Assisted living facilities primarily help residents with non-medical needs. Although minor and infrequent medical services, such as first-aid for a wound, can sometimes be met on-site by nurses. These communities may sometimes also be called ALFs, residential care facilities, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities.
The financial options available to help pay for senior care is dependent on, among other things, the type of care that is required. If you are just beginning the research process on how to pay for long-term care, it is helpful to have an idea about the type of care you or your loved one currently requires, as well as to anticipate future needs. In addition, it is important to be familiar with the associated eldercare terminology.
Can using home care technology help your family save money caring for an aging loved one? The answer is most certainly “Yes”. Our goal is not to provide a comprehensive list, but rather to make sense of those that are available on the market today and can reduce the care hours required by elderly persons. As such, they can reduce a family’s out-of-pocket care costs or reduce the hours they spend providing care themselves.
Medicare Advantage (Part C), a privately offered alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B), has grown in popularity over the years. Despite the growing popularity of Medicare Advantage, some seniors face obstacles that prevent them from truly understanding how it works and who it benefits. Common mistakes about Medicare Advantage include misunderstanding its differences from Original Medicare, getting it confused with other forms of private Medicare insurance (like Medigap or Part D), or not understanding how to look up or evaluate plans.
Medicare Advantage combines Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B in a single plan managed by private insurance companies. The plan is also known as Medicare Part C. Original Medicare is available from the federal government and has a clearly defined list of things that it covers. Insurance companies offering Medicare Part C are required to provide the same level of coverage as Original Medicare as a minimum but can also offer additional benefits such as prescription drug assistance, vision and dental or transportation to medical appointments.
Medicare Advantage providers have the freedom to set their own rules regarding out-of-pocket costs, in-network care and choosing a primary care provider, as well as any requirements for referrals for medical treatment. These rules can vary significantly between insurance companies. In 2021, there were just over 363,000 people who were eligible for Medicare in the state, but enrollment in Medicare Advantage was fairly low, at just 22.7% of all Medicare beneficiaries, slightly over half of the national average.
This guide looks at the different Medicare Advantage plans available in Nebraska and what some of the most popular plans cover. It also discusses the eligibility criteria for Nebraska’s Medicare Advantage programs and how seniors can choose a plan that best suits their needs.
The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Nebraska
Many insurance companies have Medicare Advantage plans in Nebraska. Seniors have a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing a provider that offers the benefits they want within their budget. The following list features 10 of the most popular Medicare Advantage providers, ranked by enrollment. Most providers have more than one plan option, so cost information is shown as a range, but enrollment figures are combined for all of the plans offered by the same provider. The plan information used to make this list was last updated in April 2022. Seniors can see the latest information about the plans and providers available in their area by visiting Medicare.gov.
Name
Total Enrollment
Star Rating
Min Cost
Max Cost
Plan Types
UnitedHealthcare
55,446
3.5
$0
$74
HMO, PPO, PFFS
Aetna Medicare
15,466
4
$0
$34
HMO, PPO
Humana
8,062
4
$0
$60
HMO, PPO
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
7,830
4
$0
$26
HMO, PPO
Wellcare
3,770
0
$0
$23
HMO, PPO
Highmark Inc.
1,088
0
$0
$0
PPO
Medica
290
0
$0
$16
HMO, PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
35
0
$0
$0
PPO
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
11
0
$0
$0
PPO
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Nebraska
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan in Nebraska, seniors should take some time to learn about the different types of plans on the market. There are four types of Medicare Advantage plan available in Nebraska, including Health Maintenance Organizations(HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) as well as the Special Needs Plan (SNP) and Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS). The following table describes the requirements of each type of plan and what the plan covers in more detail.
What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Nebraska
Medicare Advantage providers are required to offer the same level of coverage as federally managed Original Medicare plans, with the exception of hospice care which remains covered under Medicare Part A. This means these plans include preventative screenings, durable medical equipment and hospital care. In addition to this minimum level of coverage, they may also offer extra services, such as prescription drug coverage, hearing aids, and vision or dental care. Some providers include other value-added services, such as wellness advice or transportation to appointments.
