Nebraska residents age 65 or older or people of any age who have certain disabilities can qualify for Medicare. Nebraskans can choose between Original Medicare and various Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare is a national health insurance program that provides hospital insurance through Medicare Part A and outpatient medical care through Medicare Part B.

You can also enroll in Medicare Advantage for similar coverage with additional benefits. Medicare Advantage plans are sold and administered by private insurance companies. This coverage can replace or enhance the coverage offered through the government.

Keep reading to learn about Medicare coverage options in Nebraska for 2025 and when to enroll.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in Nebraska for the 2025 plan year:

  • A total of 380,220 residents of Nebraska are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium in Nebraska increased slightly compared to last year from $20.13 in 2024 to $23.19 in 2025.
  • There are 43 Medicare Advantage plans available in Nebraska for 2025, compared to 44 plans in 2024.
  • About 99.6% of Nebraska residents with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan and 98% have access to plans with $0 premiums.
  • There are 12 different Medigap plans offered in Nebraska for 2025.

Medicare is made up of different parts.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare, the coverage you get directly from the government, includes parts A and B.

  • Medicare Part A: Part A helps pay some of the costs of inpatient healthcare services you receive in a hospital, provides limited coverage for skilled nursing facility care and home health services, and covers hospice care.
  • Medicare Part B: Part B helps pay for general outpatient care and medical supplies you get when you see a doctor or specialist.

Original Medicare does not cover all the healthcare services you may need. You still pay out of pocket when you see a doctor in the form of copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. And there’s no coverage at all for:

  • most prescription drugs
  • long-term care
  • dental
  • vision services
  • hearing aids

However, you can purchase Medicare plans from private insurance companies that can add to or replace Original Medicare. Some of these plans may have a narrow network, so it’s important to make sure that your existing healthcare professionals are in-network or that you can find others in-network near your location.

Medicare Advantage in Nebraska

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer an “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare. These plans cover all the same benefits as Original Medicare, plus additional coverage like:

  • prescription drugs
  • dental
  • vision
  • other benefits

If Medicare Advantage sounds like a good option for you, various private insurance companies offer plans in the state of Nebraska. They include:

Medicare Advantage plan offerings vary by county, so enter your specific ZIP code when searching for plans where you live.

Medicare supplement plans in Nebraska

Medicare supplement plans, sometimes called Medigap plans, add coverage to Original Medicare. They help cover some of the costs of copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.

Many companies offer Medigap plans in Nebraska. In 2025, some of the companies offering Medigap plans throughout the state include:

We often think of Medicare as insurance for people age 65 or older, but you can enroll in Medicare if you are:

When can I enroll in Medicare Nebraska plans?

If your Medicare eligibility is based on age, your initial enrollment period begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and continues for 3 months after. It usually makes sense to enroll at least in Part A at this time, since you likely won’t need to pay anything for it, and Part A benefits will coordinate with any existing insurance coverage you have.

If you or your spouse continue working, and you still qualify for coverage through an employer-sponsored group health plan, you may elect to put off enrolling in Part B or any supplemental coverage at this time. In these circumstances, you’ll qualify for a special enrollment period later.

Additionally, there’s an open enrollment period each year from October 15 to December 7, during which you can apply for Medicare for the first time or switch plans. The general enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans runs from January 1 through March 31 each year.

Tips for Enrolling in Medicare in Nebraska

Which type of plan works best for you depends on your situation and preferences. It can be helpful to keep in mind questions such as the following:

  • What is the provider network like?
  • Does the network include physicians and hospitals that I might need that are convenient to me?
  • Will I need referrals if I need to see specialists?
  • How much will this plan cost me, both in premiums and at the point of service when I seek care?
  • Does the plan include coverage and programs that make sense for me?

These resources can be useful to help you learn more about Medicare Nebraska coverage options:

More than 380,000 Nebraska residents are enrolled in Medicare.

Several private insurance companies offer various types of Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans throughout the state.

Overall, monthly premium costs have slightly increased for 2025 Medicare Advantage plans in Nebraska.

There are also several Medigap plan options if you live in Nebraska and are looking for additional coverage.