Medicare in Kentucky: 2026 Plans, Costs, and Enrollment Guide
- 115 Medicare Advantage plans from 11 carriers across all 120 Kentucky counties (CMS CY2026 Landscape)
- 31 Medigap carriers offering Plan G (TPP rate database, CY2026); attained-age pricing
- 10 standalone Part D plans in PDP Region 15 (IN/KY)
- Avg MA premium $10.25/mo; star rating 3.69/5.0
- LIS benchmark: $38.44/mo (Region 15)
Kentucky Medicare Snapshot
Kentucky has 115 Medicare Advantage plans from 11 carriers for 2026 (CMS CY2026 Landscape), with availability across all 120 Kentucky counties. Kentucky uses the standard federal Medigap plan letters with attained-age pricing and does not have a state Medigap Birthday Rule or Anniversary Rule.
The average consolidated MA premium is $10.25/month (CMS CY2026 Landscape). The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026. Humana — headquartered in Louisville — leads the Kentucky MA market (47 plans), followed by UnitedHealthcare (19) and Aetna Medicare (12).
| Metric | Kentucky 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MA plans available | 108 (11 carriers, all 120 counties) | CMS CY2026 Landscape |
| Avg consolidated MA premium | $10.25/mo | CMS CY2026 Landscape |
| Avg MA star rating | 3.69 / 5.0 | CMS CY2026 Landscape |
| Medigap carriers (Plan G) | 31 (attained-age, standard letters) | TPP internal data, CY2026 |
| HDG carriers | 24 (attained-age) | TPP internal data, CY2026 |
| Standalone Part D plans | 10 (5 carriers, PDP Region 15 — IN/KY) | CMS CY2026 Landscape |
| Part D LIS benchmark (Region 15) | $38.44/mo | CMS CY2026 Regional Rates & Benchmarks |
Plan Types Available in Kentucky
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
In Kentucky, 115 MA plans are available for 2026 from 11 carriers (CMS CY2026 Landscape). The largest plan-type categories are PPO (40), HMO-POS (20), HMO (11), HMO D-SNP (8), and HMO-POS D-SNP (6); additional MA plans fall outside the top categories.
Top carriers by plan count: Humana (47 plans), UnitedHealthcare (19 plans), and Aetna Medicare (12 plans). Humana's Louisville headquarters and longstanding Kentucky provider relationships contribute to its dominant in-state plan count. Average MA star rating is 3.69.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
Kentucky uses the standard federal Medigap plan letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N, plus HDG and HDF). 31 carriers offer Plan G in Kentucky in the TPP rate database (CY2026, non-tobacco, ages 65–85). Plans C, F, and High-Deductible Plan F (HDF) are closed to anyone who first became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020 (under MACRA 2015); beneficiaries who were Medicare-eligible before that date may still buy Plans C, F, or HDF from carriers that continue to offer them. High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is the post-2020 high-deductible Medigap option and is offered by 24 Kentucky carriers.
Kentucky Medigap rates use attained-age pricing — premiums increase as you age. Kentucky does not have a state Medigap Birthday Rule or Anniversary Rule. See our MA vs Medigap comparison →
Standalone Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)
Kentucky is in CMS PDP Region 15 (combined with Indiana). For 2026, there are 10 standalone PDP plans from 5 carriers in the region (CMS CY2026 Landscape).
Costs in Kentucky
Medicare Advantage Premiums
The average consolidated MA premium in Kentucky is $10.25/month (CMS 2026 Medicare MA & Part D Landscape State-by-State Fact Sheet) — many Kentucky MA plans carry a zero monthly premium. The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026.
Medigap Premiums — Plan G and HDG
Kentucky Medigap rates use attained-age pricing (premiums based on current age). Across the 31 Kentucky Plan G carriers (non-tobacco, ages 65–85), Plan G monthly premiums in 2026 range from approximately $140 to $603/month (TPP rate database, CY2026).
High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is offered by 24 Kentucky carriers; premiums range from approximately $127 to $548/month (TPP rate database, CY2026, non-tobacco, ages 65–85). HDG works well for beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at a lower monthly cost and can absorb the $2,950 annual deductible (2026 CMS high-deductible Medigap deductible).
Part D Costs and the LIS Benchmark
For 2026, Kentucky (PDP Region 15 — IN/KY) has 10 standalone PDP plans from 5 carriers (CMS CY2026 Landscape). The CMS Low Income Subsidy (LIS / Extra Help) benchmark premium for Region 15 is $38.44/month (CMS CY2026 Regional Rates and Benchmarks).
Kentucky-Specific Medicare Rules
No State Medigap Birthday Rule
Kentucky does not have a state Medigap Birthday Rule or Anniversary Rule. Outside of the federal 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period and qualifying federal guaranteed-issue events, most Medigap purchases in Kentucky are subject to medical underwriting at the carrier's discretion.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)
Kentucky offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services:
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part B premiums only.
- QI (Qualifying Individual): Also covers Part B premiums; subject to annual appropriations.
Apply through the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services or contact Kentucky SHIP (1-877-293-7447) for free enrollment assistance. MSP enrollment also automatically qualifies you for Extra Help / LIS on Part D. Learn more about MSPs →
Kentucky SHIP
Kentucky SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) is administered by the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living (within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services). Kentucky SHIP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling statewide through trained volunteers.
Phone: 1-877-293-7447
Website: chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/ship.aspx
Enrolling in Medicare in Kentucky
Standard Enrollment Periods
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday month. Enroll at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 each year.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31.
- Federal 6-month Medigap OEP: Starts when you are 65+ and enrolled in Part B; first-time Medigap guaranteed-issue.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Learn more →
Kentucky SHIP Counseling
Contact Kentucky SHIP at 1-877-293-7447 for free one-on-one Medicare guidance statewide.