How many Medicare beneficiaries are in Missouri?

Missouri has approximately 1.3M Medicare beneficiaries. Roughly 55% are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, with the balance on Original Medicare — often paired with a Medigap plan and a standalone Part D drug plan.

When is Missouri Medicare enrollment?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year, with changes effective January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs January 1 through March 31. New-to-Medicare beneficiaries use their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday.

Is Medigap available in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri has all federal Medigap letter plans (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, and high-deductible G and F for those eligible) available from multiple carriers. Medical underwriting typically applies outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window, so timing matters.

Missouri · Medicare · 2026 plan year

Missouri Medicare plans for 2026.

Q: What are the top Medicare Advantage carriers in Missouri?

Leading Medicare Advantage carriers in Missouri include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield MO, Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna, Cigna, Cox HealthPlans, SSM Health. Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Missouri has approximately 1.3M Medicare beneficiaries — about 55% on Medicare Advantage, the rest on Original Medicare. We compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield MO, Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna, Cigna, Cox HealthPlans, SSM Health.

Talk to a licensed Missouri Medicare advisor Medicare basics Browse plans yourself

1.3M

Missouri Medicare beneficiaries

~55%

on Medicare Advantage in MO

All 114

Missouri counties served

Carriers pay us — never you

Want to enroll yourself? Compare Missouri Medicare plans online.

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The core decision

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap in Missouri

For most Missourians, the choice between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Original Medicare plus a Medigap (Supplement) plan is the biggest decision you'll make.

Medicare Advantage in Missouri

Bundles Part A, Part B, and usually Part D into a private plan. Most Missouri metros offer competitive $0-premium plans with dental, vision, hearing, OTC, and transportation benefits.

Most Missouri MA plans are HMOs with local networks including BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, CoxHealth, University of Missouri Health. We verify your doctors before enrolling.

Medigap in Missouri

Pairs with Original Medicare and covers the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays Medicare doesn't pay. Any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare accepts Medigap — no networks.

Missouri Medigap premiums vary by ZIP and age, and carriers may medically underwrite outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window.

Carriers

Top Medicare carriers in Missouri

Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Missouri

Missouri's Blue plan. Statewide network covering BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, CoxHealth, and University of Missouri Health.

Humana & UnitedHealthcare

Both national carriers compete strongly in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia. UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medigap plans widely held by Missouri seniors.

Aetna & Cigna

Both have competitive Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in Missouri metros.

Cox HealthPlans & SSM Health

Cox HealthPlans (Cox Health system in SW Missouri) and SSM Health Plan offer integrated MA tied to their hospital networks.

Part D

Part D prescription coverage in Missouri

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, 2026 Part D caps out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 per year and eliminates the old "donut hole."

Every Missouri Medicare beneficiary needs prescription drug coverage (or creditable alternative coverage) to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty. Missouri has dozens of standalone Part D plans plus drug coverage bundled into most MA-PD plans.

Formulary check: The same medication can land in very different tiers across plans. We run your drug list against every Part D plan in your ZIP.
Preferred pharmacy: Many Missouri Part D plans offer lower copays at preferred pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Schnucks, Hy-Vee, Costco, Dierbergs). Which pharmacy you prefer can change which plan is cheapest.
Extra Help / LIS: Missouri beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy that significantly reduces drug costs.

Timing

Medicare enrollment dates for Missouri

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. Change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans; changes effective January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP): January 1 – March 31. One plan change allowed for members already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7 months around your 65th birthday — 3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
Medigap Open Enrollment: 6 months from your Part B effective date — the one-time window when Missouri Medigap carriers cannot deny you or charge more for health reasons.
Special Enrollment Periods: Moving into Missouri, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or moving into or out of a nursing facility may each trigger a SEP.

Common questions

Missouri Medicare FAQ

Are there Missouri-specific Medicare rules?

Medicare is federal, so core rules match nationwide. What varies in Missouri is plan availability, network depth, Medigap pricing, and carrier mix.

Can I switch from Advantage to Medigap later?

Sometimes. Outside your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment window, Missouri Medigap carriers can medically underwrite — which means they can decline you or charge more for health conditions. We walk through your specific options carefully.

What if my doctor is at a different network?

We verify every doctor and hospital you want to keep against each plan's network before recommending anything. Networks like BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, CoxHealth, University of Missouri Health are common in Missouri — but specifics vary plan by plan.

What does SilverEdge cost?

Nothing. Medicare carriers pay us a commission when you enroll. We earn the same regardless of which carrier you pick — our job is to find your best Missouri fit.

Coverage

Missouri counties we cover

All 114 Missouri counties + St. Louis City. A few of the counties where we have the most active members:

St. Louis County Jackson (Kansas City) St. Charles Greene (Springfield) Clay Jefferson Boone St. Louis City Cass Platte Buchanan Franklin Jasper Cape Girardeau Christian Lincoln Cole (Jefferson City) Newton Taney Lafayette + 95 more

★★★★★

$1,440 / yr saved

on Medicare Advantage · St. Louis, MO

"I had a plan that didn't include Mercy. SilverEdge found me a BCBS plan that did, with the same out-of-pocket max. Saved me $1,500/year on specialist visits."

Barbara L.

Network-driven MA switch · St. Louis, MO

Ready to compare Missouri Medicare plans?

Free, no pressure. Licensed in Missouri and all 50 states. We'll review your doctors, drugs, and budget — and walk you through the right Medicare combination for you.

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