Medicare in Nebraska
Key Takeaways
- If you’re 65 or older, Medicare in Nebraska offers an affordable option for your healthcare needs.
- Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). offers hospital and medical insurance, with the option of adding drug and supplemental coverage.
- Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older that blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance. This typically includes a bundle of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). substitutes for Original Medicare and usually bundles drug and supplemental coverage like dental and vision.
In 1872, a man who built a White House replica in his home state of Nebraska offered a prize to the resident who could plant the most trees on a designated day. Nebraskans responded by planting a million trees, and Arbor Day was born.
Unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees, but Medicare in Nebraska provides an affordable health insurance option. GoHealth is here to make sure your understanding of Medicare is on solid ground.
Who Qualifies for Medicare in Nebraska?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 65 or older, you qualify for Medicare. It’s as simple as that.
Of course, not everything about Medicare is that simple.
Medicare is a federal program that provides affordable health insurance to older Americans nearing retirement. At age 65, you can enroll in Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), or both — collectively known as Original Medicare. If you enroll in both, you have the option to add Part D to help with drug costs and Medigap (supplemental insurance) to cover some out-of-pocket expenses.
Private insurance companies manage Part D and Medigap plans with guidance from the federal government. That’s also the case with Medicare Advantage in Nebraska.
Suppose you are enrolled in both Parts A and B. In that case, you have the option of switching to a Medicare Advantage plan that replaces Original Medicare and includes the benefits of Parts A and B while bundling drug and supplemental coverage and offering additional coverages like dental and vision.
Looking for a plan with prescription drug coverage?
How Do You Get Medicare When You Turn 65?
Your choices for applying for Medicare in Nebraska include:
- Enrolling online with the Social Security Administration.
- Visiting a local Social Security office.
- Enroll over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
Is Medicare Free After You Turn 65?
If you need low-cost insurance because of your financial situation, some people on Medicare in Nebraska qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, a federal program administered by individual states that helps cover costs associated with Medicare.
Some Nebraska residents facing more severe needs may 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).
Have questions about your Medicare coverage?
What Are the Requirements for Receiving Medicare?
In most instances, Medicare has monthly premiums with certain exceptions:
- Part A doesn’t require a monthly premium for most people, but because of the plan’s deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, it can’t be called “free” insurance.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans don’t require a monthly premium while substituting for the coverage provided by both Part A and Part B. That’s possible in part because Medicare Advantage plans feature a regional network of doctors instead of the nationwide coverage offered by Original Medicare.
What Is the Best Prescription Plan for Medicare?
Part D prescription drug coverage varies by plan and carrier. To find the best option for you, first, make sure your medication is covered. Whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, private insurance companies will administer your prescription drug plan.
GoHealth can help you compare different plans to find one that meets your Rx needs.
Which Company Has the Best Medicare Advantage Plan?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 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 are offered the opportunity to switch to a five-star plan each year.
While the premiums and rating systems can shed light on various Medicare Advantage plans’ value, there’s more to navigating Medicare in Nebraska. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can review your situation and figure out what Medicare plan is the right fit for you.
Can I bundle multiple benefits into one plan?
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 334,898 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Nebraska. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage increased from 61,849 to 76,571 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Nebraska went from 18.94% to 22.86% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Nebraska breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
334,898 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
76,571 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
22.86% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate
55.08% Female
44.92% Male
91.87% Non-Hispanic White
2.02% African American
2.37% Hispanic
3.74% Other/Unknown
11.25% Eligible for Medicaid
0.91 Average HCC Score
$10,100.63 Actual Per Capita Costs
15.83% Hospital Readmission Rate
24.56% % of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
61,849 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
18.94% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
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.
Nebraska SHIP - Medicare Counseling
https://doi.nebraska.gov/consumer/senior-health
What should I know about SHIP?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers free, unbiased Medicare advice to Nebraska residents.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Aging-and-Disability-Resource-Center.aspx
What should I know about the Aging and Disability Resource Center?
The center helps Nebraskans 60 or older and those with disabilities like long-term care solutions and fraud.
Legal Assistance Program
https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Aging-Legal-Services.aspx
What should I know about the Legal Assistance Program?
Seniors in need of legal help can call for guidance via a partnership between the Area Agencies on Aging and Legal Aid of Nebraska.
ACCESSNebraska - Medicaid
https://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/accessnebraska.aspx
What should I know about ACCESSNebraska?
This department administers all aspects of the state’s Medicaid program.
Nationwide Resources
Speak with a GoHealth insurance agent that is licensed in Nebraska about your Medicare questions.
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
You can reach the Social Security Administration by phone for general questions. Not all questions can be answered over the phone.
Also, SSA.gov provides online resources for the following: Review information, apply for benefits, or manage your account online
1-800-722-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
Speak to SSA Representative, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 7 PM ET
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.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- Apply for Benefits. SSA.gov.
- Social Security Office Locator. SSA.gov.
- Medicare Costs at a Glance. Medicare.gov.
- Trump Administration Announces Historically Low Medicare Advantage Premiums and New Payment Model to Make Insulin Affordable Again for Seniors. CMS.gov.
- 5-star special enrollment period. Medicare.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.