Identifying your best senior health insurance options can be complicated. This page will give you a brief overview of the basics. Click on the GET HELP link at the bottom of the page to find out more.

Senior Health Insurance
Starts With Medicare

Regardless of your income, government provided senior health insurance starts with Medicare. The good news is that Medicare benefits pay for the majority (but not all) of most senior’s medical bills. The not so good news is that Medicare does not pay for everything. Uncovered expenses typically fall about 20% short. With uncovered expenses frequently running into thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars, medical expenses not covered by Medicare can be a VERY BIG number.

Read more about Original Medicare . . .

Medicare Supplements

Seniors who select Original Medicare have the option of selecting an additional private insurance plan to cover their prescription drug expenses. Or, they can select a more comprehensive Medicare Insurance Supplement (known as a Medigap plan) to fill in the “gaps” in their hospital and medical expenses that Original Medicare leaves uncovered.

Read more about Medicare Supplements.

Medicare Advantage Alternatives

Medicare Advantage insurance is an increasingly popular alternative to Medigap supplements.

Medicare Advantage provides Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private, Medicare-approved insurance company. Many plans provide extensive additional benefits possibly including prescription drug coverage, routine vision and dental care, over the counter health products and equipment, meals and transportation to health care appointments.

Read more about Medicare Advantage.

AHCCCS Medicaid

In Arizona, the state Medicaid program is administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

AHCCCS Medicaid helps vulnerable seniors pay for some or all of the medical expenses that are not covered by Medicare. And, when Medicaid coverage can be combined with Medicare Advantage benefits, the combination provides a wide range of medical and related services at little and possibly no cost.

These combined Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs are referred to as Dual Special Needs plans. They provide comprehensive low-cost and possibly no-cost coverage for prescription drugs, vision and dental care, over the counter health products and equipment, meals and transportation to health care appointments.

Read more about AHCCCS Medicaid options.

Dual Special Needs Plans

AHCCCS Medicaid qualified seniors may be eligible to combine AHCCCS Medicaid with Medicare Advantage coverage. These coordinated programs are referred to as Special Needs Plans. These plans limit membership to people with specific diseases/characteristics.

  • Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans are available to individuals who have both Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Chronic Special Needs Plans are a category of D-SNP plans that serve people who have chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure, diabetes and a number of other chronic conditions.
  • Institutional Special Needs Plans are available to individuals who live in an institution such as a nursing home, or require care in their own home.

Special Needs Plans provide a wide range of medical and related services at little and possibly no cost. Many include coverage for prescription drugs, vision and dental care, over the counter health products and equipment, meals and transportation to health care appointments.

Read more about Dual Special Needs Plans . . .

Arizona Long Term Care

Arizona Long Term Care (ALTCS) is the AHCCCS Medicaid senior health insurance program that provides low and no cost long term care for financially and medically eligible residents who are aged, blind, disabled or have a developmental disability.

ALTCS offers a complete array of acute medical, skilled nursing, assisted living, home health, behavioral health services, home and community based services, and case management services to all eligible persons.
The application process includes requirements for residency, age, disability, citizenship status and medical eligibility requirements.

Read more about ALTCS Medicaid plans . . .

Health Insurance For Seniors

Take Advantage Of Your
Health Insurance Options

To find out more about your senior health insurance options, click on the GET HELP link at the bottom of this page.

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