Over 200,000 retired persons in Charleston, West Virginia, right now might not have proper supplemental Medicare coverage. Did you know that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses each year?
Medicare plans in Charleston, West Virginia
Most beneficiaries on Original Medicare in Charleston, West Virginia, are about 69 years old and also female. There is a much smaller gap between the number of females and males in this city compared to other areas.
These facts are important because these details change the rate you get quoted for your Medicare Supplement.
Medicare Advantage plans
38% of Medicare recipients have 28 different Medicare Advantage plans in Charleston, West Virginia, to choose from. How do you know which plan is right for you? You have to start by comparing prices; we can help you make that process much faster and easier.
Out of the top plans, your average Medicare Advantage plan, like the one from Aetna, will come with a PPO network. Your other option is usually an HMO network. The difference between HMO and PPO networks is between smaller networks that keep costs lower and larger networks that might cost more.
The average Advantage plan in Charleston will have a maximum out-of-pocket limit of just over $6,000. This means plans like Humana and are below average in cost and highly affordable.
There’s another plan on this list from Aetna, with above-average costs, and The Health Plan. Both of these plans have HMO networks. While these smaller networks could save you money, in theory, you might not have access to the doctors and hospitals you want.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Charleston, West Virginia
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| The Health Plan | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $4,500 | REGIONAL PPO | 4 |
| $0 | $5,400 | LOCAL PPO | 4 | |
| Aetna | $0 | $6,900 | HMO | 4 |
The great thing about our Medicare Advantage FAQ pages is that they have plenty of information to help answer any unanswered questions you may have.
Medicare Supplement plans
Medicare supplement plans give you ten different standardized plans to choose from, which are the same in every state. They specifically target the gaps in Medicare coverage, hence the name.
Medigap is designed to cover the costly Medicare coverage gaps most beneficiaries don’t know about. Plan F, Plan G, and the high-deductible versions of the plans cover the most gaps. The high-deductible versions let you pay a smaller monthly premium which helps you save money to afford that high annual deductible for when you finally need care.
Plan N is highly comprehensive and one of the cheapest Medicare Supplement plans in Charleston, West Virginia. The only things that it doesn’t cover are your Part B deductible and excess charges. You have to pay a $5 copay in place of your Part B coinsurance costs, which is much cheaper than a 20% coinsurance fee.
Plan C is the least cheap plan available. But is the extra expense even worth it? The only advantage it has over the other plans (for beneficiaries who can’t purchase Plan G or Plan F) is that it covers your Part B annual deductible. This is almost a negligible expense for most retirees, so the higher monthly premium might not be worth it.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Charleston, West Virginia
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $85.99 | $1,074.12 |
| PLAN B | $117.33 | $311.12 |
| PLAN C | $152.78 | $378.62 |
| PLAN D | $108.25 | $198.00 |
| PLAN F | $115.69 | $1,394.64 |
| PLAN HDF | $28.00 | $427.68 |
| PLAN G | $101.17 | $1,120.44 |
| PLAN HDG | $28.00 | $68.33 |
| PLAN K | $50.92 | $139.00 |
| PLAN L | $63.50 | $219.25 |
| PLAN M | $116.01 | $225.28 |
| PLAN N | $73.80 | $841.68 |
Our Medigap FAQ pages have answers if you still have questions.
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Most Medicare Advantage plans automatically come with prescription drug coverage. Unfortunately, neither Original Medicare nor Medigap covers prescription drugs. That’s why the government created Medicare Part D.
Entering the Medicare coverage gap can cost you 25% of the total price of each prescription refill. Luckily, the vast majority of beneficiaries never enter the coverage gap. This is especially true if you choose an affordable plan like Aetna.
Humana’s high customer star rating suggests they may have a more comprehensive formulary. If you need a more expansive formulary, your prescription drug needs may put you in this coverage gap. Luckily, it resets every year.
Wellcare has the second most affordable Charleston, West Virginia, Part D plan out of the plans selected below. They also have above-average customer service.
The average cost of Medicare Part D plans in Charleston, West Virginia
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $7.20 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $12.90 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring | $18.20 | $480 | 2 |
| Elixir | $20.30 | $480 | 3 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
Special Needs plans
There are special Medicare Advantage plans for beneficiaries who have chronic illnesses. In Charleston, West Virginia, some plans need your illness to be chronic and disabling to qualify for these plans. Others require you to be institutionalized before you can qualify.
WV Senior Advantage requires you to be in an institution to qualify. on top of that, they require you to pay a monthly premium and have a very high maximum out-of-pocket limit.
Humana has the lowest annual out-of-pocket maximum and a $0 premium. But you don’t need to be institutionalized to qualify. It has a smaller HMO medical network, though.
All of the other plans have identical out-of-pocket maximum costs. But at least has a PPO network which gives you a greater choice.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Charleston, West Virginia
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | Dual | |
| Humana | $0 | $3,450 | HMO | Dual |
| The Health Plan | $40.40 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| WV Senior Advantage | $40.60 | $7,550 | HMO | Institutional |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Charleston
Those residing in Charleston, West Virginia, have many options for adding supplemental coverage to their Original Medicare. But the options can be daunting to sort through, necessitating the desire for help.
Our licensed insurance agents are friendly and knowledgeable in all aspects of Medicare. They’ll ensure you understand which plan is best for your needs. Best of all, their time and effort are free for you!
So pick up the phone and give us a call today. Or take a moment to fill out our convenient online rate form for the best rates on Supplemental Medicare plans in your area.
