Medicare Advantage Plans, Cherokee County, AL, 2024
We reviewed the top 30 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Cherokee County, Alabama for 2024. Here's what we learned:
Key Facts
- The average premium is $18.74 per month.[3]
- The average out-of-pocket limit is $5,390 per year.[3]
- The average drug plan deductible (for plans that include Part D) is $129.35 per year.[3]
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rated 72% of all plans available in Cherokee County 4 stars or higher.[3]
- There are 4 5-star plans available that qualify for the 5-star special enrollment period.
- There are 3 plan types to choose from, including HMO, PPO, HMO-POS, and possibly SNP plans (see: Cherokee County, AL Medicare Special Needs Plans.
Cherokee County, Alabama Medicare Advantage Plans
Plan Name | Type | Premium | MOOP | Rx Ded. | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIVA Medicare Plus* | HMO | $0 | $5,400 | $0 | |
VIVA Medicare Premier* | HMO | $96 | $4,500 | $0 | |
VIVA Medicare Prime* | HMO | $46 | $5,400 | $0 | |
VIVA Medicare Select* | HMO | $0 | $4,500 | N/A | |
Humana USAA Honor* | PPO | $0 | $3,400 | N/A | |
Humana Value Plus H5216-179* | PPO | $41 | $3,000 | $545 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-269* | PPO | $0 | $5,900 | $150 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-368* | PPO | $7 | $6,700 | $150 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0001 | HMO-POS | $0 | $4,900 | $0 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0002 | HMO-POS | $39 | $3,800 | $0 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx AL-MA01 | HMO-POS | $0 | $5,500 | N/A | |
Aetna Medicare Eagle | PPO | $0 | $5,500 | N/A | |
Aetna Medicare Freedom | PPO | $0 | $5,900 | $0 | |
Aetna Medicare Value Plus | PPO | $27 | $7,900 | $300 | |
Blue Advantage Complete | PPO | $0 | $5,100 | $0 | |
Blue Advantage Premier | PPO | $159 | $3,400 | $0 | |
Cigna Courage Medicare | HMO | $0 | $5,400 | N/A | |
Cigna Preferred AL Medicare | HMO | $0 | $8,850 | $195 | |
Cigna Preferred Medicare | HMO | $0 | $4,900 | $0 | |
Cigna Preferred Plus Medicare | HMO | $32 | $4,500 | $0 | |
Humana Gold Plus H5619-089 | HMO | $0 | $5,900 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice R7315-001 | PPO | $0 | $5,900 | N/A | |
HumanaChoice R7315-002 | PPO | $75 | $6,700 | $545 | |
Cigna True Choice Access Medicare | PPO | $0 | $5,600 | $0 | |
Cigna True Choice Savings Medicare | PPO | $0 | $5,900 | $0 | |
Wellcare Assist | HMO | $21 | $4,500 | $545 | |
Wellcare Giveback Open | PPO | $0 | $7,350 | $545 | |
Wellcare No Premium | HMO | $0 | $4,500 | $0 | |
Wellcare No Premium Open | PPO | $0 | $5,500 | $0 | |
*Rated by CMS as one of the best Medicare Advantage plans available in Alabama based on the most recent Part C and Part D performance ratings.[4] **Certain PFFS, MSA, and HMO-POS plans have a combined in and out-of-network maximum. Limits are detailed on the plan pages. |
Cherokee County, AL
Medicare Advantage Plan Information
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans provide an alternative to Original Medicare for people on Medicare living in Cherokee County. The 30 plans available are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that agree to provide coverage by Medicare's rules. MA plans, also known as Medicare Part C, can offer additional benefits unavailable through Original Medicare.
Prescription medication coverage is often included as an additional benefit. Plans that include prescription coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (or MAPDs). They help Cherokee County people on Medicare reduce their premiums and/or out-of-pocket costs.
The highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama have a CMS star rating of 4.0 stars or better. These plans are where many people start their search. See: medicarewire.com/medicare-advantage/alabama/
3 Plan Types to Choose in Cherokee County
Medicare allows 7 distinct types of private health plans, although the availability of these plans may vary by location. In Cherokee County, people on Medicare (beneficiaries) can select from 3 out of the 7 plan types, which are as follows:
Plan Type | Description |
---|---|
HMO | Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) members usually receive services through the plan's local network of providers. Referrals are typically required to see a specialist and other providers. However, plans allow out-of-network care for emergencies and out-of-area dialysis. Prescription drug coverage is often included in HMO plans, and many plans include some coverage for dental, vison, and hearing. |
PPO | Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) members can usually use in-network and out-of-network providers for care, including hospitalization. However, visits to non-network providers could cost significantly more. PPO plans often include prescription drug coverage and other benefits, and referrals are typically not required for specialist visits. |
HMO-POS | An HMO-POS (point-of-sale) plan offers the same features as an HMO plan. There is however one major difference. HMO-POS plans allow members to access healthcare providers outside of the plan's network to receive some or all of their services. In most cases, to go out of the plan's network a member will need to get a referral from their physician. Plus, there are separate deductibles for in-network and out-of-network services. |
SNP |
See below. |
Getting Enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan
If you are age 65 or older, you most likely qualify to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that's available in Cherokee County.
You are only allowed to join, drop or change Medicare Advantage plans during a Medicare Election Period. The period between October 15 and December 7 is the Annual Enrollment Period. That's when most people join or change their Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans or go back to Original Medicare.
There's also an Individual Election Period (IEP) that you can use once. Your IEP is a 7-month period of time around your 65th birthday. It begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months later. If you have Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your IEP begins on the 25th month.
How to Get Prescription Drug Coverage If It's Not Included
Some people may qualify to join a standalone prescription drug plan. A Medicare Part D plan, or PDP, adds coverage for prescription Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans that don't include prescription coverage.
It is important to note that plans that provide prescription drug coverage can disenroll members who join a standalone PDP. Medicare does not allow you to be enrolled in plans that provide overlapping benefits.
Other Medicare Plan Options in Cherokee County
Medicare Advantage is one way to get full coverage healthcare. However, many people feel that Medicare Advantage plans have too many disadvantages. Another option is to keep Original Medicare benefits and add more coverage with a Alabama Medicare Supplement plan and a Alabama Medicare Part D plan (PDP) to help pay for your prescription medications.
If you're not familiar with Medigap policies, and how they protect you from out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare, please review our Medicare Supplement directory, where you can learn about and compare Medigap plans. All Medigap plans are standardized. That means you can choose the plan you need based on the best price without worrying about the benefits.
NOTE: If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan you cannot buy a Medicare Supplement for additional coverage. Medicare Supplements only work with Original Medicare.
Cherokee County Special Needs Plans (SNP)
Some Americans may have special circumstances, including institutional care, care for chronic health conditions, and dual eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid. If you or a loved one have one of these special needs, look into the availability of a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP).
We organize Medicare Special Needs Plans for Cherokee County, Alabama in a separate directory. Although SNP plans are Medicare Advantage plans, they are only available to qualifying individuals, including:
- Individuals in a nursing home or receiving skilled nursing care at home;
- Individuals with both Medicare and Medicaid benefits; and
- Individuals with certain chronic health conditions.
Plan Availability
The MA and MAPD plans on this page are available to people on Medicare enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B living in Cedar Bluff, Centre, Gaylesville, Leesburg, and all other areas of Cherokee County, Alabama.
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Cigna Healthcare, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, UnitedHealthcare(R), and Wellcare.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, "2024 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files", Last Accessed October 14, 2023
- CMS.gov, "2024 Part C and D Performance Data", Last Accessed October 14, 2023
- MedicareWire.com, "What is Medicare Advantage?", Last Accessed 11 April, 2022
- MedicareWire.com, "Special Needs Plans", Last Accessed 15 June, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "Learn How Medigap Works", Last Accessed 1 July, 2023
[3]Data & Statistics
The data presented on this page is derived from the 2024 Landscape Source Files and the Part C and D Performance Data published by CMS.
The average premium, average out-of-pocket limit, and average drug plan deductible statistics for Cherokee County, Alabama are derived from the most recent Landscape Source Files, excluding employer, MMP and SNP plans. MedicareWire publishes Special Needs Plans here.
Star rating statistics are derived from the most recent Part C and D Performance Data, excluding employer, MMP, SNP, and plans that have not yet been rated by CMS.
[4]Highest-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans
CMS publishes the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Star Ratings each year to measure the quality of health and drug services received by people on Medicare in Cherokee County. MedicareWire highlights plans rated 4.0 or better as "highest-rated" or "top-rated" because they received the overall highest summary rating from CMS. According to CMS, "The Star Ratings system helps Medicare consumers compare the quality of Medicare health and drug plans being offered so they are empowered to make the best health care decisions for them."