Medicare in Oklahoma
Key Takeaways
If you’re 65 or older, Medicare in Oklahoma offers an affordable option for your healthcare needs.
Original Medicare can save you money if you’re approaching retirement, as can the addition of a drug coverage plan and a Medigap supplement.
Medicare Advantage in Oklahoma can save you more money by offering the same coverage as Original Medicare while replacing it and also bundling services dental and vision care.
Oklahoma is known as the “Sooner State,” a tribute to enterprising settlers who jumped the gun on the Land Rush of 1889 and staked their claim before the official start time at high noon.
While you can’t begin your Medicare journey before you qualify, you can get the jump on things by knowing what to expect before you turn 65. And if you’re already 65 but haven’t yet enrolled, discover why it might be wise to sign up for Medicare in Oklahoma “sooner” rather than later.
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Who Qualifies for Medicare in Oklahoma?
If you are a U.S. citizen age 65 or older, you qualify for Medicare in OK. It’s as simple as that. Of course, not everything about Medicare is that simple.
If you have opted to receive Social Security benefits before you turn 65, you should be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare. If not, you have to apply. Your first chance to sign up is during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), a seven-month window that begins three months prior to the month you turn 65.
Your choices for applying for Medicare in Oklahoma include:
- Enrolling online with the Social Security Administration
- Visiting a local Social Security office
- Enrolling over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
Can You Get on Medicare Before Age 65?
Only in a few particular circumstances can you get Medicare before 65:
- You have end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS).
- You have received 24 monthly payments of Social Security Disability Insurance or Railroad Board benefits.
You can get similar coverage to Medicare at any age if you qualify for Medicaid, a federal/state program founded alongside Medicare in 1965 that helps those facing a financial need or a disability. When you turn 65, it is possible to be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (called dual eligibility).
Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?
Do You Pay for Medicare at Age 65?
Everyone loves a bargain, and no one wants to pay for something they’re not going to use.
Your situation will determine whether Medicare in Oklahoma makes sense for you at age 65, but some universal truths can inform your decision.
If you have worked for 10 or more years, you can enroll in Part A of Original Medicare at age 65 and not have to pay a monthly premium. While there are costs involved with Part A, people eligible for it typically enroll at 65 because it provides valuable “hospital insurance” with no upfront cost.
By contrast, Part B provides “medical insurance” that does require a monthly premium, which is $170.10 in 2022 (or higher for a few higher-income individuals). People still carrying employer-sponsored group health insurance sometimes opt to stick with that over Part B at age 65. You receive a Special Enrollment Period when your employer coverage ends. It allows you to add Part B without paying a late-enrollment penalty. If you don’t have other insurance, Part B is an affordable option at 65 that will increase in price if you delay enrollment beyond age 65.
If you do enroll in Parts A and B, you have the option to add Part D to cover a portion of your prescription expenses. You may also choose to add Medigap, which is supplemental coverage that helps fill in the gaps in out-of-pocket costs like copays and coinsurance.
Medicare Advantage in Oklahoma offers an alternative. Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) bundles Parts A, B, D, and supplemental coverage and benefits like dental and vision coverage.
Who Has the Best Medicare Supplement Plan?
Ideally, Medigap plans should be added in the six months after your Original Medicare coverage begins to ensure eligibility without being denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. Keep in mind that different insurers may charge different rates for the same plans based on various factors.
All 10 standard Medigap plans, lettered from Plan A to Plan N, are available in Oklahoma and cover 100% of Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits run out. All 10 also pay at least 50% of Part B coinsurance and copayments.
Each plan offers a specific mix of benefits, but just two of them (Plans K and L) protect you with an out-of-pocket maximum. Medicare Advantage plans, by contrast, are required to include the benefit of an out-of-pocket maximum.
What extra benefits and savings do you qualify for?
What are the Different Medicare Plans Available?
When it comes to Medicare plans in Oklahoma, there’s only one Original Medicare plan, which includes Parts A and B and features the option to add Part D and Medigap coverage from private insurance companies.
When it comes to Medicare Advantage in Oklahoma, numerous plans are available.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans mirror Original Medicare but are more affordable.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include options for dental, vision and hearing coverage.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans offer assistance with transportation costs or over-the-counter needs.
- Some offer all of the above.
Which is the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Oklahoma?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a Medicare Star Rating system that assigns one to five stars (five being the highest-rated) to individual Medicare Advantage plans.
If you’re already on a Medicare Advantage plan and it’s not five-star, you have the opportunity to switch to a five-star plan each year.
While the rating system can shed light on various Medicare Advantage plans’ performance, it’s not as easy as just picking the highest-rated plan. A dedicated GoHealth licensed insurance agent can review your situation and figure out what Medicare Advantage plan is the right fit for you.
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Medicare in Oklahoma by the Numbers
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 710,277 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Oklahoma. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Increased from 173,707 to 203,665 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Oklahoma went from 25.00% to 28.67% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Oklahoma breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
Medicare
Oklahoma
710,277 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
203,665 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
28.67% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate
55.00% Female
45.00% Male
82.68% Non-Hispanic White
4.98% African American
2.39% Hispanic
9.95% Other/Unknown
16.88% Eligible for Medicaid
1.03 Average HCC Score
$11,154.43 Actual Per Capita Costs
17.47% Hospital Readmission Rate
29.54% of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
173,707 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
25.00% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
See more +
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Oklahoma Medicare Resources & Contacts
Beneficiaries spend an average of $11,320.50 each year on Medicare in Oklahoma. To be certain you are not leaving anything on the table, let us help. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can assess your coverage or explain which Oklahoma-based resources, like these, may be able to help:
Nationwide Resources
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Medicare guide
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare guide
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare guide
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Medicare guide
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Medicare guide
A Caregiver’s Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
