A Guide to Georgia Medicare

There are well over one and a half million Georgia Medicare beneficiaries, and each one has unique individual needs. Even though Medicare is a federal program, each state has different plans and options that relate more specifically to state residents. While certain parts of Medicare stay consistent state-wide, plan specifics can vary drastically by state.

A Guide to Georgia Medicare Includes:

Who is eligible for Medicare in Georgia?

Anybody who legally lives in Georgia and is over the age of 65 is eligible for Georgia Medicare. Whether or not you have any preexisting health conditions or concerns will not make a difference! You have a seven month period to enroll in GA Medicare. It is called the “Initial Enrollment Period” and it begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after, for a total of a seven month period. If you wait too long to enroll, you will still be eligible for GA Medicare but you will most likely have to pay a penalty fee.

In some cases, you do not have to be 65 years of age or older to enroll in Georgia Medicare. If you have been receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for over two years, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. Additionally, if you receive railroad retirement benefits or have a qualifying illness like ESRD or ALS, you can qualify.

What does Medicare cover in Georgia?

Like in all states, Georgia Medicare coverage is broken up into parts. Everyone will begin with Part A. You are then required to enroll in Part B, as well as Part D or another prescription drug coverage option. If you do not enroll in a form of prescription drug coverage during your Initial Enrollment Period, you will be charged a late enrollment penalty fee.

If you are looking for an alternative to Part D (a standalone prescription drug plan), you’ll want to select either a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan.

What Medicare plans are available in Georgia?

In Georgia, Medicare beneficiaries have access to Original Medicare (the federal program) and privately owned Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans.

Georgia Medicare Advantage Plans

Georgia Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies. That means that even though they are still regulated by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), they do have some freedom to add their own benefits. Most GA Medicare Advantage plans add items like prescription drug coverage, fitness, transportation, dental, vision, and hearing. Medicare Advantage would replace your Part A and B and add additional benefits.

Georgia Medicare Supplement Plans

Much like Georgia Medicare Advantage plans, Georgia Medigap, or Medicare Supplement plans, are owned by private carriers. They still operate under Medicare rules and regulations, but they add more coverage. Instead of replacing your Part A and B, a Georgia Medicare Supplement plan would help you pay for your other plan costs, like your deductibles and copayments. Some Medigap plans do include prescription drug coverage or fitness benefits, but those plans can be hard to find.

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Where do I apply for Medicare in Georgia?

You can apply for Medicare in Georgia by visiting your local Social Security office, enroll online with Social Security, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

How do I apply for Medicare in Georgia?

If you’re interested in adding a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you should enroll in Original Medicare first to get started. Then, contact a Medicare Plan Finder agent to find the best plan for you and your needs.Back to Top

What is the cost of GA Medicare?

The cost of your Medicare plan in Georgia will vary based on the extra benefits you select. If you decide to add Medicare Advantage or Medigap, there are several different plan options with different costs. However, if you choose to only have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), your costs will be federally regulated as the following (2019):

$0 Part A Premium: Worked and paid Medicare taxes for over 39 quarters
$240 Part A Premium: Worked and paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters
$437 Part A Premium: Did not work or pay Medicare taxes for at least 30 quarters
$135.50 Part B Premium

Can I have Medicare and Medicaid in Georgia?

In short, yes! It is possible to be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid in Georgia. If you meet the income requirements for Georgia Medicaid but also meet Georgia Medicare eligibility, you can get benefits from both programs.

To get help choosing a Medicare plan, contact a Medicare Plan Finder licensed agent by completing this form or calling 844-431-1832.

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A Guide to Georgia Medicare