Medicare Plans in Missouri

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Missouri?

To enroll in Original Medicare, do one of the following:

  • Submit an online application.
  • Apply in person at a Social Security office.
  • Call 800-772-1213 to speak with a Social Security employee.

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

What Missouri Medicare Plans Are Available? 

Missourians qualify for Medicare Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and private Medigap plans that are referred to as Medicare Supplement plans. Much of your coverage is already paid for by the government, but you are still responsible for a portion of your premiums and copayments.

Knowing what you will be responsible for can help you make needed financial plans for your health care. Your Medicare options include the following. 

  • Medicare Part A: Considered a part of traditional Medicare, Part A covers costs if you need to visit the hospital or require home health care, nursing or hospice care. 
     
  • Medicare Part B: Also a part of traditional Medicare, Part B covers your preventative care. This would include your routine medical appointments, transportation services, medical devices, supplies and any tests that your doctor requires for medical diagnoses.  

  • Medicare Advantage: In 2006, Congress approved a new law that allows Medicare beneficiaries to opt into insurance plans provided by private companies in place of traditional benefits. The law requires these Medicare Advantage plans to provide all of the coverage traditional Medicare provides. The key difference is that you may choose a plan that includes services not covered by Part A or Part B, such as drug coverage, vision or dental. 

  • Medicare Part D: This is the traditional Medicare prescription drug plan. You may opt in to Part D regardless of whether you choose Medicare Advantage. One reason for doing so is if your Medicare Advantage plan does not offer prescription drug coverage. 

  • Medicare Supplement plans: The purpose of these plans is to cover the cost of medical care that you are responsible for beyond your Medicare plan’s portion of payment for services. For example, after you have satisfied your deductible for the year, you may be required to pay 20% of the cost of medical treatment. A Medicare Supplement plan (also referred to as a Medigap plan) covers the difference. 

Whether a plan is best for you will depend on factors such as your health conditions, what type of coverage is more important to you and your ability to afford health care.

If you believe you will struggle with your copays, you may want to consider a Medigap policy

Who Is Eligible for Missouri Medicare? 

If you have recently turned 65 or are coming up on your birthday, you are probably eligible to receive Medicare coverage. Most people are automatically enrolled in traditional Medicare as long as they begin collecting Social Security 4 months before their birthday. If you did not contribute to Social Security for at least ten years during your life or have not started receiving your Social Security benefits, you will need to enroll manually. Failure to enroll soon enough could result in costly penalties, so make sure to do it during your initial enrollment period. 

Part A and B

Medicare Part A doesn't require monthly premiums if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years).

Medicare Part B comes with a standard monthly premium of $174.90 in 2024, though people with higher incomes could pay more. You may not need to send a payment for your Part B premium if you're eligible for it to be deducted from your pension or Social Security checks each month. 

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans allow you to choose the terms of your coverage, and while each plan will vary in cost, a portion of it is covered by the government.

You could theoretically pay very little or nothing for a Medicare Advantage plan each month, but if you opt for additional coverage, you may need to pay a higher premium.

Medicare Part D may also vary in cost depending on the level of prescription coverage you seek.  

Enroll

As long as you enroll in Medicare during your initial enrollment period, you will not be penalized. This period begins 3 months prior to your birthday and you have another 3 months afterward to enroll. Should you miss this deadline, general enrollment is available from the beginning of the year until the end of March.  

If you missed your initial enrollment due to service overseas, being on your employer’s health plan past the age of 65 or because you or a family member suffers from a disability, you may enroll during a special enrollment period and receive coverage without penalty. You will want to act quickly if you are considering enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan. These plans are offered by private insurers, but you may not be denied coverage or charged more due to your health or age so long as you apply within 6 months of your birthday. 

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Missouri? 

Enrolling in Medicare is a simple and straightforward process. You can visit Medicare.gov to check the status of your enrollment, select a different plan or apply for enrollment. Simply follow the directions on the website and you can complete this process from the comfort of home. Medicare Supplement plans are not administered through Medicare, so you will need to work through a private insurer to enroll for Medigap coverage. 

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri
Average Monthly Premium $38.71
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit $5,405.61
Average drug deductible in 2024 (weighted) $383.94
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher 58.5%
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri
Average Monthly Premium
$38.71
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit
$5,405.61
Average drug deductible in 2021 (weighted)
$383.94
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher
58.5%

Missouri Medicare Advantage Plans by County

The chart below provides more information about Medicare Advantage plan costs and enrollment in Missouri by county in 2024.

Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
County Average Premium Average Annual Drug Deductible % of Plans Rates 4 Stars or Higher # of Plans Available
Lincoln $42 $346 58.7% 46
Osage $43 $346 54.8% 42
Howard $46 $327 67.6% 34
Cooper $36 $366 54.8% 42
Randolph $52 $423 56.0% 25
Camden $37 $418 52.5% 40
Callaway $37 $366 54.8% 42
Schuyler $40 $423 52.4% 21
Morgan $38 $370 51.4% 37
Lewis $40 $398 56.0% 25
Scotland $53 $423 54.5% 22
Boone $35 $382 57.8% 45
Cole $36 $382 55.8% 43
Clark $40 $423 52.4% 21
Moniteau $36 $346 53.7% 41
Miller $35 $366 57.1% 42
Marion $40 $398 60.0% 25
Shelby $37 $348 64.5% 31
Maries $43 $346 56.1% 41
Ralls $40 $398 58.3% 24
Audrain $36 $346 54.8% 42
Adair $40 $423 56.5% 23
Montgomery $37 $366 54.8% 42
Monroe $40 $368 54.2% 24
Pike $37 $354 69.4% 36
Knox $45 $348 65.6% 32
Macon $51 $447 57.7% 26
Laclede $35 $376 56.8% 44
Lawrence $35 $376 57.8% 45
Webster $41 $357 58.7% 46
Ozark $35 $402 56.8% 44
Dade $35 $376 56.8% 44
Wright $35 $376 56.8% 44
Mcdonald $30 $376 57.1% 42
Saint Clair $34 $402 63.9% 36
Jasper $32 $410 60.4% 48
Newton $33 $410 58.7% 46
Greene $34 $391 60.4% 48
Barton $32 $394 54.8% 42
Stone $34 $376 58.7% 46
Cedar $34 $402 57.8% 45
Polk $34 $376 58.7% 46
Douglas $35 $376 56.8% 44
Taney $35 $376 57.8% 45
Christian $35 $391 59.6% 47
Barry $34 $376 58.7% 46
Dallas $35 $376 57.8% 45
Hickory $34 $402 58.1% 43
Henry $39 $389 55.3% 38
Vernon $36 $389 63.9% 36
Bates $49 $370 55.3% 38
Jefferson $35 $382 51.9% 54
Warren $37 $346 46.9% 49
Ray $37 $370 57.5% 40
Saint Louis $35 $382 51.9% 54
Jackson $41 $405 63.8% 47
Johnson $37 $370 57.5% 40
Clinton $47 $394 52.8% 36
Crawford $37 $366 48.0% 50
Lafayette $45 $370 58.5% 41
Franklin $35 $384 48.0% 50
Washington $35 $346 49.0% 51
Platte $45 $389 60.5% 43
Clay $44 $405 61.4% 44
Cass $45 $370 59.5% 42
Gasconade $35 $346 54.8% 42
Saint Charles $35 $382 51.9% 54
Saint Louis City $37 $382 50.0% 52
Carroll $41 $384 71.0% 31
Saline $56 $357 80.8% 26
Benton $37 $418 62.9% 35
Caldwell $55 $388 67.9% 28
Livingston $42 $388 76.2% 21
Pettis $45 $357 80.0% 25
Perry $38 $354 68.6% 35
Sainte Genevieve $37 $374 54.8% 42
Saint Francois $39 $354 69.4% 36
Shannon $35 $431 47.2% 36
Texas $44 $431 50.0% 38
Dent $34 $431 54.8% 42
Oregon $37 $403 52.6% 38
Phelps $35 $439 53.8% 39
Pulaski $35 $402 59.1% 44
Howell $36 $386 52.5% 40
Iron $34 $431 50.0% 38
Reynolds $35 $446 50.0% 38
Stoddard $38 $376 62.1% 29
Mercer $42 $414 77.3% 22
Atchison $39 $414 78.3% 23
Dekalb $42 $414 65.4% 26
Butler $51 $376 62.1% 29
Chariton $38 $447 57.7% 26
Holt $42 $414 65.4% 26
Pemiscot $38 $376 63.0% 27
Mississippi $41 $376 59.3% 27
Carter $41 $414 64.3% 28
Grundy $42 $414 77.3% 22
Bollinger $43 $354 62.1% 29
Linn $54 $423 58.3% 24
Andrew $53 $414 66.7% 27
Daviess $55 $388 77.3% 22
Ripley $49 $388 62.1% 29
Dunklin $57 $423 52.4% 21
Wayne $41 $348 59.3% 27
Putnam $41 $423 52.4% 21
Buchanan $41 $414 75.0% 20
Madison $38 $348 62.1% 29
Scott $41 $348 54.5% 22
Cape Girardeau $41 $348 54.5% 22
Gentry $42 $388 76.2% 21
Harrison $42 $388 72.2% 18
Nodaway $38 $388 77.3% 22
Worth $42 $388 76.2% 21
New Madrid $37 $348 61.5% 26
Sullivan $41 $423 52.4% 21

Contact Information for Missouri Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Help

If you would like further assistance with your Medicare enrollment or have questions regarding aid and assistance, you can visit any of the following resources. 

CLAIM, State Health Insurance Assistance Program 

Missouri Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment 

Missouri CLAIM 

The Missouri Rx (MoRx) Plan 

Missouri Department of Insurance