Having adequate health insurance becomes more important as we age. Medicare is a major insurance plan but is usually only available to those over 65 who have paid 10 years’ worth of Medicare taxes. Thankfully, there are other ways to retain health insurance for elderly citizens, and wish to retire early. In this article, we will review what we feel are some of the best-rated health insurance plans for seniors and early retirees in 2024.
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Medicare is only available to those 65 and over and those with certain disabilities.
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Seniors and early retirees have multiple options for health insurance coverage.
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Different plans offer different coverage depending on where you live. It’s best to check with an insurance broker in your area for more details.
Health insurance providers for seniors: shortlist
- Humana – best health insurance plan for 65+
- UHC – top provider for short-term insurance
- Aetna – excellent drug coverage
- Blue Cross Blue Shield – great insurance for those over 60
- Kaiser – good provider with top customer satisfaction
- Medicaid – available option for low income individuals
- Medicare – solid provider for those over 65
We evaluated many health insurance providers to find the best options across the country. The evaluation criteria are disclosed below in the article.
However, don’t forget that each situation is different, therefore, other health insurance plans might be more appropriate to your or your family’s individual needs. Read on to see which health insurance providers made our top list.
Best health insurance for senior citizens and retirees
There are many affordable health insurance options for seniors and early retirees. Medicare is available for seniors over 65 or those under 65 with a qualifying diagnosis. Another option is to retire partially and continue receiving health insurance from an employer. The marketplace is a great way to purchase individual health insurance for those who do not wish to work part-time.
If you qualify for Medicare but wish to obtain more coverage, a Medicare Advantage plan may be a good option for you as they offer benefits such as prescription drug coverage, vision, and dental coverage. We dive deeper and overview our top picks for seniors and retirees below.
1. Humana – best health insurance for seniors over 70
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Available in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, with variations based on plan types
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May cover transportation, meal delivery service, and lifestyle expenses
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Rated 4.3 out of 5 by CMS
Humana is a well-known Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. They offer one of the best Medicare plans for seniors. Humana plans are widely available. You can choose from a variety of affordable plans and prescription drug coverage, as well as vision and dental plans. The average monthly premium is less than $20. Coverage can be purchased directly through their website.
2. UHC – best health insurance for 55 and older
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Available in all 50 states, with variations based on plan types
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Provides dental, vision, hearing, and lifestyle benefits
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Rated 5 out of 5 by CMS
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has one of the largest provider networks in the US. They offer many benefits, including dental. They offer plans in every state, but coverage will vary based on the plans available in your location. UnitedHealthcare is well known for its short-term plans, which offer coverage for up to 36 months. If you retire early, these plans can help bridge the gap between employee-offered coverage and when Medicare kicks in.
3. Aetna – best Medicare plan for seniors
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Available in 49 states and Washington, DC, with variations based on plan types
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Along dental, vision, and hearing coverage, it also offers lifestyle benefits
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Rated 4.06 out of 5 by CMS
Original Medicare does not offer prescription drug coverage. Seniors who qualify for Medicare and want this coverage will need to purchase a supplemental Part D plan. Aetna offers Medicare Part D plans starting at just $6/month. These plans are usually not needed for those with MA plans because many include prescription drug coverage.
4. Blue Cross Blue Shield – excellent health insurance for seniors over 60
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Available in 50 states and Puerto Rico, with variations based on plan types
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Offers dental, vision, hearing, and transportation coverage
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Rated 4.17 out of 5 by CMS in the year 2023
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is offered nearly nationwide. They have Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement plans, and plans available for individual purchase on the marketplace. There are 34 independent organizations under their umbrella, which causes plans to differ depending on your location. Because of their size and availability, they have a large network of providers.
5. Kaiser – provider with great customer satisfaction rates
Kaiser Permanente is another large and well-known insurance provider. They offer individual, family, and Medicare Advantage plans and have consistently high customer satisfaction ratings. In 2022 their MA plan took the top rating in the J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study. They also received top ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
6. Medicaid – affordable health insurance for low-income seniors
Medicaid is a public health insurance program that offers free or low-cost insurance for those who qualify. People over 65 and on Medicare can still qualify for Medicaid if they meet the income criteria. However, Medicaid is a state-run program, and therefore, income criteria and coverage vary from state to state.
7. Medicare – cheapest health insurance for seniors
Medicare is the most widely known insurance provider for those over 65. However, if you are younger than 65, you may still be eligible if you have a qualifying diagnosis. Medicare provides hospital and health insurance, but it does not cover all out-of-pocket costs. Supplemental plans are available for things like prescription drug coverage, co-pays and deductibles. Medicare Advantage plans are available for purchase, and many of these offer dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
How we picked the best medical insurance for senior citizens
We based our decisions on multiple factors. These factors include state availability, cost, benefits, and customer satisfaction numbers. Plans that offered additional benefits such as drug coverage, vision, and dental were given preference over those that did not offer those benefits. State availability and large networks were other assets we looked at when considering different plans.
