Key Takeaways:
- Kentucky offers a wide range of Medicare options for its residents, including 110 Medicare Advantage plans and 16 Part D prescription drug plans.
- Beneficiaries here also have access to 10 standardized Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans, besides two high-deductible options.
- To get the most value for your money, compare plans based on provider networks, extra benefits, and local partnerships, and not just low monthly premiums.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for eligible individuals aged 65 years and above and younger people with certain covered diseases and disabilities.
It is divided into multiple parts with different coverage options and cost-sharing models. For Kentucky residents, that means having to navigate a complex set of considerations that directly impact their health and finances.
Types of Medicare Plans Available in Kentucky
As with all other states, residents of Kentucky have access to four Medicare plan types.
Let’s go over them in detail.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
Original Medicare was signed into law in 1965 to provide affordable health insurance to the elderly. It continues to be the foundation upon which the entire Medicare program rests.
It is split into two components:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance): It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, some home health care, and hospice care.
Part A is premium-free for beneficiaries who have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Those not qualifying for free coverage must pay $285 or $518 per month.
- Part B (Medical Insurance): It covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, lab tests, and durable medical equipment.
Part B comes with an annual deductible of $257 in 2025 and a monthly premium is $185.
Despite this comprehensive coverage, Original Medicare does not pay for everything.
Apart from deductibles and monthly premiums, both Part A and Part B involve numerous out-of-pocket costs like copayments and coinsurance.
In Part A, for instance, you must pay a $1,676 deductible for every benefit period. In Part B, likewise, you are liable for 20% of the Medicare-approved cost for a service or item after meeting the annual deductible.
Data sourced from Medicare Basics.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Federally approved private insurers offer Medicare Advantage or Part C as an alternative to Original Medicare.
These plans provide all the benefits of Original Medicare with additional, optional coverage. For instance, you can have a Part C plan that covers the cost of prescription drugs or dental, vision, and hearing services.
Some insurers offer Medicare Advantage plans that even pay for gym memberships and wellness programs.
Learn more: Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare
Here are some key facts about Medicare Advantage plans in Kentucky:
- The state offers 110 Medicare Advantage plans in 2025, compared to 119 plans in 2024.
- The average monthly premium for these plans went up from $13.34 in 2024 to $15.15 in 2025.
- All Medicare enrollees in Kentucky have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan with $0 premiums.
Here’s a look at the top Medicare Advantage plans in Kentucky:
Carrier | Average CMS Star Rating (All Plans) | Availability | Monthly Premium | Annual Deductible | Maximum Out-of-Pocket |
United Healthcare | 3.93 | 49 stats and Washington, DC. | $0 | $0 | $6,700 |
Humana | 3.63 | 48 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. | $0 | $430 | $9,350 |
Aetna | 4.27 | 44 states and Washington, DC. | $0 | $0 | $6,900 |
NOTE: Data gathered via CMS.gov and direct provider plans. Plans compared for Kentucky Zip Code 40622. Star ratings and plan information reflect publicly available data as of 2025.
Top Medicare Advantage plan providers in Kentucky include:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Devoted Health
- Essence Healthcare
- Humana
Find the Right Medicare Coverage in Kentucky
CoverRight is a licensed insurance agent with a nuanced understanding of the Medicare landscape in Kentucky.
We excel at guiding clients to Medicare plans that best align with their unique healthcare needs and finances.
Keep the guesswork out of Medicare planning and start saving on your health insurance costs today.
Get started, and let CoverRight help you choose with confidence today.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
Part D is an optional Medicare plan designed to offset some of the costs associated with prescription drugs.
It can work as a stand-alone plan with Original Medicare or as a bundled benefit under a Medicare Advantage plan.
The cost of a Medicare Part D plan can vary depending on the provider and based on factors like the specific medicines you require, your income level, and your area of residence.
Besides the cost, there are two key considerations to picking a Part D plan.
- Plan Formulary
Each Part D plan comes with a distinct formulary – a list of covered drugs arranged in different cost-sharing tiers. That determines how much you’ll pay out of pocket for each drug you require.
- Pharmacy Networks
The cash benefits of each Part D plan are limited to a network of pharmacies. That means filling prescriptions outside the network can increase your copays. Make sure your preferred pharmacies are in-network with your chosen Part D plan.
For those struggling to meet prescription drug costs, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act brings in welcome relief by capping annual out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs at $2,000.
Here are some key facts about Part D plans in Kentucky in 2025:
- The state offers Medicare enrollees 16 stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans in 2025.
