Located in Macomb County, Sterling Heights is one of the largest cities in Michigan. It’s the second-largest suburb of Detroit. Medicare beneficiaries make up about 20% of the population in Sterling Heights.
Medicare plans in Sterling Heights, Michigan
We’ll cover the different Medicare options in Sterling Heights, Michigan. To start, we’ll talk about the most affordable Medicare Advantage plans. Then we’ll move to the cheapest Medicare Supplement plans in the city.
Following that, we’ll discuss the area’s average cost of the Medicare Part D plans. Finally, we’ll go over what Special Needs Plans are and how to enroll in your Medicare plan.
The costs shown in the charts below are based on a 70-year-old man.
Medicare Advantage plans
Sterling Heights has just under 60 Michigan Medicare Advantage plan options. Only four other counties in Michigan have more plans available for Medicare beneficiaries. With so many options, it’s clear to see why so many seniors reside there.
Several plan options in Macomb County have a zero-premium. It’s no surprise to see Humana on the list. They’ve been a leader in the Medicare Advantage market for years. They seem to have plans with little to no premium in every state.
Hap Senior is a small carrier that specializes in plans in Michigan. They have a 4-star rating on their zero-dollar premium plan. In addition to the zero-premium and 4-Star rating, they also have an affordable maximum out-of-pocket. Aetna is always a solid pick. With one of the lowest maximum out-of-pocket limits, they’re a top pick for seniors in Sterling Heights. Aetna is one of the largest health insurers in the United States, owned by CVS.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Sterling Heights, Michigan
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Humana | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Hap Senior | $0 | $4,500 | HMO | 4 |
| Aetna | $0 | $3,900 | HMO-POS | 3 |
| Wellcare | $0 | $5,000 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| BCBS of Michigan | $0 | $6,000 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
Medicare Supplement plans
Michigan Medicare Supplements allow you to see any doctor nationwide that accepts Medicare. In addition, they don’t require referrals to see specialists.
Medigap plans pay your portion of leftover costs after Medicare pays its portion. Depending on your plan letter, you could have little to nothing to pay when you seek medical care.
Medicare Supplement plans must carry the same coverage regardless of your chosen carrier. Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N are the most popular plans.
Plan F is considered by many as the best plan option. They say this because Plan F pays the remainder of the cost once Medicare pays its portion. It’s the most comprehensive and, in most cases, expensive plan.
Plan G has gained quite a bit of traction over the past ten years. The cost differences between Plan G and Plan F are considerable in most states. The coverage is the same, with one exception. Plan G doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible.
Plan N is the top pick for healthy and savvy seniors, and it has a lower premium and similar coverage to plan G. The main difference is a $20 copay for the doctor and a $50 copay for emergency room visits.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Sterling Heights, Michigan
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $85.43 | $631.93 |
| PLAN B | $146.74 | $516.04 |
| PLAN C | $175.71 | $574.77 |
| PLAN D | $154.00 | $604.17 |
| PLAN F | $173.59 | $567.85 |
| PLAN HDF | $47.00 | $113.85 |
| PLAN G | $140.87 | $485.95 |
| PLAN HDG | $46.46 | $105.73 |
| PLAN K | $55.28 | $161.00 |
| PLAN L | $98.00 | $377.66 |
| PLAN M | $199.69 | $428.92 |
| PLAN N | $111.79 | $390.22 |
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Michigan Medicare’s fourth part is Part D. Part D is one of the ways you can cover your prescriptions. Beneficiaries that enroll in a Medigap plan must enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan to receive drug coverage. Part D plans have four coverage phases for your prescriptions. In many cases, Medicare beneficiaries won’t hit all four stages.
Aetna’s drug plans are under their SilverScript branded company. SilverScript has been one of the top drug plans they offer nearly yearly. Coming in at under $10, you’ll not find a less expensive premium for a Prescription Drug Plan.
Wellcare is number two when it comes to the lowest premium. Wellcare is one of the largest Medicare Plan providers in the country. They are quickly taking the market by storm and have quickly become one of the top carriers for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans.
Clear Spring is a newer Part D plan option. They are still new but rapidly improving. In many cases, it’s hard to find a better plan to cover specific prescriptions.
The average cost of Medicare Part D plans in Sterling Heights, Michigan
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $7.50 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $12.70 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring | $17.00 | $480 | 2 |
| Elixir | $20.30 | $480 | 3 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
Special Needs plans
Special Needs Plans, sometimes referred to as SNPs, are directed toward people with special needs. They have options for low-income beneficiaries and those with chronic health conditions. While these plans are specifically designed to help people in these situations, they aren’t available in all areas.
is a well-known and well-respected company that offers Medicare Plan Options. They seem to have many options to help low-income beneficiaries and those with chronic health issues.partners with in the Medicare market.
Reliance Health Care is a smaller carrier that offers plans in Michigan. As you can see below, they offer a PPO option for Medicare beneficiaries that also have Medicare. This will increase the network of providers for beneficiaries in that category.
Aetna rounds out the top three. They are a solid company in the Medicare space. As part of the CVS family, it’s no surprise they have many plan options and additional benefits.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Sterling Heights, Michigan
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual | |
| Reliance | $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
| Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Priority Health | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Hap Senior | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | Dual |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Sterling Heights, Michigan
Signing up for a Michigan Medicare plan can be confusing for many. You’re not alone. Fortunately, we can help make it simple. Our Licensed Insurance Brokers can assist in educating you about your options. Helping you check your prescriptions and doctors.
We can even help you enroll once you decide on the right plan. Just give us a call. If you prefer, you can fill out our online request form, and we’ll reach out to you.
