Medicare Alabama: The Ultimate Guide
Are you one of almost one million Alabama Medicare beneficiaries? Medicare Plan Finder can help you pick the best Alabama Medicare plan for your needs.
Click below to learn more about Alabama Medicare:
- Medicare Alabama Eligibility
- What is the Cost of Alabama Medicare?
- Can I Have Medicare and Medicaid in Alabama?
- What Medicare Plans are Available in Alabama?
- Medicare Providers in Alabama
- Medicare Resources in Alabama
- Where Do I Apply for Medicare in Alabama?
- How Do I Apply for Medicare in Alabama?
Medicare Alabama Eligibility
There are three ways to be eligible for Alabama Medicare. You can age into the program by turning 65, you can be eligible by being diagnosed with ALS or ESRD, or you can be eligible by receiving SSDI for at least 25 months.
If you age into the program, you can start enrolling from three months before your 65th birthday. You have until three months after your 65th birthday. If you wait too long to enroll, you’ll face a late enrollment penalty fee. If you aren’t sure whether or not you meet the Medicare Alabama Eligibility requirements, give us a call at 844-431-1832.
What is the Cost of Alabama Medicare?
Your Medicare costs will vary based on how much coverage you want and what kind of discounts you qualify for. The most expensive part of your health care can easily be your prescriptions, but there may be a solution for that.
If you live in Alabama and are struggling to pay for your prescription drugs, your local Area Agency on Aging can help you through the Alabama SenioRx Prescription Assistance Program. SenioRx is for Alabamians aged 55 and older or disabled who require daily medication for a chronic medical condition. If you qualify, you will receive a three month supply of prescriptions either for free or for a very low cost. If you are still eligible, you can then renew those prescriptions.
You are only eligible for SenioRx if you do not have prescription drug coverage. However, if you do not qualify for SenioRx, we can help you get into a great Alabama Medicare plan with prescription drug coverage. We can also help you find out if you are eligible for LIS, a federal prescription drug savings program.
Can I Have Medicare and Medicaid in Alabama?
If you meet the Alabama Medicaid income requirements, you can get benefits from both Medicare and Medicaid. When you have both, your Medicare plan will kick in first, and then Medicaid can cover any qualifying out-of-pocket costs that Medicare cannot cover.
What Medicare Plans are Available in Alabama?
When you become eligible for Medicare, you’ll need to start by enrolling in Parts A and B. Part A covers your hospital bills, while Part B covers your doctor bills. Once you have A and B, you’ll need prescription drug coverage. You can either enroll in a Part D plan or Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C). Alternatively, you can select a Medicare Supplement plan, which helps you cover your Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments.
Medicare Advantage Alabama
Medicare Advantage combines all of your coverage (Part A, Part B, prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, fitness) into one convenient plan.
Medicare Supplements in Alabama
If Medicare Advantage is not right for you, you can choose a Medicare Supplement plan instead. Medicare Supplements do not usually provide dental, vision, hearing, or fitness benefits but will help you pay deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
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Medicare Providers in Alabama
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you’ll need to look for your plan’s specific provider network (doctors, clinics, pharmacies, etc.). You can usually find this on the carrier (insurance company) website. If you’re unsure, your licensed agent can answer those questions for you.
Alternatively, you can use an online search tool like “Zocdoc.” You’ll select the plan you have, your city or zip code, and the reason you need a doctor, and the site will populate doctors in your area who accept your plan.
Medicare Resources in Alabama
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) in Alabama are places where seniors, family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can find Alabama resources for the elderly and disabled. You can contact your local ADRC at 1-800-243-5463.
Some of the programs included in ADRCs are:
Alabama Cares Program: If you are a caregiver who assists with transportation, medicating, running errands, feeding and bathing, etc., the Alabama Cares program can provide assistance for decision-making and problem-solving when it comes to your client’s health concerns. They also provide assistance for adult day care, homemaker services, personal care, and other services that you may need help with. The program sometimes helps with some minor home modifications and assistive technology, meal delivery, emergency response systems, and transportation.
Nutrition Programs: Contact your local ADRC to find out if you qualify for help with home meal delivery or programs for healthy eating and nutrition.
Disaster Preparedness Program: Your local ADRC can help you prepare for an oncoming disaster, like a bad storm. Alabama also provides Safe Centers for seniors to seek refuge in certain locations throughout Alabama.
Elder Abuse Program: Elder abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or financial. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, contact your local ADRC for help. They can connect you with law enforcement and help you complete the necessary steps to escape abuse and stay safe in the future.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP): If you are looking to get back to work, the Alabama SCSEP can help you with training programs to help you find an (unsubsidized) position.
Alabama Senior Medicare Patrol Program: Unfortunately, anyone can become a victim of health care fraud. Medicare Plan Finder can help you look for the signs of fraud, and the Alabama Senior Medicare Patrol program can help you report errors, fraud, and abuse. Your local ADRC can help you with this program.
Alabama Legal Assistance Program: This program allows Alabama state lawyers to provide low-income seniors with free legal assistance. Their lawyers can help you with debt collection, elder abuse, fraud, housing predicaments, guardianship issues, social security, wills, powers of attorney, and more. Contact your local ADRC to see if you qualify for free legal assistance in Alabama.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program: The Alabama Long Term Care Ombudsman Program can help you or a loved one who is in a long-term care facility with resident rights, quality of care, transfers and discharges, etc. Contact your local ADRC for more information.
Personal Choices Program: The Alabama Personal Choices program is based on the national Cash and Counseling program. It offers seniors and disabled persons more choices for their care. Inside this program is the Medicaid Waiver for the Elderly and Disabled (E&D Waiver) program, which helps seniors and disabled persons get the services they need to continue living at home. Also included is the Alabama Community Transition (ACT) program, otherwise known as the Alabama Gateway to Community Living program. The ACT helps those who live in nursing facilities transition to a home or community setting. ACT individuals must have been in their nursing facility for at least 90 days and must move into their new arrangement within 180 days.
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Where Do I Apply for Medicare in Alabama?
You can apply for Medicare in Alabama by visiting or calling Social Security. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment with a licensed agent to go over your options and be sure you pick the best plan for your needs.
How Do I Apply for Medicare in Alabama?
The best way to start is by contacting us at Medicare Plan Finder. We’ll help you find out what types of savings programs you are eligible for. Then, we’ll look at all of the options available for you and help you select the best one.
To set up a free (no obligation) appointment with an agent in your area, give us a call now at 844-431-1832 or complete this form to request a call.