Many seniors and early retirees enjoy traveling and having health coverage while they are away from home is important. Cost was another major factor due to the need to factor health insurance into personal budgets. Customer satisfaction also weighed heavily into our decision. A plan can offer many benefits, but if the customers are not happy with the services, it may not be the best choice. We took employee coverage into consideration, but not all employers offer health insurance to retirees.
When it comes to health insurance, everyone has different wants, needs, and budget limitations. People are also limited to what insurance plans are available in their area. Not all plans are available in all locations, and benefits and pricing can vary depending on where you live. A good way to select the best plan is to evaluate your needs and plan availability. Checking with an independent insurance broker can help you select the best plan.
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Instant quotes online from multiple top carriers in 46 states
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Unlimited access to a licensed advisor - 100% free, no fees
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Offers Medicare Advantage, Drug and Medigap plans
At what age are seniors eligible for Medicare?
Most seniors are eligible for Medicare at age 65 after paying 10 years’ worth of Medicare taxes. There are exceptions to this, however. One of those exceptions is if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) checks. After receiving these checks for 24 consecutive months, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare parts A and B. Another exception is if you have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) AND need dialysis or a kidney transplant. You will also automatically be enrolled in Medicare if you have Lou Gehrig’s disease and receive disability benefits.
What are health insurance options for seniors below 65?
Seniors below the age of 65 have multiple options for health insurance. One of those options is Medicare if they have a qualifying diagnosis or receive SSI benefits. Another option would be to continue working, either full-time or part-time and receive health insurance through an employer.
If the employer does not offer health insurance as a benefit, plans can be purchased through the marketplace. This is also an option for someone below the age of 65 who has decided to retire early and does not have an employer to receive benefits from. Some insurance companies, like UHC, offer short-term insurance plans.
What is the best health insurance for seniors on Medicare?
Choosing the best health insurance for seniors depends on many factors. For example, answering questions like, "Do I need prescription drug coverage? How about vision or dental? Can I afford the monthly premiums?" and "Do I live in an area with many available options?" will make the decision easier.
If you are looking for prescription drug coverage, we found that Aetna offers great Medicare part D plans, along with one of the best supplemental health insurance for seniors. They cover a wide range of prescription drugs at a low monthly cost. Meet with an independent insurance broker in your area to discuss what your best options are.
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FAQ
What is the best health insurance for senior citizens over 60?
We found Blue Cross Blue Shield to be the best health insurance for seniors over 60. Their plans are available nearly nationwide, have below-average out-of-pocket expenses, and are available for purchase on the marketplace.
Is private health insurance for seniors worth it?
Private health insurance for seniors can be worth it, depending on the plan and your needs. If you are on prescription drugs, a plan with prescription drug coverage will likely be beneficial to you. As we age, our health needs and costs are likely to increase. Having a plan in place can help you cover these costs.
What seniors are eligible for Medicare insurance?
Seniors over 65 who have paid at least 10 years’ worth of Medicare taxes are eligible for Medicare. In addition, seniors under the age of 65 who receive SSI benefits for 24 months, have ESRD, and need dialysis or a kidney transplant, as well as those with Lou Gehrig’s disease, are also eligible.
How much is health insurance for seniors?
The cost of health insurance for seniors depends on their health insurance. Medicare is free for those who qualify. The cost of Medicare supplement plans, MA plans, and private insurance plans varies depending on the insurance provider and location.
Can a 60-year-old get insurance?
Yes, a 60-year-old has many options for insurance. They can receive Medicare if they qualify. They can also receive benefits from an employer if they are still working. If they are no longer working or their employer does not offer benefits, they can purchase individual plans from the marketplace.
9 resources
- Get started with Medicare. Medicare Advantage Under 65 | Disability, ESRD, ALS.
- MedicareAdvantage. Medicare Advantage Under 65 | Disability, ESRD, ALS.
- NAIC. Kaiser Permanente Ins Co National Complaint Index Report.
- NCQA. Health Plans.
- Aetna Medicare Solutions. Prescription drug plans offer real options.
- BCBS. The Blue Cross Blue Shield System.
- Healthcare. Medicaid & CHIP coverage.
- Humana. Humana significantly expands Medicare Advantage health plan offerings in 2023 with focus on greater value for members.
- Kaiser Permanente. Fast Facts.
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