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Utah has the 6th fastest growing senior citizen population in the U.S. and the rate of growth is projected to accelerate to one person turning 65 every 23 minutes by 2015. According to a 2001 report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Utah eligible residents received an average of $5,120 in health benefits, of which a significant percentage is for long-term care.*
Looking for an affordable Medicare Advantage plan in Utah. Request a free quote today >>
Faced with these statistics, it seems that Utah may have a greater need for supplemental health coverage than most states, as coverage gaps in Medicare can only get wider in the coming years. One option for Utah Medicare beneficiaries would be Medicare Advantage plans, which are designed to provide extended health benefits over and above those provided under Medicare Plan A (hospital) and Plan B (optional medical insurance).
There can be many combinations of health benefits built into at least 58 Medicare-approved Medicare Advantage plans offered in part or the whole of Utah, but it would be advisable that the Medicare Advantage plan include prescription drug coverage* (not included in basic Medicare) considering that a major part of the out-of-pocket health costs for Utah senior citizens is for medication. Three of these Medicare Advantage plans (on a Private Fee for Service format) with prescription drug coverage that carry no monthly premiums in Utah is:
AARP
Advantra
Aetna
Universal Health Care
WellCare
Educators Mutual Insurance Association
Evercare
Molina Healthcare
Humana
Blue Cross
UniCare
SecureHorizons
Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company
Sterling Options
HealthMarkets Care Assured
Today’s Options
Your retirement in Utah could be better with a quality senior health insurance plan >>
* You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or Your State Medicaid Office
Dental or vision options can be added to your
coverage.
Living longer means paying more for health care.
A woman who retires at 65 can expect to maintain her health until the age of 84, on average.2
Men who expect high health costs after they turn 65 end up retiring – on average – 13 months later than those who don't.3