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 – December 23, 2023

Medicare is provided by the federal government to ensure access to medical coverage for people at least 65 years old or those who have qualifying disabilities. Medicare includes Plan A to cover hospital visits and Plan B to reduce the costs for doctors and medical supplies. In 2003, private insurance companies rolled out Medicare Advantage Plans as an alternative to the traditional Medicare plans that had been standard since 1965. To qualify as Medicare Advantage, or Plan C, these plans had to match the coverage offered through Plans A and B in traditional Medicare. Beyond that, Medicare Advantage Plans differ greatly and can offer seniors several benefits that better match their budget and health needs.

Traditional Medicare plans do not cover prescription costs unless the enrollee adds Plan D and pays an additional premium. Medicare Advantage Plans often include prescription coverage along with several other helpful options, such as vision, dental or hearing. Having this extra coverage included under the same premium can save seniors some cash on their monthly expenses. While original Medicare can be used across the country at any facility or provider that chooses to accept it, Medicare Advantage Plans often require care be given by in-network facilities and providers, which are generally limited to those in the enrolled home state. The extra cost of out-of-state care can erode the savings for seniors who travel frequently.

Kentucky has almost 970,000 senior residents who are eligible for Medicare as of July 2023. Out of these potential enrollees, 51% have chosen coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan over traditional Medicare. This is slightly higher than the national average of 48% and includes an 8.78% increase in the enrollee percentage from April of 2022. This guide provides an overview of how these plans work, details on some of the providers found in Kentucky and ideas for narrowing down the selections to find the best plan to fit their needs.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Kentucky

There are several Medicare Advantage providers located in Kentucky, and each of them offers multiple plans designed to fit different budget and health care needs. This ensures Kentucky seniors are able to maximize their required coverage while minimizing their out-of-pocket expenses. The following table lists the top nine providers in the state, ordered by the number of enrollees across all the Part C plans they offer. Provider information includes a cost range that covers highest and lowest priced plans as of July 2023. Seniors seeking additional plan information can find more details on Medicare.gov.

Name

Enrollment

Medicare Star Rating

Monthly Cost Range

Plan Types

Humana

213550

4

$0 – $150

PPO, HMO, PFFS

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

114050

3

$0 – $81

PPO, HMO

UnitedHealthcare

58877

3.5

$0 – $109

HMO

Aetna Medicare

15026

3.5

$0 – $101

PPO, HMO

Vermont Blue Advantage

6006

4

$0 – $0

PPO

Priority Health Medicare

3423

2.5

$0 – $0

PPO

Passport Advantage

1977

N/A

$0 – $0

HMO

Cigna

256

2.5

$0 – $18

HMO

Essence Healthcare

167

5

$0 – $0

HMO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Kentucky

Private insurance companies in Kentucky offer a few different types of Medicare Advantage plans: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). Medical savings accounts may be available in some communities. Premiums, deductibles, copays and other costs can vary significantly between types of plans. More information about these coverage options is below.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Kentucky

With a Medicare Advantage plan, seniors get coverage for preventative screenings, inpatient hospital services, durable medical equipment, skilled nursing facilities, home health care, outpatient care and physician services. These are the same benefits covered under Parts A and B. It’s possible for Medicare Advantage to cover a variety of additional care services, such as dental, hearing and vision. Special Needs Plans may include coverage for health care that treats certain chronic conditions. 



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 Kentucky

Seniors who have Original Medicare Parts A and B are eligible to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. To qualify for Original Medicare, a person must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant 65 years or older. Younger people with disabilities and end-stage kidney disease may also be eligible. The only other requirement for Part C is to live in the service area for a particular plan. Some HMOs and PPOs may only cover providers in certain counties and cities, so it would not be possible to receive services outside that network. Seniors may need to search for plans by zip codes to see if they live in a provider’s service area. Decisions need to made by the enrollment periods 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 Kentucky

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

Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

The Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program is a state-sponsored insurance resource for seniors seeking help with choosing and enrolling in a Medicare plan. Assistance includes comprehensive education in plan options and opportunities, such as confidential and unbiased one-on-one phone and in-person counseling, presentations to community groups and the distribution of educational materials regarding Medicare. SHIP also works closely with the Department for Public Health Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program to help seniors maintain access to affordable prescription drugs. All seniors in Kentucky, as well as their family members and caregivers, can use the free resources available through SHIP.

Contact Info

Seniors can access SHIP at 877-293-7447, the state-wide hotline number, or 502-564-6930.

Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)

The Department for Aging and Independent Living is a state-offered resource that provides programs and services for aging adults in Kentucky. With a full range of comprehensive care, DAIL focuses on Medicare resources, assisted living, caregiver support, participant-directed services and supported living programs. Seniors, caregivers and family members are welcome to contact DAIL at any time to ask questions, including about Medicare resources in Kentucky. DAIL can also connect seniors with area support services, like local nonprofits and Area Agencies on Aging. Services from DAIL are free to those living in Kentucky.

Contact Info

Seniors can contact DAIL by phone at 502-564-6930 or via email at [email protected].

Email
Kentucky Disability Benefits 101

Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 is a Kentucky-related branch of the World Institute on Disability. While the focus of this organization is on disabled adults, it also provides valuable information about Medicare, including Medicaid interaction for those who are low-income or disabled and require additional benefits. This organization offers comprehensive Medicare information on its website, including how to enroll and the differences between each Medicare Part. The site includes definitions and other information that can help seniors compare plans and understand costs and benefits. Seniors can also learn more about Medicare Savings Programs available in Kentucky. Estimator tools are available to provide a high-level snapshot of potential benefits eligibility. The Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 site is free to use.

Contact Info

Kentucky Disability Benefits 101 can be accessed at the organization’s website.

Visit Website
Legal Aid Network of Kentucky

The Legal Aid Network of Kentucky is a valuable legal resource for low-income individuals in need of assistance with a wide variety of civil legal issues, including Medicare. The Network’s website provides comprehensive information on Medicare, including eligibility, plans and benefits options. This service offers free access to an attorney for basic questions on civil, noncriminal matters, including Medicare. The Ask a Lawyer feature lets Kentucky residents submit a question to a licensed volunteer attorney for free. Using this feature requires registration, but there’s no fee or subscription required.

Contact Info

Kentucky seniors hoping to contact a lawyer can use the Ask a Lawyer feature on the website or reach out to the Legal Helpline for Older Kentuckians at 1-800-200-3633.

Visit Website

Local Medicare Advantage Resources

Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living

The Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living is one of Kentucky’s Area Agencies on Aging, and it covers residents in the Bluegrass region, which includes Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford Counties. As a comprehensive resource for aging members of the Bluegrass community, the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living provides area resources for assisted living and day programs, health and financial benefits, Medicare and Medicaid, and other essential services. Counseling for Medicare services is available for seniors living in the service area. Resources through the Agency are free to those living locally.

Contact Info

Seniors can contact the Agency by phone at 859-266-1116, email at [email protected] or via the website contact form.

Visit Website Email
Louisville Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens

The Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens is a government entity operated through the Resilience and Community Services program in Louisville, Kentucky, that advocates for seniors in the metro area. This resource offers assistance to seniors in numerous ways, including connections with nonprofits, Medicare and Medicaid support, disability assistance and access to affordable meals. In addition to providing Medicare support, the Louisville Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens also operates a Medicare Patrol program that ensures seniors aren’t victims of Medicare abuse or fraud. All residents of Louisville are welcome to use the government resources provided through this office.

Contact Info

Seniors can contact the Louisville Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens at 502- 574-4377.