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 Nebraska
Medicare Advantage is open to seniors living in Nebraska who already have Medicare Parts A and B and who live in the plan’s coverage area. To be eligible for Medicare, seniors must be aged 65 or over or living with a qualifying disability or illness. They must also be a U.S. citizen or recognized as a permanent legal resident. There are specific enrollment periods for Medicare and Medicare Advantage, during which time seniors can either enroll for the first time or change their plan. The below list shows the enrollment periods and the actions people can take during those times.
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 Nebraska
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.
Nebraska SHIIP provides Medicare counseling services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. This program is funded by the federal government and operated by the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Its sole purpose is to help Medicare beneficiaries make sense of the different plans that are available to them, choose the plan that best suits their needs and assist with claims, appeals and other concerns.
Seniors can request assistance by calling the Nebraska SHIIP hotline at 1-800-234-7119.
Volunteers Assisting Seniors
Volunteers Assisting Seniors is a statewide program that provides Medicare classes and counseling and other services. This nonprofit organization provides comprehensive training to volunteers that allows them to provide expert assistance in issues pertaining to Medicare. Volunteers are available to help seniors navigate the different Medicare plans that are available to them and provide assistance with any concerns that may arise.
Seniors who require assistance with Medicare can call Volunteers Assisting Seniors at 1-800-234-7119 to receive advice or schedule an in-person counseling session.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
Nebraska’s Aging and Disability Resource Center helps residents aged 60 and older by providing a variety of senior-specific services. This includes benefits counseling for seniors who receive Medicare or Medicaid benefits, as well as long-term care advice and referrals to local resources and community services.
The Nebraska Department of Insurance – Consumer Affairs Division provides assistance in all types of insurance matters throughout the state. Seniors who need help understanding Medicare Advantage policies or who wish to file a complaint about their provider can contact this department for assistance. While the department is not able to recommend specific products, its employees can assist seniors who require an advocate to contact their insurance company on their behalf.
The Consumer Affairs Division can be reached toll-free at 877-564-7323 or at 402-471-0888. Those who prefer email can use this address: [email protected].
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – Medicaid Services
Nebraska DHHS’s Medicaid Services offers assistance to Medicare beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. This includes help with benefits coordination, as well as assistance with determining eligibility for specific waivers and programs.
To contact Nebraska’s Medicaid Services department, seniors can call 402-471-3121.
Local Medicare Advantage Resources
Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging acts as one of the state’s Area Agencies on Aging. It provides a broad range of services and supports that are specifically designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors aged 65 and older. This includes assistance with understanding their Medicare options and obtaining Medicaid benefits.
For information about Medicare assistance or other services, seniors can call 888-554-2711. The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging also has locations in Omaha, Fremont and Blair that can provide assistance to seniors in person.
Aging Partners is an Area Agency on Aging that serves Butler, Filmore, Polk, Saline, Saunders, Seward and York Counties. It’s a senior advocacy and social support agency that provides a broad range of services to those aged 60 and older, including Medicare and Medicaid counseling.
Aging Partners is located at 1005 O Street in Lincoln. Seniors can visit in person, or contact the agency by phone at 1-800-247-0938.
South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging
Serving fourteen counties in South Central Nebraska, this Area Agency on Aging provides benefits counseling for Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, as well as an array of other services to assist seniors and adults with disabilities.
Seniors can visit the agency in person at 620 E. 25 Street, Suite 12, in Kearney or call 1-800-658-4320 for more information.
Aging Office of Western Nebraska
The Aging Office of Western Nebraska serves seniors in 11 counties throughout the Panhandle area. It works with individuals aged 60 and older, providing a wide range of beneficial services that includes insurance counseling for those enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The Aging Office of Western Nebraska is located at 1516 Broadway, Suite 122 in Scottsbluff. To obtain more information about available programs, seniors can call the office at 1-800-682-5140.
