Medicare in Indiana runs on federal rules, but the Indiana Department of Insurance helps provide free SHIP counseling and the state administers its Medicare Savings Programs through Indiana Medicaid. This guide covers Medicare in Indiana for 2026: every part, what each one costs, the plan choices available across the state, and the programs that reduce what you pay.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf,U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare: Parts A and B
- Medicare Advantage in Indiana (Part C)
- Medicare Part D: Prescription Drugs
- Medigap in Indiana
- Help Paying for Medicare in Indiana
- Medicare Enrollment Periods
- Free Medicare Help: Indiana SHIP
- Frequently Asked Questions
About these numbers: The premiums and deductibles below come from CMS for calendar year 2026, effective January 1. Medicare costs change every year, so check that CMS fact sheet or medicare.gov for the current year's figures.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles To talk through your own situation with a person, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048), staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except some federal holidays.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Contact Medicare — Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Jul 23, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone Indiana SHIP offers free one-on-one counseling for people with Medicare; its central office line is 1-800-452-4800.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
Original Medicare: Parts A and B
Original Medicare is the federal government's direct coverage program. Its mechanics and costs are the same in Indiana as in every other state.
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, limited skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Medicare.gov — Inpatient hospital care. medicare.gov. Retrieved Oct 11, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/inpatient-hospital-care
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $0 for most people (40+ quarters of work history) |
| Hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Hospital coinsurance, days 61-90 | $434 per day |
| Lifetime reserve days | $868 per day |
| SNF coinsurance, days 21-100 | $217 per day |
The hospital deductible applies per benefit period, not per year. A benefit period begins on the day you're admitted and ends once you have gone 60 days in a row without inpatient hospital care or skilled care in a skilled nursing facility; a new admission after that gap starts a fresh deductible.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
Part B (Medical Insurance)
Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, durable medical equipment, and mental health care.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Medicare.gov — What Part B covers. medicare.gov. Retrieved Oct 11, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/providers-services/original-medicare/part-b It does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Dental service coverage. medicare.gov. Retrieved Oct 3, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/dental-services
- Monthly premium: $202.90 (higher if your 2024 income was above $109,000 single or $218,000 married, under the income-related adjustment)Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- Annual deductible: $283
- After the deductible: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most services
Part B is optional but nearly everyone enrolls. If you delay past your enrollment window without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period or a Medicare Savings Program, you'll owe a permanent late penalty of 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but did not.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Avoid late enrollment penalties. medicare.gov. Retrieved Jul 15, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties If you are still working past 65 and covered by a current employer's group health plan, you can delay Part B without penalty and get an eight-month Special Enrollment Period counted from the month that job or the coverage ends, whichever comes first; COBRA and retiree coverage do not count as current-employer coverage, and if you are self-employed or your plan is not available to everyone at the company, ask your insurer whether it counts as employer group health plan coverage before you delay; if it does not, sign up at 65. This Special Enrollment Period does not apply if you are eligible for Medicare based on End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). When does Medicare coverage start?. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 9, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/when-does-medicare-coverage-start
Medicare Advantage in Indiana (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers and bundle Part A and Part B coverage, with most also including Part D drug benefits. They must cover all the medically necessary Part A and Part B services Original Medicare covers, except hospice, which Original Medicare continues to cover separately (along with some clinical-trial costs). Most plans also offer extra benefits Original Medicare doesn't, such as routine dental, vision, hearing, and fitness.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
Plan availability in Indiana is not uniform. Medicare Advantage comes in several types, including HMOs, PPOs, and Special Needs Plans, and the area where you live might have all, some, or none of them available.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). 12026 understanding medicare advantage plans. medicare.gov. Retrieved Sep 24, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/12026-understanding-medicare-advantage-plans.pdf Do not compare plans based on what a neighbor in a different county has; use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov, which compares the plans offered in your area side by side.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). medicare.gov — Your Yearly Medicare Review (CMS Product No. 11220). medicare.gov. Retrieved Oct 2, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11220-your-yearly-medicare-review.pdf
How These Plans Work
- You continue paying your Part B premium ($202.90) in addition to any plan premium. CMS estimates the average Medicare Advantage plan premium is about $14 a month in 2026, and many plans charge $0 extra. Some plans go further and help pay all or part of your Part B premium.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- Plans operate on networks (HMO or PPO). Verify that your doctors and hospitals are in-network before you enroll. Emergency care, out-of-area urgent care, and temporary out-of-area dialysis are covered whether you get them in the plan's network or outside it.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
- Plans may require prior authorization for certain services, which Original Medicare generally does not.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
- Extras vary by plan, and not every plan includes them. Compare the dental, vision, and hearing benefits themselves rather than the fact that a plan lists them, and check what the dental benefit actually pays before you count on it for major work like a crown or dentures. Plan Finder shows which plans offer extras, but its detail on those benefits is limited, so confirm the specifics with the plan.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). medicare.gov — Your Yearly Medicare Review (CMS Product No. 11220). medicare.gov. Retrieved Oct 2, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11220-your-yearly-medicare-review.pdf