- 70.02% of those with stand-alone Part D coverage in 2025 have access to a plan with lower premiums than they paid in 2024.
- 29.5% of Kentucky residents enrolled in Part D receive additional financial assistance through the federal Extra Help program.
Learn more: Your Guide to Understanding the Cost of Medicare Part D.
Here’s a look at the top Medicare Part D plans in Kentucky:
Plan Name | Premium | Deductible | CMS Star Rating |
Anthem MediBlue Rx Plus | $87.10 | $465 | 3.5 |
Cigna Healthcare Assurance Rx | $87.60 | $590 | 2.5 |
Clear Spring Health Value Rx | $6.40 | $590 | 2 |
Humana Basic Rx Plan | $56.10 | $590 | 3.5 |
Wellcare Value Script | $0 | $590 | 3.5 |
Note: Data from MedicareWire.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans help cover some of Medicare’s cost ‘gaps, such as copayments, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs.
Kentucky offers 12 Medigap plans, including 10 standardized plans labeled A through N plus two high-deductible options for Plan F and Plan G.
As in most other states, Kentucky’s two most popular Medigap plans are Plan G and Plan N.
Let’s see how they compare:
- Plan G has relatively higher premiums that cover most out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare except the Part B deductible. It is ideal for enrollees who need frequent medical care and prefer predictable health insurance costs.
- Plan N has more out-of-pocket costs than Plan G in exchange for lower premiums, including cost-sharing for doctor visits and emergency room care. It doesn’t cover either the Part B deductible or excess charges. This plan is preferred by budget-conscious enrollees looking to balance costs with care.
Learn more: Medicare Part B Excess Charges: What Are They and Do You Need to Pay it?
In 2025, monthly premiums for Medigap Plan G in Kentucky range from $106 to $410. Premiums for high deductible Plan G start at $44.17 per month.
Plan N premiums can range from $85 to $200 per month.
Top Medigap providers in Kentucky include:
- AARP
- Aetna
- American Retirement
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Bankers Fidelity
Average Costs of Medicare Plans in Kentucky
Here’s a breakdown of the different Medicare plans in Kentucky:
Plan Type | Average Monthly Premium | Average Deductibles | What it Covers |
Original Medicare Part A | $0
($285 or $518 if you do not qualify for free premiums). |
$1,676 | Inpatient care, such as hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care. |
Original Medicare Part B | $185 | $257 | Outpatient care, preventative services, and medical equipment. |
Medicare Advantage | $15.15 | ($0 – $590) Varies by plan/region. |
All Original Medicare + extra benefits like vision, hearing, and dental care. |
Part D | $69.7 | $590 | Prescription drugs. |
Medigap Plan G and Plan N | $258 – $142.5 | N/A | Fills gaps in Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs. |
Note: All data reflect 2025 averages sourced from Medicare.gov, CMS.gov, and MedicareWire and may vary by provider.
Top Medicare Advantage and Medigap Providers in Kentucky
Let’s take a closer look at some of Kentucky’s top providers of Medicare Advantage and Medigap Plans.
Learn more: Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement
Best Medicare Advantage Providers
Medicare Advantage of Part C plans are an effective alternative to Original Medicare for those who want additional bundled benefits.
When comparing Medicare Advantage plans, look for the additional benefits they offer and the extent of coverage in your area of residence.
These plans can be tailored to your unique healthcare and lifestyle needs, depending on whether you need prescription drug coverage or dental, vision, and hearing services.
Learn more: Finding Medicare Providers
Best Medigap Providers
Evaluate Medigap providers in Kentucky based on the diversity of plan options they offer, their financial strength and history of rate stability, claims processing efficiency, and customer feedback.
Refer to independent agencies like AM Best for unbiased ratings of specific providers.
Here are the top providers of Medigap Plan G in Kentucky:
Carrier | Average Monthly Premium | Fee | AM Best Rating |
United World | $105.40 | None | A+ |
Thrivent | $98.98 | $25 | A++ |
MassMutual | $99.04 | None | A++ |
Perkin Insurance | $96.71 | $25 | A- |
AARP | $121.68 | None | A |
Globe Life | $133 | None | A+ |
Transamerica | $137.78 | None | A+ |
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield | $152.10 | None | A |
United American | $119 | None | A+ |
Everest | $98.90 | $25 | A+ |
The following are the top providers of Medigap Plan N in Kentucky:
Carrier | Average Monthly Premium | Fee | AM Best Rating |
United World | $88.54 | None | A+ |
Thrivent | $83.60 | $25 | A++ |
MassMutual | $85.49 | None | A++ |
Perkin Insurance | $80.54 | $25 | A- |
AARP | $95.60 | None | A |
Globe Life | $112 | None | A+ |
Transamerica | $118.05 | None | A+ |
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield | $138.09 | None | A+ |
United American | $151 | None | A+ |
Unified Life | $84.58 | $25 | B++ |
Note: Data from MedicareWire.
