When you turn 65 years old, you can get health insurance through the federal government with Medicare plans in Wisconsin. You may also be able to get coverage before you turn age 65 if you meet certain qualifications, such as living with certain disabilities.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in Wisconsin for the 2022 plan year:

  • A total of 1,221,802 residents of Wisconsin are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium decreased in Wisconsin compared to last year — from $31.86 in 2021 to $29.87 in 2022.
  • There are 115 Medicare Advantage plans available in Wisconsin for 2022, compared to 115 plans in 2021.
  • All Wisconsin residents with Medicare have access to buy a Medicare Advantage plan, including plans with $0 premiums.
  • There are 12 different Medigap plans offered in Wisconsin for 2022.

Original Medicare covers hospital inpatient care and outpatient services. Everyone who gets a Medicare plan must enroll in Part A and Part B.

Part A

Medicare Part A provides coverage for care in hospitals and for hospice. It also provides limited coverage for care in skilled nursing facilities and home healthcare.

If you or a spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you won’t need to pay a premium for Part A. If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you can purchase it.

With Part A, you’ll be responsible for paying a deductible for each benefit period.

Part B

Medicare Part B provides coverage for outpatient care, including:

  • doctor’s visits
  • preventive care
  • lab tests
  • imaging
  • durable medical equipment

Part B has a monthly premium and an annual deductible. Once the deductible is met, you’ll also be responsible for 20 percent coinsurance toward the cost of your care.

Part D

Prescription drug coverage is available through a private insurer. This is referred to as Medicare Part D.

You can purchase Part D separately with Medicare, or get a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage.

Medicare supplemental plans (Medigap)

Medigap plans are different in Wisconsin than they are in other states. Wisconsin Medigap plans do not have the letter names. Wisconsin mandates three types of Medicare supplemental plans available with original Medicare in Wisconsin:

  • Medigap. This type of plan helps cover costs for parts A and B. Some plans have higher cost-sharing, higher deductibles, or out-of-pocket maximums. You can use Medigap with in- and out-of-network providers.
  • Medicare SELECT. This is supplemental insurance that covers parts A and B costs as long as you go to a provider in the plan’s network.
  • Medicare Cost. Basic and enhanced policy options pay for your costs. Plans include a provider network and are only available if you live in the plan’s area.

Who sells Medicare Supplement plans Wisconsin?

These are some of the carriers that offer Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans in Wisconsin:

  • Garden State Life Insurance Company
  • Humana
  • Mutual of Omaha (United World Life Insurance Company)
  • Physicians Life Insurance Company
  • Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available through private insurers with all your benefits bundled into a single plan.

Medicare Advantage offers plans through private insurance carriers. These plans bundle together the benefits of parts A and B. Most Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage, and some include:

Medicare Advantage plans also often have an out-of-pocket maximum, meaning you pay a deductible and coinsurance up to the maximum, then the plan covers your costs for the rest of the year. OriginalMedicare does not have an out-of-pocket max.

Who sells Medicare Advantage Plans in Wisconsin?

These are some of the carriers that offer Medicare Advantage plans in Wisconsin:

  • Aetna Medicare
  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Dean Health Plan, Inc.
  • Humana
  • Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin and Massachusetts
  • Quartz Medicare Advantage
  • Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc.
  • UnitedHealthcare

The available choices for your plan will vary depending on the county where you live.

Types of Medicare Advantage plans

In addition to choosing a carrier, there are also several different types of Medicare Advantage plans available in Wisconsin.

  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). In an HMO, a primary care physician (PCP) you choose coordinates care and refers you to specialists within the network. Care outside the network isn’t covered except in an emergency. To avoid unexpected expenses, follow all the plan rules carefully.
  • Point of Service (POS). Get care from a network of hospitals, doctors, and facilities that the plan covers. POS care outside of the network is available, but costs more. You may also need a referral from your PCP for out-of-network care.
  • Preferred Provider Plan (PPP). Benefits are covered when you use the plan’s network of providers. Some out-of-network care may be covered, but will cost more. Providers within the network are often limited to certain geographic areas.
  • Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS). You can go to any Medicare-approved doctor who accepts the PFFS plan. Coverage and payment terms are negotiated between the provider and plan. Not all doctors and facilities accept PFFS plans.
  • Medicare savings account (MSA). A high-deductible health insurance policy that covers parts A and B, and a savings account to pay for approved medical costs. Medicare deposits a certain amount into your MSA each year. Deductibles can be very high and the amount deposited may not cover it all.
  • Special Needs Plan (SNP). An SNP is available if you need coordinated care or care management because you have chronic or disabling conditions or are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible).

You’re eligible for Medicare in Wisconsin when you turn 65 years old if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident for five or more years. You may also be eligible if you are under age 65 and:

Initial enrollment period

You can enroll in Medicare for the first time up to 3 months before you turn 65, and coverage begins the first day of that month. You can also enroll during, or 3 months after, your birthday month, but there is a delay before coverage begins.

If you decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll still need to first enroll in parts A and B when you become eligible for Medicare, and pay the Part B premium.

You can then choose if you want a Part C plan.

Special enrollment period

In some special circumstances, you can enroll in Medicare outside the normal periods. Examples of circumstances that may allow you to qualify include losing an employer-sponsored plan or moving out of your plan’s service area.

Annual election period

During the annual election period, you can make changes to your current plan or switch between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

The annual election period is from October 15 to December 7.

General enrollment period

If you didn’t enroll in Medicare during your initial enrollment period, you can enroll in Medicare parts A, B, or D during the general enrollment period. There may be a penalty for late enrollment.

The general enrollment period is from January 1 to March 21.

Medicare Advantage open enrollment

You can switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare Advantage open enrollment. You can also switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to original Medicare during this time.

Medicare Advantage open enrollment is from January 1 to March 21.

You can enroll online, by phone (800-772-1213 or TTY 800-325-0778), or in person for Medicare Wisconsin. Carefully review all the available plans to make sure they:

  • cover the care you need
  • include doctors and facilities in their network that you want to use
  • have affordable premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums
  • are rated highly for patient satisfaction and quality

When you are ready to sign up for Medicare in Wisconsin:

  • compare plans to get the right coverage and affordable costs
  • identify your enrollment period and mark your calendar to avoid missing a deadline
  • contact the Wisconsin SHIP with any questions

There are organizations that can help if you need more information about Medicare or help to enroll. In Wisconsin, these organizations include:

  • Over 1.2 million people in Wisconsin were enrolled in Medicare in 2021.
  • There are several private insurance companies offering various types of Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans in Wisconsin.
  • Overall, monthly premium costs have decreased for 2022 Medicare Advantage plans in Wisconsin.