Medicare in Indiana

Resources for Indiana Medicare Beneficiaries 

In the US, planning for your healthcare costs is critical, so learning a bit about Medicare’s many parts, enrollment periods, and applications or comparing and choosing a Medicare plan is very important. Why not dive into our resources?  

Medicare Basics         Choosing the Right Medicare Plan         Enrolling in Medicare

Making Medicare choices can be difficult, so assistance is helpful. Being a Hoosier grants you access to numerous resources, such as the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). SHIP employs advisors all around Indiana who collaborate with regional nonprofits, public health organizations, and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to disseminate Medicare knowledge and answer questions. 

Medicare Plan Options in Indiana  

In Indiana, you have several Medicare options. Original Medicare is available to people 65 and older, and those with qualifying disabilities approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA). A Medicare Advantage plan, which is available in the Hoosier State, may be a better option if you prefer more comprehensive coverage. There are other programs to consider as well like a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) and/or Medicare Supplement Insurance as well. 

Original Medicare (Parts A & B)  

First up, let’s talk Original Medicare. It is split into two parts: Medicare Part A, which covers hospital insurance, and Medicare Part B, covers medical insurance. Each Part of Medicare has different deductibles that apply for different services. For instance, before Original Medicare begins to pay, Part A has an inpatient hospital deductible per benefit period (each time you are admitted), while Part B has an annual deductible to be met for services before paying.  

Take these considerations if going with Original Medicare: 

• If you want the flexibility to choose and access medical professionals who accept Medicare anywhere in the United States. 
• There are no networks, copays, waiting periods, or restrictions based on pre-existing conditions. 

Medicare Advantage (Part C)  

Medicare Part C, which is another name for Medicare Advantage plans, is an alternative to Original Medicare coverage, and it is offered by private insurance companies. These plans cover at least what Medicare Parts A and B do, and they often offer additional benefits. Services are handled by a network of providers. Like a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), you may need a primary care doctor, a referral to see a specialist, and prior approval before you can get certain services, treatments, or medications. There are also other types of insurance, such as Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization-Point of Service (HMO-POS), and PFFS (Private Fee for Service) plans. 

Check out our Medicare Part C Resource Page to find out more about Medicare Advantage. 

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)  

Many Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage by default. You can also complement your Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy with a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). Part D coverage is provided independently by private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. Depending on the plan, select medications may be subject to a yearly deductible, copay, or coinsurance for each of your medications. 

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)  

Some Medicare recipients in Indiana decide to purchase a Medigap plan, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance. These plans “supplement” Original Medicare…get it? Medigap was designed to provide coverage for “gaps” that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Examples of Medicare Supplement covered gaps include but are not limited to medical care outside the U.S., Medicare Parts A and B deductibles and coinsurance.  

Since Original Medicare doesn’t pay for all of your medical bills, the Indiana Office of Insurance (IDOI) also provides guidance on how Medicare Supplement Insurance can help with out-of-pocket costs. 

Medicaid 

Founded in 1965, Medicaid has been a government-run healthcare program. According to federal requirements, each state runs its own Medicaid program. Both the state and federal governments are responsible for funding it. State governments have a great deal of freedom in creating and implementing their own program since federal restrictions vary. Therefore, Medicaid eligibility and benefits can—and typically do—differ from state to state. Medicaid makes it affordable for eligible people with low income to get access to healthcare, including kids, parents, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. 

How and when to sign up for Medicare in Indiana

Medicare is an insurance program run by the federal government if you are eligible. When people reach the age of 65, they become eligible for Medicare in the United States. The following scenarios also make you eligible for Medicare: 

• You are under 65 years old, permanently disabled, and have been getting disability benefits from Social Security for at least 24 months. You may also get disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board if you were a railroad employee. 
• You have been given a diagnosis of renal failure with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 
• You have been given a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. 

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Periods in Indiana and nationwide  

Here is a quick overview of the Medicare enrollment periods, and enrollment timeframes in which you can elect or change your Medicare Advantage plan. 

Phew! We’re almost done, Indianians. Healthpilot understands that navigating Medicare can be difficult and that adding enrollment timelines can be stressful. 

What is the best news you will hear today? Answer a few questions, and we’ll recommend the right plan for you, even allowing you to enroll safely online in minutes. We would be delighted to do all of the legwork for you. 

Once you become a Healthpilot customer, we continue to do this for you every year. When you have Healthpilot on your side, there is no need to keep track of enrollment periods.

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Key Stats

Some interesting facts about Medicare coverage in Indiana:   

• Medicare beneficiaries in Indiana total 1,283,965. This means that 19% of people have insurance, which is the same as the national average. 
• About 43% of Medicare customers in Indiana are enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage program, just slightly less than the national average of 45%. 
• In 2023, there will be 146 Medicare Advantage plans for people in Indiana. There were only 133 plans in 2022. There are now 9.8% more plans available as a result. 
• In Indiana, a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan premium costs as little as $4.80 per month. 
• And since we promised you a fun fact about Indiana: The Bloody Mary was made for the first time in 1971 at the French Lick Springs Hotel in French Lick Springs, Indiana. Louis Perrin, a bartender, ran out of orange juice, so he squeezed some tomatoes and made a cocktail. Genius! 

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