Medicare in West Virginia
Key Takeaways
Original Medicare in West Virginia features hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) coverage with the option of adding drug and supplemental coverage.
Most people are eligible at age 65, which opens the door to Medicare Advantage plans that replace Original Medicare while offering additional benefits like dental and vision.
Medicaid in West Virginia covers similar benefits, but eligibility is based on need regardless of age.
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West Virginia.
The New River Gorge Bridge’s steel arch portion spans 1,700 feet, turning a treacherous one-hour drive through mountainous terrain into a picturesque one-minute drive.
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How do I Apply for Medicare in West Virginia?
Your options for applying for Medicare in WV 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).
Medicare is a federal program that provides affordable healthcare for older Americans nearing retirement. At age 65, you can enroll in Part A (also known as “hospital insurance”), Part B (“medical insurance”) or both.
Once enrolled in Original Medicare, you have the option of enrolling into a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan in West Virginia.
If you decide to stay enrolled in Parts A and B, you have the option to add Part D to cover your prescription expenses. You may also choose to add Medigap, (another name for Medicare Supplement insurance) that helps fill in the gaps in out-of-pocket costs like copays and coinsurance. Most Medicare Advantage plans also include drug and supplemental coverage.
Who Is Eligible for Medicare in West Virginia?
If you’re a U.S. citizen and are age 65 or older, you qualify for Medicare in West Virginia. You’re also eligible regardless of your age if:
- 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.
If you are receiving Social Security benefits before you turn 65, you may be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare. If not, you have to apply. Your first chance to sign up is during your Initial Enrollment Period, which starts three months before the month you turn 65, and ends three months after your birthday month.
Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?
What Is the Income Limit to Receive Medicare?
Your income isn’t a factor in your ability to sign up for Medicare plans in West Virginia (it’s a different story with Medicaid).
When it comes to Part A of Original Medicare, earned income is a positive. If you or your spouse has worked at least 10 years, you don’t have to pay a monthly premium for Part A.
For Part B, higher-income earners may have to pay more than the standard premium. In 2022, the standard monthly premium for Part B is $170.10, and it increases only if your individual income on your 2020 tax return was more than $91,000. The highest earners will pay $578.30 per month for Part B in 2022.
Who Is Eligible for Medicaid in West Virginia?
Each state has its plan for administering Medicaid, a federal/state program founded alongside Medicare in 1965 that helps those facing a financial need and/or disability regardless of age.
The state of West Virginia oversees the Medicaid program for the state’s residents, offering coverage to all individuals in need with some programs geared toward children and pregnant women. If you’re living with a limited income and have trouble affording healthcare, see if you qualify for Medicaid in West Virginia.
What extra benefits and savings do you qualify for?
What Is the Average Cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan?
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan in 2022 is $25.53.
Every Medicare Advantage plan in West Virginia must offer, at least, the same level of coverage as Original Medicare Parts A and B. In 2022, most people won’t pay a monthly premium for Part A, while most people pay the standard monthly premium of $170.10 for Part B.
Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare have different coverage areas. You can use Original Medicare nationwide, but Medicare Advantage is limited to a provider network. The limited network allows Medicare Advantage in West Virginia to often offer more affordable options.
What Is the Best Medicare Plan to Get?
In the case of Original Medicare in WV, there’s only one plan — Parts A and B, which does open the option to add Part D and Medigap coverage from private insurance companies.
In the case of Medicare Advantage in West Virginia, there are many plans.
- 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 may offer all of the above!
Medicare Advantage plans offer a variety of benefits that can be overwhelming. However, it’s simple for a licensed insurance agent at GoHealth to analyze your needs and figure out which plan option is the right fit for you.
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Medicare in West Virginia by the Numbers
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 427,400 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in West Virginia. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Increased from 157,857 to 176,831 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in West Virginia went from 37.30% to 41.37% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in West Virginia breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
Medicare
West Virginia
427,400 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
176,831 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
41.37% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate
52.41% Female
47.59% Male
95.27% Non-Hispanic White
2.55% African American
0.52% Hispanic
1.65% Other/Unknown
23.93% Eligible for Medicaid
1.01 Average HCC Score
$9,468.11 Actual Per Capita Costs
19.79% Hospital Readmission Rate
29.70% of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
157,857 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
37.30% 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.
West Virginia Medicare Resources & Contacts
Beneficiaries spend an average of $9,468.11 each year on Medicare in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia-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
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Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
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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
