Nearly 900,000 Louisiana residents are enrolled in Medicare. Most of them are on Original Medicare (Parts A and B), but others have chosen to switch to Medicare Advantage plans, which offer additional coverage. In addition to offering prescription drug coverage, some Medicare Advantage plans also provide dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Private insurance providers offer these plans, and the competition allows them to offer competitive rates.
If you are thinking about switching to a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s important to consider your current healthcare needs and budget. There are many options available, including Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans, or SNPs, which can be customized to meet your specific needs. You may be able to switch plans during the open enrollment period or during a special enrollment period.
Louisiana’s best Medicare Advantage Plans are HMOs, PPOs, and PFFS. Each type offers a different level of flexibility, but most require you to select a primary care physician and obtain referrals for specialist services. The plans can also include drug coverage, which varies in price and formulary.
Louisiana Medicare Eligibility
Individuals who aren’t enrolled in Parts A and B at the time of their 65th birthday can enroll during an Initial Enrollment Period. This SEP begins three months before an individual’s 65th birthday and ends three months after. It is important to remember that not signing up for Medicare when you first become eligible can result in penalties later on.
Those who are not eligible for Parts A and B can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan. They can choose from several standardized Medicare Advantage plans, which are identified by letters of the alphabet (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, and N). These plans typically cover copays and deductibles.
How to Apply for Louisiana Medicare?
Generally, you should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when you first become eligible for them (generally when you turn 65). However, there are some situations when signing up during a Special Enrollment Period may make sense. This is a brief window when you can sign up without paying a penalty. The best way to apply for Louisiana Medicare is online. You can create an account with the online application center and save your details so you can update them later. Your application will be sent to the Louisiana Medicaid office immediately, avoiding delays that can occur when applying via mail or fax.
Online: Visit the Social Security Administration website https://www.ssa.gov/locator/ and create an account to apply electronically.
Phone: Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative and initiate your application over the phone.
In-Person: Visit your local Social Security office. You can find your nearest office using the SSA’s office locator tool mentioned above.