- Every plan caps your annual in-network out-of-pocket spending, federally limited to $9,250 in 2026; many plans set the cap lower. Original Medicare has no yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket unless you have supplemental coverage, like Medigap, Medicaid, or employer, retiree, or union coverage.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
You cannot use a Medigap policy alongside a Medicare Advantage plan, but that isn't a permanent lock-out. If this is your first Medicare Advantage plan and you aren't happy with it, federal law gives you a trial right to buy a Medigap policy and a separate drug plan as long as you return to Original Medicare within 12 months of joining; if you dropped a Medigap policy to join, you may be able to get that same policy back if the company still sells it, or another policy sold by an Indiana insurer if it doesn't. Wait past that window and in most cases you may not be able to get the old policy back, and in some cases you may not be able to get any Medigap policy.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage If plan comparison feels complicated, an Indiana SHIP counselor can give you side-by-side policy comparisons at no charge.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
Medicare Part D: Prescription Drugs
Part D covers outpatient prescription drugs. You can get it as a standalone plan paired with Original Medicare or bundled into a Medicare Advantage plan.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions - CMS. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 22, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instruction.pdf
The Inflation Reduction Act eliminated the old coverage gap as of 2025, so the donut hole is gone. Part D now moves through three phases:
- Deductible: you pay full price until you meet your plan's deductible (up to $615 in 2026).Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). How much does Medicare drug coverage cost?. medicare.gov. Retrieved Jul 15, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d/basics/costs
- Initial coverage: you pay copays or coinsurance while your plan and drug makers cover the rest.
- Catastrophic: once your out-of-pocket spending reaches $2,100, you pay $0 for covered drugs for the rest of the year.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions - CMS. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 22, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instruction.pdf
The cap was $2,000 in 2025 and is $2,100 for 2026.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions - CMS. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 22, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instruction.pdf The average standalone Part D premium for 2026 runs roughly $34.50 a month, though plan premiums vary widely.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles Every Part D and Medicare Advantage drug plan must offer the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which lets you spread out-of-pocket drug costs into capped monthly payments across the year instead of paying in full at the pharmacy.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions - CMS. cms.gov. Retrieved Aug 22, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instruction.pdf People who qualify for Extra Help typically pay much less.
Not sure which Part D plan fits your prescriptions? Chat with Brevy's care navigator at brevy.com.
Medigap in Indiana
Medigap policies are sold by private insurers to cover the gaps in Original Medicare: the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. They work with Original Medicare, and a Medigap policy can't pay a Medicare Advantage plan's copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or premiums.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
Indiana offers the federally standardized plans, labeled A-D, F, G, and K-N, regulated by the Indiana Department of Insurance; every policy with the same letter offers the same basic benefits whichever insurer sells it.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Medigap Plan Benefits. medicare.gov. Retrieved Sep 28, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits Plans C and F can't be sold to people new to Medicare, which means you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020 and got Part A on or after that date. If you had Medicare before 65 because of a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) before 2020, or were eligible before 2020 but haven't enrolled yet, you may still be able to buy Plan C or Plan F.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Medigap Plan Benefits. medicare.gov. Retrieved Sep 28, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits Plan G covers the Part A deductible, Part A and Part B coinsurance, and skilled nursing coinsurance, and gives the same benefits as Plan F except the $283 Part B deductible, which stays with you.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare (CMS/NAIC, 2025) - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 22, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/02110-choosing-a-medigap-policy.pdf,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare (CMS/NAIC, 2026) - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 22, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/02110-medigap-guide-health-insurance.pdf,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
Your first window is the federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period: six months beginning when you're 65 and enrolled in Part B. During it, an insurer can't refuse to sell you any Medigap policy it offers or charge you more because of your health. It can still make you wait up to 6 months for coverage of a pre-existing condition, unless you had at least 6 months of continuous prior creditable coverage.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025). Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare (CMS/NAIC, 2025) - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 22, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/02110-choosing-a-medigap-policy.pdf Outside that window, you can still apply any time of year, but an insurer can accept or turn you down based on your health.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx
Indiana also has a Medigap birthday rule (HEA 1226, in effect since January 1, 2026, as amended by HEA 1260 for policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after March 15, 2026): if you are age 65 or older and already enrolled in Medigap, you can move the same plan letter to a different carrier with no medical underwriting during a window that runs from one month before to one month after your birthday each year. The new policy starts on the first day of the month after you sign the application.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx Separately, Indiana law SEA 215 (effective January 1, 2025) created a guaranteed-issue window into Medigap for people who become eligible for Medicare while under age 65.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx
Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
While you're in a Medicare Advantage plan it's illegal for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy unless you're switching back to Original Medicare. Medigap pairs only with Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans, especially HMOs, generally require you to use in-network providers except for emergency care, out-of-area urgent care, and temporary out-of-area dialysis; PPOs let you go out of network at a higher cost. For a side-by-side look at the trade-off, see our guide to Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage - Medicare.gov. medicare.gov. Retrieved Aug 8, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
Help Paying for Medicare in Indiana
If you're on a fixed income, two programs can cut your Medicare costs substantially.
