medicare nationwide. Only a few programs have what most would consider fully comprehensive coverage.
Top Medicare Supplement plans
Plan F is the most popular choice. You simply pay your monthly premium, and Plan F takes care of the rest.
Plan G is almost identical to Plan F. The only difference is you must pay Medicare’s Part B annual deductible. Once that’s paid, it works exactly the same as Plan F.
Plan N is growing in popularity. Plan Ns increased in popularity because it gives the best value for your spending. You still pay the Part B deductible, but you also pay a small copay when visiting the doctor or emergency room.
Plan F and Plan G have high deductible options labeled Plans HDF and HDG. These plans often have a significantly lower premium, but you pay your Medicare cost share until you reach your high deductible. These plans are good options for people that have savings or don’t go to the doctor often.
Due to the MACRA Act, Plan F and HDF are no longer available for new Medicare beneficiaries.
The costs of Medicare Supplement plans in Columbia, Missouri
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $92.50 | $304.58 |
| PLAN B | $131.75 | $288.94 |
| PLAN C | $163.36 | $284.87 |
| PLAN D | $151.02 | $240.00 |
| PLAN F | $162.23 | $350.13 |
| PLAN HDF | $42.00 | $60.62 |
| PLAN G | $124.25 | $307.58 |
| PLAN HDG | $42.00 | $59.50 |
| PLAN K | $52.50 | $107.54 |
| PLAN L | $89.50 | $243.07 |
| PLAN M | $122.10 | $283.10 |
| PLAN N | $107.66 | $222.78 |
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Medicare prescription coverage in Missouri can be the most complicated part of Medicare. There are only two ways to receive Medicare drug coverage. You can include it with most Medicare Advantage plans or choose a stand-alone Part D plan.
Either way, you choose, they must follow the same structure laid out by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They can, however, offer more robust benefits than outlined in those structural guidelines.
Medicare Drug plans include four phases.
- Deductible
- Initial
- Coverage Gap, more commonly referred to as the donut hole
- Catastrophic
Aetna has the cheapest drug plan in the nation through its brand SilverScript. CVS is the parent company of Aetna, so in many cases choosing to pick up your scripts from CVS will save you money if you enroll in an Aetna plan.
Wellcare ranks second in the nation on the most affordable Medicare drug plan. With a premium under $13, they are becoming a common name in the Medicare space.
Humana rounds out the top three. With their Walmart Branded drug plan. You can find significant savings on specific scripts at Walmart.
The costs of Medicare Part D plans in Columbia, Missouri
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $6.80 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $12.90 | $480 | 3 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
| Clear Spring | $28.70 | $480 | 2 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.40 | $310 | 4 |
Special Needs plans
Special Needs plans are Medicare Advantages specially designed for particular beneficiaries in specific demographics.
SNPs fall into a few categories:
- D-SNP – Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans work for Medicare beneficiaries with Medicaid
- C-CSNP – Chronic Special Needs Plans help beneficiaries with certain chronic health conditions. Examples are COPD, Heart Disease, and Diabetes.
- I-SNP – Institutionalized Special Needs Plans allow Medicare members to change if they are going in, living in, or exiting an institutionalized setting.
Aetna is one of the Medicare market’s oldest and most recognizable names. They have plans nationwide and have one of the most unique dental programs in the Medicare space.
Humana and UnitedHealthcare are every day Medicare staples. In Columbia, they both have a dual SNP that allows both in and out-of-network coverage. This is a unique offering to have a PPO option as a Medicare/Medicaid SNP.
Anthem has been around as a Blue Cross affiliate for quite some time. They also have a plan specifically designed for low-income Medicare beneficiaries in Columbia.
The costs of Medicare Special Needs plans in Columbia, Missouri
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Humana | $0 | $3,450 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
| Anthem Healthkeepers | $0 | $5,500 | HMO | Dual |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
| Provider Partners | $33.40 | $7,550 | HMO | Institutional |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Columbia, Missouri
We understand that having so many options to decipher can be overwhelming. Take a deep breath because you’re not alone. Let us assist you in taking the confusion and frustration out of the process. Our Medicare experts can help educate you on the basics of Medicare and your plan options.
We can check to ensure all your needs are met and even guide you through the enrollment process. Give us a call, or fill out our online request form for help.
