Medicare Plans in Massachusetts
What Massachusetts Medicare Plans Are Available?
Massachusetts residents have a wide array of Medicare options available. In addition to basic coverage through the government's Original Medicare program, there are private insurance plans such as Medicare Advantage (Part C), prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medigap.
Here's an easy-to-understand guide to Medicare in Massachusetts to get you started.
Medicare Parts A and B
When you first join Medicare, you need to decide how to receive Part A and Part B coverage for medically necessary services.
- Part A hospital insurance helps pay for inpatient costs when you're admitted to a hospital, rehabilitation facility, long-term care hospital or hospice.
- Part B medical insurance covers doctor's visits, diagnostic tests, treatments and preventive services.
There are two ways to obtain Parts A and B. More than 1.4 million Massachusetts residents receive this coverage through Original Medicare, and about 33% of those beneficiaries are signed up through Medicare Advantage.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is offered through the government and includes Part A and Part B insurance. You can enroll separately in a prescription drug plan and Medigap for out-of-pocket costs if you wish.
Original Medicare is more flexible than Medicare Advantage when it comes to choosing doctors and hospitals. You can receive treatment from any health care provider in the United States who accepts Medicare payment and can see a specialist without referrals from a primary care doctor.
You must pay monthly premiums to the government to keep coverage active. Most people qualify for premium-free Part A and pay a standard $174.90 monthly premium for Part B in 2024. Once you've met annual deductibles, you usually pay a 20% coinsurance for medically necessary costs. There's no limit to the costs you pay out of pocket.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is sold by private insurers. These all-in-one plans include Parts A and B and additional benefits such as prescription drugs, eyeglasses, hearing aids and dental care.
Most Medicare Advantage plans have rules about the health care providers you can use and require referrals to see specialists. There are four types of Part C plans:
- Health Maintenance Organizations
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans
- Special Needs Plans
Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans limit your annual out-of-pocket expenses.
Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
Once you've decided how to receive Parts A and B, you can explore prescription drug coverage. Part D plans are sold by private companies. Typically, you pay for your prescription medicine until you reach the plan's drug deductible and then pay a portion of the costs.
Drug plans can be standalone policies added on to Original Medicare or included as part of a Medicare Advantage plan. About 89% of those enrolled in Medicare Advantage receive drug coverage.
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, helps pay for copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Medigap policies can only be sold to you if you receive benefits through Original Medicare and not Medicare Advantage.
Medigap plans work differently in Massachusetts than most other states. In Massachusetts, new enrollees can choose from three types of Medigap plans.
Core Medigap covers:
- Part A copayments for hospital stays
- Part B coinsurance for medical costs
- First three pints of blood each year
Supplement 1A covers:
- Core Medigap benefits outlined above
- Part A deductibles
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel
Supplement 1, which covers:
- Supplement 1A benefits outlined above
- Part B deductibles
Supplement 1 is not available if you're new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Who Is Eligible for Massachusetts Medicare?
Medicare is available to Massachusetts residents who:
- Are 65 and older
- Are younger than 65 with certain disabilities
- Have end-stage renal disease
You can only enroll in Medicare at certain times of the year.
Automatic Enrollment
You automatically receive Medicare if you've been getting Social Security retirement benefits for a minimum of 4 months before you turn 65 or disability benefits for 24 months.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
If you aren't automatically registered in Medicare by Social Security, you can enroll during your IEP that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 7 months later. After your IEP ends, you can't sign up for Medicare until another enrollment window opens.
General Enrollment Period
Medicare's general enrollment period takes place annually between January 1 and March 31. If you missed your IEP, you can sign up at this time but may incur late enrollment penalties. You must wait until July 1 for your coverage to begin.
Special Enrollment Periods
Some situations may cause you to enroll in Medicare outside of your IEP or general enrollment period — if you've been living outside of the country or had other health insurance coverage, for example. Medicare may grant you a special enrollment period if there are unique circumstances.
Open Enrollment Period
Medicare's open enrollment period takes place annually between October 15 and December 7. You can make changes to existing Medicare coverage if you find a plan that better meets your needs. For example, you can sign up for Part C and Part D plans, switch between plans or drop plans and return to Original Medicare.
How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Massachusetts?
To enroll in Medicare, contact Social Security during the appropriate enrollment windows.
- Online application: You can complete the form on the Social Security website.
- In-person: Contact your nearest Social Security office.
- By phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
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.
Medicare Plans by County
Medicare Plans by Carrier
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Massachusetts
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Massachusetts | |
---|---|
Average Monthly Premium | $50.57 |
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit | $6,137.45 |
Average drug deductible in 2024 (weighted) | $351.26 |
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher | 50.3% |
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Massachusetts | |
---|---|
Average Monthly Premium $50.57 |
|
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit $6,137.45 |
|
Average drug deductible in 2021 (weighted) $351.26 |
|
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher 50.3% |
Massachusetts Medicare Advantage Plans by County
The chart below provides more information about Medicare Advantage plan costs and enrollment in Massachusetts by county in 2024.
County | Average Premium | Average Annual Drug Deductible | % of Plans Rates 4 Stars or Higher | # of Plans Available |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hampden | $47 | $355 | 61.1% | 18 |
Hampshire | $52 | $358 | 50.0% | 14 |
Worcester | $47 | $355 | 61.1% | 18 |
Franklin | $52 | $255 | 40.0% | 5 |
Essex | $51 | $334 | 47.1% | 17 |
Bristol | $46 | $337 | 55.0% | 20 |
Norfolk | $51 | $358 | 50.0% | 14 |
Plymouth | $51 | $334 | 47.1% | 17 |
Middlesex | $52 | $365 | 50.0% | 14 |
Suffolk | $47 | $343 | 55.0% | 20 |
Berkshire | $67 | $471 | 0.0% | 5 |
Nantucket | $58 | $395 | 0.0% | 1 |
Barnstable | $58 | $395 | 0.0% | 1 |
Dukes | $58 | $395 | 0.0% | 1 |
Contact Information for Massachusetts Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Help
Learn more about Medicare and health insurance options in Massachusetts through the following resources:
- Medicaid: Visit the HelpAdvisor website for information about Medicaid for Massachusetts residents having difficulty paying for health care.
- SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone): Speak to a SHINE counselor for free, objective health insurance information and guidance in making your Medicare decisions. Trained counselors can answer questions, help you compare plans and identify income assistance programs if needed. To schedule an appointment with a SHINE counselor, call 1-800-243-4636.
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs: Learn about Medicare Savings Programs and other initiatives for seniors in Massachusetts.
Prescription Advantage: Read about eligibility and enrollment in Massachusetts' prescription drug assistance program for seniors and people with disabilities.