Medicare Savings Programs
Indiana administers the Medicare Savings Programs through Indiana Medicaid, with applications processed by the Division of Family Resources. The income limits the state's SHIP program publishes for 2026 run higher than the federal standard, so you may qualify even if your income is above the national figure.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023
| Program | Federal name | Individual | Couple | What it pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | Qualified Medicare Beneficiary | Up to $2,015 | Up to $2,725 | Part B premium, Part A premium if you owe one, deductibles, coinsurance |
| SLMB | Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary | Up to $2,281 | Up to $3,086 | Part B premium |
| QI | Qualifying Individual | Up to $2,481 | Up to $3,356 | Part B premium |
Indiana's limits sit well above the federal baseline: the federal QMB limit is $1,350 a month for an individual and $1,824 for a couple.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023 Neither limit is measured against everything you have. SHIP's chart footnotes that "$65 plus half your income from active employment does NOT count toward total income," and that "some things you own do not count towards your asset limit, such as your home and furnishings, your car, burial plots, and at least $1,500 in life insurance."U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023 QMB is the most generous of the three: it can pay the Part B premium, the Part A premium if you owe one, the Part B and hospital deductibles, and copayments for services, and federal law bars providers from billing a QMB enrollee for that cost-sharing. SHIP footnotes that SLMB and QI only assist with Part B premiums.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023 QI has to be applied for again every year, because being selected one year does not carry you into the next.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023 For all three programs the 2026 asset limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple, and SHIP is blunt about what all of these figures are worth: "These limits are guidelines. The only way to know for sure if you are eligible is to apply."U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023
Enrolling in QMB, SLMB, or QI automatically qualifies you for Extra Help with Part D.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023 Here is how to apply in Indiana:
Gather your paperwork
Have your Medicare card and recent proof of income and assets ready, such as a Social Security award letter, pension or wage statements, and current bank balances.
File with the Division of Family Resources
SHIP tells Indiana residents to visit or call their local Office of Family and Children to apply for Medicare Buy-In, complete a form and an interview, and expect a decision in the mail within 45 days. A denial can be appealed within 30 days.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023
Or let a counselor help
Indiana SHIP counselors can assist with low-income assistance applications, and all SHIP services are free. Call 1-800-452-4800 to find an Enrollment Center site near you.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
Confirm this year's limits first
The figures above are from Indiana's 2026 chart, so check for a current-year chart before you rely on them.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023
Extra Help for Part D
Extra Help, also called the Low-Income Subsidy, helps pay Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays for people with limited income and resources. Your plan deductible drops to $0, and the premium is covered up to a regional benchmark, so if you pick a pricier plan you pay the difference. Since 2024 the partial-subsidy tier is gone; everyone who qualifies now receives the full subsidy.U.S. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). SSA POMS HI 03030.025 - Resource Limits for Subsidy Eligibility. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 22, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0603030025
- Income limit (2026): about $1,995 a month for one person and $2,705 for a married couple in the 48 contiguous states and DC (Alaska and Hawaii are higher). The limit rises if family members you support live with you, and Social Security doesn't count some income, so apply rather than ruling yourself out on these figuresU.S. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). SSA POMS HI 03030.025 - Resource Limits for Subsidy Eligibility. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 22, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0603030025
- Resource limits: $18,090 for an individual and $36,100 for a married couple living together. The lower $16,590 and $33,100 apply only if you tell Social Security none of your resources will go toward funeral or burial expenses. Your home, car, and household goods don't countU.S. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). SSA POMS HI 03030.025 - Resource Limits for Subsidy Eligibility. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 22, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0603030025
- If you already qualify for QMB, SLMB, or QI, you're enrolled in Extra Help automaticallyU.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023
- QDWI, the Medicare Savings Program for people who lost premium-free Part A after returning to work, pays the Part A premium but does not carry Extra Help with it, so a QDWI enrollee has to apply to Social Security for Extra Help separatelyU.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Aug 7, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023,U.S. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). SSA POMS HI 03030.025 - Resource Limits for Subsidy Eligibility. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 22, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0603030025
Apply through Social Security at ssa.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). How do I sign up for Medicare?. medicare.gov. Retrieved Jul 15, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/how-do-i-sign-up-for-medicare Extra Help isn't available in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa; residents there can call their Medicaid office about other programs available in those areas.U.S. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). SSA POMS HI 03030.025 - Resource Limits for Subsidy Eligibility. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 22, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0603030025
Medicare Enrollment Periods
Miss a deadline and you can face coverage gaps or permanent penalties. These dates are federal and identical in Indiana and every other state.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Open Enrollment. medicare.gov. Retrieved Sep 2, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment
| Period | Dates | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment | 7 months around your 65th birthday | Sign up for Parts A, B, and D; pick MA or Medigap |
| Annual Open Enrollment | Oct 15 - Dec 7 | Switch MA plans, move between MA and Original Medicare, change Part D |
| MA Open Enrollment | Jan 1 - Mar 31 | Make one change: switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare (if already in MA) |
| General Enrollment | Jan 1 - Mar 31 | Sign up for Part B if you missed your initial window |
| Medigap Open Enrollment | 6 months from age 65 + Part B | Buy any Medigap policy an insurer offers, with no medical underwriting |
Changes made during Annual Open Enrollment take effect January 1. If you're already getting Social Security (or Railroad Retirement Board) benefits at least 4 months before you turn 65, you're enrolled in Parts A and B automatically; otherwise, sign up through the Social Security Administration.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Open Enrollment. medicare.gov. Retrieved Sep 2, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment
For a full breakdown of windows and late-penalty rules, see our guide to Medicare enrollment periods.
