Table of Contents

Medicare Plans by State

STATE -Select-
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Page Reviewed / Updated – September 18, 2022

Established in 1997 as a private alternative to Original Medicare coverage, Medicare Advantage is a type of health insurance that provides the same benefits as Part A and B in a single plan. It may also cover other health products and services that are important to the well-being of Delaware seniors, such as dental, vision and hearing. In most cases, Part C coverage will include prescription drug benefits. Private insurance companies manage Medicare Advantage plans. They can cover the same benefits as Original Medicare because the federal government partly funds them.

Of the Delaware residents enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, close to 60,000 people accounted for 18% of All Medicare users in the state in 2020. This is one of the lowest Part C enrollment rates in the United States, which likely reflects the small size of the state. The national average is 42%, which has been growing steadily since the program’s inception. The federal government regulates Delaware insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans, but they have a certain amount of autonomy regarding member costs, such as deductibles, copays, premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses. Each senior’s specific costs will depend on the type of coverage they prefer. 

With the help of this guide, Delaware seniors can learn if Medicare Advantage is the right option for their health needs. They can learn about coverage options, potential costs, eligibility requirements and how to enroll. 

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Delaware

Several companies provide Medicare Advantage plans for Delaware seniors. The table below lists the top 10 providers by total enrollment. Since many of these companies offer more than one plan, the column for costs presents them in a range, usually from $0 to an affordable monthly figure. The table also lists the Medicare star ratings given to each company, which range from 0 to 5 stars. This rating, based on satisfaction surveys, changes each fall before the open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage begins. The information in the below table is current as of April 2022. For the latest information about Part C plans in Delaware, seniors can go to Medicare.gov.

Name

Total Enrollment

Star Rating

Min Cost

Max Cost

Plan Types

UnitedHealthcare

19,360

4

$0

$0

HMO, PPO

Aetna Medicare

19,338

4

$0

$84

HMO, PPO

Humana

12,343

4

$0

$70

HMO, PPO

Cigna

4,833

3.5

$0

$60

HMO, PPO

Highmark Inc.

3,113

0

$0

$35

PPO

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

192

0

$0

$0

PPO

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

55

0

$0

$0

PPO

Independence Blue Cross

39

0

$0

$0

HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

38

0

$0

$0

PPO

Braven Health

13

0

$0

$0

PPO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Delaware

Medicare Advantage plans are unique in every state, so it’s important for Delaware seniors to understand how Part C works for them. Private companies offer four types of plans: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Private Fee for Service (PFFS) and Special Needs Plans (SNP). Each plan type has a different balance of provider options, out-of-pocket costs and covered services to account for the needs of as many seniors as possible. 

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Delaware

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will only certify a Medicare Advantage plan if it covers the same benefits as Original Medicare Parts A and B, except for hospice care. This includes inpatient hospital care, preventative screenings, durable medical equipment, home health care and more. Some seniors prefer Medicare Advantage because it bundles these benefits with additional coverage, such as vision, dental, prescription drugs, transportation and specialized health and wellness programs. 



Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?

Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?

Preventive Screenings

Yes

Yes

Hospital Care

Yes

Yes

Durable Medical Equipment

Yes

Yes

Prescription Drugs

No

Yes**

Vision Care

No

Yes*

Dental Care

No

Yes*

Hearing Aids

No

Yes*

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in Delaware

Like Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage requires its members to be aged 65 or older or have a qualifying disability. Beneficiaries must also be U.S. citizens or documented immigrants. While some plans may be available statewide, other plans may only provide coverage for seniors in specific counties. Applicants will need to live in their provider’s service area to qualify, but some companies offer provisions for beneficiaries who live outside the service area for parts of the year. Delaware seniors will need to already have Parts A and B to switch to Medicare Advantage. Enrollment in these plans is only available during certain periods, which seniors can find listed below. 

  • Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.

Start Date

End Date

Initial Coverage Election
Period

3 Months Before One’s
65th Birth Month

3 Months After One’s
65th Birth Month

Annual Election Period
(AEP)

October 15th

December 7th

Medicare Advantage Open
Enrollment Period

January 1st

March 31st

Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.

How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in Delaware

Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.

First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.

Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan



State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources

Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau

The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB), previously known as ELDERinfo, is the State Health Insurance Program for the state of Delaware. A free resource for all seniors on Medicare, as well as those under 65 who will soon enroll in Medicare, DMAB offers comprehensive insurance counseling to help seniors make the best possible choice. Through this organization, seniors can receive counseling on Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D plans, medical assistance programs, long-term care insurance and Medicare billing problems. As a resource of the state, this program can be used as often as necessary, with no limits on access. DMAB also offers extensive written guides on Medicare for seniors to use when starting the selection process. In-person meetings with counselors are also available, as are Welcome to Medicare live information sessions at locations around the state.

Contact Info

Seniors can contact the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau at 1-800-336-9500 or 1-302-674-7364 to schedule a counseling session.

Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities

The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities is a state agency put in place to support the needs of seniors and those with disabilities, with integrity, dignity and respect. As an advocacy organization, seniors can access a wide range of information related to aging and available state resources, including Medicare and Medicaid. Seniors with questions about Medicare and other state services that cover medical costs and other aging-related programming can contact the free helpline. This service is available to all aging residents of Delaware, as well as those with physical disabilities.

Contact Info

Seniors can contact the Delaware Division of Services for Aging Adults and Adults with Physical Disabilities by phone at 1-800-223-9074.

Delaware Consumer Assistance – Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight

Delaware Consumer Assistance Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight is a government agency organized under the Affordable Care Act. This program offers consumer assistance for a wide range of insurance-related resources throughout the state, including private employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, Veteran’s Affairs and Medicare. Seniors and individuals with health insurance questions or concerns can contact the Delaware Consumer Assistance program for access to free and confidential support. This program is open to all residents of Delaware, including seniors seeking help with Medicare resources.

Contact Info

The Delaware Consumer Assistance Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight can be reached at 1-888-393-2789 or at any of the service-specific numbers listed.

Visit Website
Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center

The Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ARDC) is a comprehensive resource for seniors and those with disabilities throughout the state of Delaware. Seniors can contact the ARDC with questions about services in the state of Delaware, including health care resources, as well as general services seniors can use to access financial assistance, meals and more. Comprehensive counseling resources are also available to seniors seeking assistance. The website features a service search feature that pairs seniors with the applicable available opportunities throughout the state. The ARDC serves seniors throughout the state of Delaware.

Contact Info

The ARDC is available by phone at 1-800-223-9074 or via email at [email protected].

Email
Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol Program

The Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol Program is a resource that helps seniors determine the validity of information included in Medicare summaries and supports educated decision-making in choosing or switching Medicare plans. This department serves as a way for seniors to stay informed and to report any potential fraud or abuse within the Medicare system. Seniors can also review plan data, ask questions and learn more about the features included in their chosen plans. This service is available to anyone using Medicare in the state of Delaware.

Contact Info

The Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol Program can be accessed through the department website, which includes resources to support seniors in understanding Medicare resources.

Visit Website
Delaware Senior Resource Network

The Delaware Senior Resource Network is a collection of senior resources available throughout the state to help seniors connect with the right support systems to meet their needs. This network partners with organizations that offer money management, end of life planning, health care planning, home health care and legal assistance, providing seniors with a wealth of trusted resources. Meetings take place four times a month. Seniors throughout Delaware can take advantage of the connections available through the Delaware Senior Resource Network

Contact Info

Seniors can call the Delaware Senior Resource Network at 1-302-442-4069.