In Pennsylvania, nearly 2,767,000 residents enrolled in Medicare. Of these beneficiaries residing in the Keystone State, a portion is part of every facet of Medicare. Meanwhile, some enjoy a piece of Medicare.

Pennsylvania has a demand for supplemental Medicare plans and several options. Keep reading to learn more about these options and the number of Pennsylvania citizens currently enjoying Medicare.

Looking at the number of residents on Medicare in Pennsylvania

  • A bit more than 1,560,000 beneficiaries are enrolled in Part A of Medicare.
  • Of those, about 1,324,000 people aged into it. Also, roughly 237,000 receive it through a disability.
  • A little less than 2,110,000 boomers have a Part D prescription drug plan.
  • Those on Medicare with Medicare Advantage plans total nearly 1,220,000 Pennsylvanians.

Breakdown of Medicare costs in Pennsylvania

The most important aspects of Medicare its recipients want to know are:

  1. What is covered?
  2. How much will it cost me?

To that end, let’s look at Original Medicare. Part A of Medicare is responsible for any visits to the hospital you might end up requiring and covers inpatient services.

This Part of Medicare is free of charge (but carries a $1,632 total deductible per benefit period) as long as you’re 65 years or older, have a work history spanning ten years or more, and are a US citizen. Medicare Part A covers most hospital visits, one possible exception being long-term custodial care.

The other half of Original Medicare is Part B coverage for everything unrelated to hospital visits. Coverage is standardized for Part B, but there is a small premium to pay for it. (Which is $240 for the year) Medicare Part B provides coverage for physical exams, regular check-ups, vaccines, and other specialized care is insured.

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

Understanding Original Medicare

Many Pennsylvania residents enrolled in Part A and Part B of Medicare — a smidge over 1,331,000 Pennsylvanians. That breaks down to 1,131,000 who started Medicare at 65 and 200,000 who received Medicare because of a 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

Finding Medicare plans for Pennsylvania residents

When looking for supplemental Medicare plans, they can serve three functions:

  • Replace certain aspects of Medicare
  • Enhance the coverage you already have
  • Cover the gap between what you have and what you feel is truly needed

The good thing is that Medicare Part A and B carry the same benefits and potential costs regardless of the state in which a beneficiary resides. So Pennsylvanians can rest assured on that matter. Medicare Supplemental plans, also called Medigap, are meant to provide more options for current coverage or fill in the gaps.

One thing people from Pennsylvania need to know, however, is that the price of these supplemental plans will vary based on your location in the state. So those in Philadelphia won’t see the same rates for plans as their Keystone State counterparts in Pittsburgh.

What supplemental Medicare plans do for their beneficiaries is well established, but customers find other aspects of these setups appealing. For instance, these plans are easy to understand and use. Being easy to understand helps mitigate one of the biggest complaints about health insurance — it’s sometimes difficult to comprehend.

Knowing your Medicare resources in Pennsylvania

One of the state’s predominant resources for Medicare — and other health insurance needs — is the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. This state-run organization connects older Pennsylvanians with all their health coverage options. Pennsylvania directly offers Medicare counseling through the Department of Aging with PA MEDI. This way, no beneficiary has to be in the dark regarding one of the most important aspects of later life.

If Medicaid is what you’re looking for, Pennsylvania has you covered with its Medical Assistance program. While the state handles Medicaid, we’re the ones who can help with any of your supplemental Medicare plan needs!

Pennsylvania cities with Medicare Supplement coverage’s estimated premiums

Medicare Supplement plans are great for many but do carry monthly premiums. For the following cities, here are charts illustrating projected costs:

FAQs

Does Pennsylvania have Medicare?

Yes, Pennsylvania does indeed offer its residents Medicare. Nearly 3 million people in the state currently enjoy the benefits of Original Medicare, and more beneficiaries become eligible daily.

What is Medicare called in Pennsylvania?

Parts A & B of Pennsylvania Medicare are called Original Medicare. Medicare coverage and costs are the same in the 49 states and US territories the federal government offers to its citizens.

Who is eligible for Medicare and Medicaid in PA?

For Pennsylvania Medicare, being 65 years or older and being a US citizen is all it takes to be eligible for Medicare. If you have a qualifying disability, you can receive Medicare even if you’re under 65 as long as you’ve been collecting SSDI for at least 24 months.

Medicaid is a bit different. To qualify, you must be considered low-income, a child or pregnant woman, or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). There are 72.5 million people in the United States, making it the most used health coverage.

How to sign up for Medicare plans in Pennsylvania

With a wealth of information and options to sort through, it’s still not the most straightforward process for an individual. That’s why using a licensed agent is a great idea when making these decisions regarding your health coverage.

If you’re worried about what a licensed agent might cost, don’t — because it’s free. Placing a call or completing this simple rate form will connect you with rates in your area today!

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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.