Medicare Plans in Georgia

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Georgia?

To enroll in Original Medicare, do one of the following:

  • Submit an online application.
  • Apply in person at a Social Security office.
  • Call 800-772-1213 to speak with a Social Security employee.

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

What Georgia Medicare Plans Are Available?

Medicare is a federal insurance plan for citizens age 65 and older as well as some younger individuals with qualifying disabilities. The program is broken up in different parts, each of which applies to a different type of coverage. 

Part A

Part A is the original program of Medicare and is meant to provide coverage for inpatient services. It is funded by the federal government and premiums are determined based on participation in the payroll tax system. Part A coverage includes inpatient services in a hospital, skilled nursing or surgical center facility and home health. 

Part B

Part B is the portion of Medicare that covers preventative services, including annual visits, some diagnostics and even some prescription medications. Premiums are designated based on income, which means it varies for beneficiaries. Parts A and B may be purchased as stand-alone policies for those that may not automatically be covered. 

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage programs are supplemental policies that cover many of the elements of Parts A and B. Beneficiaries may choose this policy to replace A and B, though enrollment in both parts is necessary to qualify for an Advantage program. Advantage plans are administered through private insurance companies. Coverage may vary depending on the insurer, but generally is provided through one of four constructs: 

  • Private fee-for-service
  • Special needs plan
  • Health maintenance organization (HMO)
  • Preferred provider organization (PPO)

The benefit of a Medicare Advantage plan is that this option includes provisions for dental and vision services, where Parts A and B do not. 

Part D/Prescription Drug Plan

Part D of Medicare is the prescription drug plan, which is geared specifically towards medications. It is supplemental to the other components and may cover some things that the other parts do not. This is an optional feature and can be purchased as a stand-alone program. 

Beneficiaries can sign up for coverage through Part D when enrolling in the other Medicare components. However, doing so outside of the enrollment periods may incur a penalty. 

Medigap

Medigap coverage does exactly as it suggests: it fills in the financial gaps for medical and healthcare services administered through Medicare. Medigap is also administered through private insurers and may be used for copays, coinsurance and deductibles. 

As of 2024, there are almost two million Georgians enrolled in Medicare. Of this number, over half have an Advantage plan. Every Georgia county has at least one Advantage plan option. Georgia's Medigap insurers maintain steady premiums that do not increase with the age of the beneficiary. 

However, Medigap premiums for disabled residents under the age of 65 are higher than those for traditional enrollees. 

Who Is Eligible for Georgia Medicare?

Georgia citizens are available for automatic enrollment in Medicare if they are already receiving Social Security benefits. They receive a mailed package four months prior to their 65th birthday apprising them of benefits information. 

Those who are not automatically enrolled can do so in the period three months prior to turning 65, their birth month and in the three months after that date. 

Medicare also offers special enrollment periods. The first is from January 1 through March 31, with benefits beginning as of July 1. The second is a special fall enrollment that starts October 15 and extends through December 7, with benefits kicking in January 1. 

The fall enrollment period is also the point at which enrollees can change Advantage and Part D plans. 

Those who qualify for Medicare and have either lost employer-sponsored coverage, recently moved back into the country or became ineligible for Medicaid can enroll at any time without incurring a penalty. All others may have to pay a fee for enrolling outside of the predetermined enrollment periods. 

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Georgia?

There are three ways to enroll in Medicare in Georgia: 

  • Apply online via the Social Security Administration 
  • Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to speak with a live agent.
  • Make an appointment at the local Social Security Administration office to get in-person assistance. 

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Average Monthly Premium $38.97
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit $7,263.56
Average drug deductible in 2024 (weighted) $350.95
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher 58.5%
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Average Monthly Premium
$38.97
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit
$7,263.56
Average drug deductible in 2021 (weighted)
$350.95
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher
58.5%

Georgia Medicare Advantage Plans by County

The chart below provides more information about Medicare Advantage plan costs and enrollment in Georgia by county in 2024.

Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
County Average Premium Average Annual Drug Deductible % of Plans Rates 4 Stars or Higher # of Plans Available
Coweta $42 $374 53.2% 77
Carroll $41 $375 48.1% 54
Spalding $38 $387 53.9% 76
Russell $41 $390 54.4% 79
Gwinnett $41 $388 56.6% 83
Clayton $41 $388 56.6% 83
Dekalb $41 $388 57.1% 84
Pickens $39 $360 55.2% 67
Walton $39 $381 51.9% 77
Douglas $42 $390 55.1% 78
Newton $39 $374 51.3% 76
Dawson $40 $365 51.5% 66
Forsyth $41 $387 56.4% 78
Butts $37 $387 52.0% 75
Bartow $38 $381 56.3% 71
Rockdale $39 $388 55.7% 79
Jasper $41 $371 60.3% 58
Henry $41 $388 55.6% 81
Fulton $41 $393 57.6% 85
Jeff Davis $41 $372 60.0% 50
Irwin $40 $344 57.4% 54
Lumpkin $37 $331 49.2% 63
White $39 $336 50.0% 64
Treutlen $40 $344 57.4% 54
Brooks $41 $358 67.5% 40
Wheeler $40 $378 61.5% 52
Lee $39 $317 79.5% 39
Chattooga $38 $336 51.5% 66
Randolph $38 $326 63.6% 44
Gilmer $40 $341 58.9% 56
Troup $38 $344 51.5% 66
Early $42 $351 84.4% 32
Webster $38 $339 58.9% 56
Wilcox $41 $381 61.5% 52
Walker $40 $337 70.0% 50
Telfair $41 $383 60.8% 51
Hart $37 $339 60.3% 58
Terrell $39 $319 80.0% 40
Haralson $40 $372 52.3% 65
Taliaferro $38 $339 60.7% 56
Mitchell $41 $358 67.5% 40
Sumter $39 $317 79.5% 39
Bacon $41 $367 60.8% 51
Washington $37 $359 61.0% 59
Talbot $37 $339 61.0% 59
Appling $40 $341 57.4% 54
Barrow $37 $363 52.0% 75
Catoosa $40 $315 67.9% 56
Decatur $41 $358 67.5% 40
Morgan $38 $331 51.5% 66
Pike $40 $341 58.9% 56
Dade $41 $337 68.8% 48
Hall $37 $358 54.3% 70
Fannin $40 $341 57.4% 54
Banks $38 $336 50.8% 65
Lowndes $41 $372 60.0% 50
Madison $37 $331 52.2% 67
Habersham $36 $331 52.2% 67
Heard $40 $341 52.4% 63
Harris $37 $339 54.5% 66
Atkinson $41 $365 61.5% 52
Jackson $36 $342 54.3% 70
Crisp $39 $344 58.9% 56
Ware $40 $344 56.6% 53
Gordon $36 $347 56.1% 57
Stephens $36 $331 52.2% 67
Montgomery $41 $367 60.8% 51
Putnam $40 $341 58.9% 56
Greene $38 $331 51.6% 64
Grady $41 $358 67.5% 40
Colquitt $39 $331 64.4% 45
Toombs $40 $344 56.6% 53
Quitman $39 $341 56.4% 55
Laurens $38 $363 61.0% 59
Murray $39 $344 58.9% 56
Worth $39 $331 66.0% 47
Charlton $41 $367 60.8% 51
Wilkes $38 $339 59.6% 57
Union $38 $339 58.2% 55
Marion $38 $339 58.9% 56
Upson $39 $365 60.3% 58
Schley $40 $344 58.2% 55
Clay $40 $317 77.1% 35
Floyd $39 $353 56.7% 60
Stewart $38 $339 58.9% 56
Dougherty $39 $312 73.3% 30
Meriwether $40 $345 60.3% 58
Evans $38 $339 57.4% 54
Coffee $40 $341 57.4% 54
Calhoun $42 $351 84.4% 32
Emanuel $40 $344 56.6% 53
Lanier $41 $358 67.5% 40
Whitfield $41 $358 68.3% 41
Cook $41 $358 67.5% 40
Pierce $40 $344 56.6% 53
Brantley $41 $365 61.5% 52
Seminole $41 $358 67.5% 40
Rabun $38 $339 57.4% 54
Polk $39 $359 50.7% 67
Chattahoochee $38 $339 57.9% 57
Franklin $37 $331 52.2% 67
Miller $41 $358 67.5% 40
Thomas $41 $358 67.5% 40
Tift $39 $344 58.9% 56
Ben Hill $41 $370 60.8% 51
Muscogee $38 $349 56.5% 69
Towns $38 $339 58.2% 55
Echols $41 $358 67.5% 40
Baker $40 $344 58.9% 56
Oglethorpe $38 $331 50.8% 65
Dodge $41 $367 60.8% 51
Clinch $41 $365 61.5% 52
Berrien $41 $354 68.3% 41
Clarke $37 $331 52.9% 68
Johnson $40 $341 57.4% 54
Elbert $37 $339 61.0% 59
Oconee $38 $331 50.8% 65
Turner $39 $344 58.9% 56
Tattnall $40 $341 57.4% 54
Candler $41 $370 60.8% 51
Columbia $37 $357 61.9% 63
Richmond $38 $360 62.3% 61
Cherokee $41 $389 54.1% 74
Jefferson $37 $337 58.6% 58
Hancock $37 $337 58.6% 58
Pulaski $40 $365 59.6% 52
Macon $38 $339 59.3% 59
Wilkinson $39 $341 57.1% 56
Dooly $38 $353 57.9% 57
Bleckley $39 $363 59.6% 52
Taylor $38 $341 58.6% 58
Glascock $37 $337 58.6% 58
Wayne $39 $339 56.4% 55
Warren $37 $337 58.6% 58
Baldwin $37 $336 58.6% 58
Paulding $40 $348 53.7% 67
Cobb $40 $382 53.8% 78
Lamar $39 $339 57.9% 57
Monroe $38 $339 59.3% 59
Twiggs $39 $339 58.6% 58
Burke $37 $336 58.6% 58
Jenkins $39 $361 60.4% 53
Glynn $36 $324 63.8% 47
Jones $39 $339 58.6% 58
Bryan $38 $336 52.3% 65
Mcintosh $38 $336 57.1% 56
Gadsden $37 $324 63.0% 46
Houston $38 $350 60.7% 61
Chatham $37 $356 56.9% 72
Screven $37 $336 56.4% 55
Mcduffie $37 $336 58.6% 58
Bulloch $41 $379 82.9% 41
Long $40 $367 58.8% 51
Lincoln $37 $335 59.3% 59
Bibb $38 $339 61.3% 62
Liberty $39 $341 58.6% 58
Peach $38 $339 60.0% 60
Crawford $38 $339 60.0% 60
Effingham $37 $336 53.0% 66

Contact Information for Georgia Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Help

For help signing up for Medicare or choosing a plan, as well as getting assistance with other insurance options including Medicaid, there are various resources available. 

HelpAdvisor: The HelpAdvisor website offers information on enrolling in Medicare as well as eligibility criteria, resources for assistance and more. 

Georgia State Health Insurance Program (SHIP): The Georgia SHIP program provides assistance with choosing the best Medicare plan as well as help with enrollment and any other questions. 

GeorgiaCares: This public-private partnership provides assistance with Medicare enrollment as well as differentiating between the various plans. Those in need of assistance can visit the GeorgiaCares website or call (866) 552-4464.