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More on Medicare in Pocatello, Idaho
If you live in Pocatello (Bannock County), you have a variety of Medicare options. Understanding the extra features, costs, and assistance programs can help you make the best decision.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Pocatello
Medigap (Supplement) plans help “fill the gaps” of Original Medicare—things like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Availability is good: you can get popular Medigap plans like Plan G, Plan F (if eligible), Plan N, Plan A, etc.
Premiums vary a lot based on the plan, your age, health, and other factors. For example, for Plan G in Pocatello, premium ranges are roughly US $150-$260/month in many cases.
Part D Prescription Drug Plans
There are stand-alone Part D plans in Idaho. If your Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t cover drugs, or you’re using Original Medicare, you’ll probably want to enroll in Part D.
Premiums for Part D plans can start very low (some close to $0 for people who qualify for Extra Help) and go higher depending on coverage, type of drugs used, deductible, etc.
A major change coming from recent federal rules: there’s now a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs under Part D.
Income & Financial Assistance Programs
If your income or resources are limited, Pocatello residents may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs. These can help pay for Part A or Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, etc.
The Extra Help program helps reduce the cost of Part D (monthly premiums, deductibles, copays) for those who qualify.
For people who have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles), Idaho offers programs like IMPlus and other managed care options that coordinate benefits.
What to Watch Out For
Even “$0 premium” Advantage plans may come with other costs such as deductibles, copays, or higher coinsurance when using out-of-network providers.
Enrollment windows matter: the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15-Dec 7) lets you change Advantage or Part D plans once a year; there are also special windows in certain situations.
Drug formularies (which drugs are covered and at what cost) differ significantly from plan to plan. If you have regular prescriptions, check the formulary before enrolling.
Plan star ratings are important. They reflect quality, customer satisfaction, and how well the plan manages care. Better-rated plans often deliver more value.