How to Choose the Right Medicare Plan in Kentucky
Begin by evaluating your healthcare needs and how they align with shortlisted plans.
The factors most important to this evaluation are:
- Whether your preferred doctors, specialists, and other healthcare providers are in-network with selected plans.
- The frequency at which you require medical care and if you need specialized treatment for chronic conditions.
- To what extent ongoing treatments and planned procedures are covered in the plans you’re considering.
The next step is a thorough review of coverage details, costs, and extra benefits offered by the various plans.
Make sure to prioritize the following considerations:
- The total annual cost of a plan, including copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket costs. Premiums alone do not provide the full picture.
- Your prescription medication requirements and what it is going to cost you in out-of-pocket copays under different Part D plans.
- The relevance of additional benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans, and whether they are worth paying for given your healthcare situation.
- Potential changes in your healthcare needs in the years ahead and what that means in terms of monthly premiums and annual costs.
Contact a Medicare counselor or a licensed insurance agent like CoverRight to understand your options and make informed decisions.
How to Enroll in a Medicare Plan in Kentucky
Eligible Kentucky residents who have been receiving Social Security benefits for at least four months are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) when they turn 65.
All others must sign up during one of four different Medicare enrollment periods, as applicable.
They include:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This seven-month long period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes your birth month, and lasts for three further months. This is when you can enroll in Original Medicare, Part C, and Part D prescription drug plans.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): You can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, enroll in a Part D plan, or switch Part D plans during the AEP, which runs from October 15 to December 7 of each year.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): The period from January 1 to March 31 of each year is when you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare and join a stand-alone Part D plan.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): SEPs are triggered by certain qualifying life events such as relocating to another state, losing employer coverage, or becoming eligible for Medicaid. They are the only opportunity to sign up for Medicare or make changes to coverage outside the regular enrolment periods.
Learn more: Medicare Special Enrollment Periods
Steps to Enroll
Enrolling in a Medicare plan in Kentucky is a two-step process.
- Get Your Paperwork Ready: That includes your Medicare card (if you’re already enrolled), Social Security card, proof of citizenship or legal residency, list of medications, and current healthcare providers.
- Choose How to Enroll: There are four ways of applying for Medicare enrollment in Kentucky:
- Online: Through the Social Security Administration or the Medicare websites.
- By Phone: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to enroll.
- In Person: By visiting your local SSA office. Find it through the SSA office locator.
- Through an Agent: Licensed insurance agencies like CoverRight offer personalized guidance and support throughout the Medicare enrollment process.
Additional Medicare Resources for Kentucky Residents
Like most other states, Kentucky offers its Medicare-eligible residents numerous additional resources to help them navigate Medicare by understanding their options and making informed decisions.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Provides unbiased information and counseling to Medicare enrollees, their families, and caregivers.
- Kentucky Medicare Savings Program: Offer partial financial assistance with Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs to low-income beneficiaries.
- Kentucky Department of Insurance: Provides assistance to consumers with questions or problems relating to Medicare.
Make Medicare simple in Kentucky.
At CoverRight, our specialists deeply understand the Medicare system and the Kentucky healthcare market. We’ll help guide you to coverage that fits your life and budget.
Sources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Medicare Open Enrollment Partner Resources. Published 2024. Available at: cms.gov. Last Accessed April 29, 2025.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Ratings Fact Sheet. Published October 2024. Available at: cms.gov. Last Accessed April 29, 2025.
- Medicare.gov
- Medigap Coverage Information: When to Buy. Available at: medicare.gov. Last Accessed April 28, 2025.
- Medicare.gov
- Medigap Overview. Available at: medicare.gov. Last Accessed May 10, 2025.
- Medicare.gov
- What Does Medicare Cost? Available at: medicare.gov. Last Accessed May 12, 2025.
- Medicare.gov
- When Does Medicare Coverage Start? Available at: medicare.gov. Last Accessed May 12, 2025.
- Medicare.gov
- What Does Medicare Cost? Available at: medicare.gov. Last Accessed May 13, 2025.
- Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)
- Key Facts About Medicare Part D Enrollment, Premiums, and Cost Sharing in 2025. Available at: kff.org. Last Accessed May 11, 2025.