Free Medicare Help: Indiana SHIP
You don't have to work through this alone, and you don't have to pay a broker. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free and impartial counseling program for people with Medicare, provided in Indiana by the federal Administration for Community Living and the Indiana Department of Insurance. SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company or agency and does not sell insurance.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf Its volunteers complete an initial training and must not be employed by, or in a position to sell, any insurance product, agency, company or service.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
An Indiana SHIP counselor can help you:
- Analyze your insurance needs and compare policies side by sideAdministration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
- Answer questions on Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicaid, and help paying for prescriptionsAdministration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
- Fill out applications for assistance, including low-income assistance applicationsAdministration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
- File claims and appealsAdministration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
Call SHIP's central office line at 1-800-452-4800.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf Trained SHIP volunteers assist through an 800 help line, virtually, or at local sites in most Indiana counties.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Medicare cost in Indiana in 2026?
Most people pay $0 for Part A. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month with a $283 annual deductible.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles Part D premiums vary by plan (the 2026 average runs roughly $34.50 a month), and many Medicare Advantage plans charge no extra premium. Your total depends on the plan you choose and the care you use.
Does Indiana have a birthday rule for Medigap?
Yes. Since January 1, 2026 (HEA 1226, as amended by HEA 1260), Indiana has a birthday rule: if you are age 65 or older and already enrolled in Medigap, you can move the same plan letter to a different carrier with no medical underwriting during a window from one month before to one month after your birthday each year. It does not let you change plan letters or newly enroll.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx See our Indiana Medigap birthday rule guide for details.
Who runs the Medicare Savings Programs in Indiana?
Indiana Medicaid runs the three MSPs: QMB, SLMB, and QI. The 2026 income limits Indiana's SHIP chart publishes are higher than the federal standard, and the asset limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple, with your home and furnishings, your car, burial plots and at least $1,500 in life insurance excluded from the count.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023 These limits are guidelines, so apply even if you're a little over. Applications go through the Division of Family Resources at your local Office of Family and Children.U.S. Social Security Administration. (2026). SSA - POMS: HI 00815.023 - Medicare Savings Programs Income and Resource Limits - 02/26/2026. secure.ssa.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600815023 An Indiana SHIP counselor can help you with the application.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
Who provides free Medicare counseling in Indiana?
Indiana SHIP, provided by the federal Administration for Community Living and the Indiana Department of Insurance, is a free and impartial counseling program for people with Medicare.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf Its trained volunteers offer one-on-one health insurance counseling.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf Call SHIP's central office line at 1-800-452-4800.Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Local Help Navigating Medicare (SHIP overview flyer) — U.S. Administration for Community Living. acl.gov. Retrieved Sep 27, 2026, from https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2022-06/SHIP_OverviewFlyer_Final.pdf
Is Medicare Advantage available across Indiana?
What you can join depends on where you live. Medicare Advantage comes in several plan types, and your area might have all, some, or none of them available.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). 12026 understanding medicare advantage plans. medicare.gov. Retrieved Sep 24, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/12026-understanding-medicare-advantage-plans.pdf Use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov to compare the plans offered in your area side by side.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). medicare.gov — Your Yearly Medicare Review (CMS Product No. 11220). medicare.gov. Retrieved Oct 2, 2026, from https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11220-your-yearly-medicare-review.pdf
Learn More
Find personalized help comparing your Medicare plan options in Indiana at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.
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