Key takeaways
- Over one million Alabama residents are enrolled in Medicare, underscoring the program’s substantial presence within the state.
- Alabama Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans will see an average monthly premium decrease in 2026.
- In Alabama, you can choose Original Medicare (parts A and B) or Medicare Advantage. You also have access to Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).
Medicare is a national insurance program managed by the federal government for older Americans and people with certain disabilities or chronic health conditions. While Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is available nationwide, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Part D, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans vary by location.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in Alabama for the 2026 plan year:
- A total of 1,125,411 residents of Alabama are enrolled in Medicare.
- The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium is decreasing in 2026 to $10.62 from $15.76 in 2025.
- There are 98 Medicare Advantage plans available in Alabama for 2026, which increased from 93 plans in 2025.
- All Alabama residents with Medicare have access to buy a Medicare Advantage plan, including plans with $0 premiums.
- There are also 12 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans available in Alabama in 2026.
There are various options for Medicare in Alabama, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare consists of Part A and Part B.
- Medicare Part A covers hospital costs. This includes inpatient healthcare services you may receive while admitted to a hospital, as well as some limited care in a skilled nursing facility or at home.
- Medicare Part B covers general medical services. It includes coverage for medically necessary services and procedures provided by a regular doctor or specialist on an outpatient basis, including preventive care.
Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs. However, you can purchase a stand-alone Part D plan to help with these costs.
Most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A. You are responsible for deductible and coinsurance payments for each benefit period when receiving inpatient care.
Everyone with Medicare is responsible for the Part B monthly premium and annual deductible.
Medicare Advantage in Alabama
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans combine the components of Original Medicare with additional coverage, like prescription drugs, vision, and dental.
These plans are sold through and administered by Medicare-approved private insurance providers and are considered a full replacement for Original Medicare. You choose the insurance company and plan type that best suits your needs.
A number of private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, including:
- Aetna Medicare
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Cigna
- Humana
- UnitedHealthcare
- Viva Medicare
Not all of these Alabama Medicare Advantage plans are available in every county, so enter your specific ZIP code when searching for plans where you live.
Costs for Medicare Advantage plans can also vary by insurance company, plan, and location.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D helps cover the costs of prescription drugs. These plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.
If you have Original Medicare, you can purchase a stand-alone Part D plan from an insurance company in your area. Many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Each Part D plan has a list of both brand-name and generic prescriptions that it covers, known as a formulary. It is a good idea to check a plan’s formulary when choosing the right plan for you.
Costs for Part D plans vary by insurance company, plan, and location.
There are various insurance companies that provide Part D plans in Alabama, including:
- Humana
- Aetna
- WellCare
- UnitedHealthcare
Medicare supplement plans in Alabama
Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans help pay for costs associated with Original Medicare, such as:
- copays
- coinsurance
- deductibles
These plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. Medigap plans are standardized, which means they offer the same coverage regardless of which company sells them.
You can only purchase a Medigap plan if you have Original Medicare. You cannot have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap.
Many insurance companies offer Medigap plans in Alabama. In 2026, some of the companies offering Medigap plans in this state include:
- AARP – UnitedHealthcare
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Cigna
- Humana
- Mutual of Omaha (Omaha Insurance Company)
- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
Alabama offers various plan options. You can search for those sold in your area by entering your ZIP code into Medicare’s Medigap plan finder tool.
You may qualify for Medicare plans in Alabama if you:
- are age 65 or older
- are any age and have certain disabilities for which you’ve collected Social Security Disability Insurance for at least 24 months
- are any age and have end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
When can I enroll in Medicare plans in Alabama?
You can apply for Medicare online starting 3 months before you turn age 65. This is when your initial enrollment period begins. This period lasts 7 months, beginning 3 months before your 65th birthday, through your birthday month, and 3 months after.
Other enrollment periods include:
- Open enrollment: From October 15 through December 7, you may enroll in, drop out of, or change your Part C or Part D plan, or you may switch back to Original Medicare.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: From January 1 to March 31, you can only use this period if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare during this time.
- Special enrollment: For an approved reason, you may qualify for a special enrollment period of 8 months during which you may enroll in Medicare or switch your Part C, Part D, or Medigap plan.
Tips for enrolling in Medicare in Alabama
When choosing a Medicare plan in Alabama, you’ll want to be sure to consider the specifics of how each plan would affect you. Questions like these are important to keep in mind:
- What are the costs? Consider not only premium costs, but also how much you can expect to pay out of pocket when seeking care or filling prescriptions.
- What is the plan design like? If you’re considering a Medicare Advantage plan, keep in mind that in Alabama, these plans can be structured in different ways. Do you prefer to have a primary care physician overseeing your care, or would you prefer to go straight to network specialists on your own?
- Does the network make sense for your needs? Some networks are narrower than others. If you have a regular doctor with whom you already have a relationship, it’s important to verify whether they are part of the plan’s network.
The following resources can be useful in choosing a Medicare plan in Alabama:
Over 1 million people in Alabama are enrolled in Medicare.
Several private insurance companies offer various types of Medicare Advantage plans, as well as plans for individuals with disabilities and those who receive low-income subsidies, in Alabama.
Overall, monthly premium costs are set to decrease in 2026 for Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama.