Quest does accept Medicare, but the details depend on which Quest plan you choose and which state you live in.
Quest is a health insurance company that operates in multiple states and offers several types of plans. Some Quest plans work alongside Medicare as a supplement or replacement, while others do not involve Medicare at all. Before you sign up, you need to know which Quest products are Medicare-related and whether they are sold in your state.
The main Medicare-related Quest plans are Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans and Medigap (supplemental) plans. Quest also sells Medicaid plans in some states, which are separate from Medicare. If you are already on Medicare or turning 65 soon, you will want to focus on the Medicare Advantage and Medigap options.
Key Takeaways
- Quest offers Medicare Advantage plans in select states, which replace Original Medicare and include prescription drug coverage.
- Quest also sells Medigap plans that work with Original Medicare to cover costs Medicare does not pay.
- Availability varies by state and county, so you must check Quest's website or call 1-844-839-9633 to see if Quest Medicare plans are sold where you live.
- You can enroll in a Quest Medicare plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or if you are newly may be able to access for Medicare.
- Quest Medicaid plans are not Medicare plans and are for people who meet Medicaid income and asset limits, not Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare Advantage Plans Through Quest
Quest's Medicare Advantage plans are Part C plans that replace Original Medicare (Parts A and B). When you join a Quest Medicare Advantage plan, you use Quest's network of doctors and hospitals instead of any provider who accepts Medicare. Most Quest Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D) built in, so you do not need to buy a separate drug plan.
Medicare Advantage plans typically have lower monthly premiums than Medigap plans, but they come with copays and coinsurance when you use care. Quest Medicare Advantage plans may also include extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, such as dental, vision, or hearing services. The specific benefits and costs vary by plan and location.
Quest Medicare Advantage plans are only sold in certain states and counties. You can find out whether Quest offers Medicare Advantage where you live by visiting Quest's Medicare page or calling their customer service line. The enrollment period for Medicare Advantage is October 15 to December 7 each year, though you may be able to join outside this window if you are newly may be able to access for Medicare or have had a may have access to life event.
Medigap Supplemental Plans From Quest
Quest also sells Medigap (supplemental) plans that work alongside Original Medicare. If you have Original Medicare Parts A and B, a Medigap plan from Quest helps pay the costs that Medicare does not cover, such as copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. You keep your Medicare card and see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, which means Quest's Plan G, for example, covers the same things as Plan G from any other insurance company. The difference is usually in the monthly premium. Quest Medigap plans are available in some but not all states, and availability can vary by age and health status depending on state rules.
You can enroll in a Medigap plan from Quest during the same Annual Enrollment Period as Medicare Advantage (October 15 to December 7), or you may have a special enrollment window if you are newly may be able to access for Medicare. Some states allow you to enroll in Medigap at any time, while others have stricter rules.
How to Check if Quest Medicare Plans Are Available in Your State
Quest's Medicare plans are not sold everywhere. Availability depends on your state and sometimes on your specific county. The fastest way to find out is to call Quest's Medicare customer service line at 1-844-839-9633 and tell them your zip code. They can tell you which plans Quest offers in your area and what the monthly premiums are.
You can also visit the Medicare.gov Plan Finder tool, which shows all Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans sold in your area, including Quest plans if they are available. Enter your zip code and the tool will list every plan, the insurers that offer it, and the costs. This is a good way to compare Quest plans side by side with plans from other companies.
If Quest does not sell Medicare plans in your state, you can still look at other Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans from other insurers. Your state's Health Insurance Counseling and information Program (SHIP) can also help you understand your options at no cost. To find your local SHIP, search "SHIP" plus your state name online, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Quest Medicaid Plans Are Different From Medicare Plans
Quest also sells Medicaid plans in many states. Medicaid is a separate program from Medicare and is for people with lower incomes and limited assets. If you are under 65 and do not yet may have access to for Medicare, or if you may have access to for both Medicare and Medicaid (called "dual may be able to access"), you may be offered a Quest Medicaid plan or a dual-may be able to access plan.
Do not confuse Quest Medicaid plans with Quest Medicare plans. They are different programs with different rules, different networks, and different covered services. If you are on Medicare and someone mentions a Quest Medicaid plan to you, ask whether it is a Medicare plan, a Medicaid plan, or a plan that covers both. This will help you understand what coverage you are getting.
Enrollment Periods and How to Sign Up
The main time to enroll in a Quest Medicare plan is during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Any changes you make during this period take effect on January 1 of the following year. You can enroll by phone, online, or by mail.
If you are newly may be able to access for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you have a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period centered on your birthday month. You can enroll in a Quest Medicare plan during this window even outside the Annual Enrollment Period. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you may face a permanent penalty on your premiums, so it is important to enroll on time.
You can also switch to a Quest Medicare plan if you have a may have access to life event, such as losing other health coverage, moving to a new state, or getting married. Call Quest at 1-844-839-9633 or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to find out whether your situation qualifies for a special enrollment period.
What to Compare When Looking at Quest Medicare Plans
If Quest Medicare plans are available where you live, you will want to compare them with other plans before you choose. Look at the monthly premium, the annual deductible, the copays for doctor visits and hospital stays, and whether your current doctors are in the network. Check whether the plan covers the prescription drugs you take and what the drug copays are.
Also compare the extra benefits each plan offers. Some Quest Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing, or fitness benefits. Others may offer meal delivery or transportation to medical appointments. These extras can add real value, but they vary widely by plan.
Use the Medicare.gov Plan Finder to see side-by-side comparisons of all plans in your area, or call Quest directly at 1-844-839-9633 to ask questions about specific plans. You can also talk to a counselor at your state's SHIP program, who can help you understand your options without trying to sell you anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Original Medicare to a Quest Medicare Advantage plan in the middle of the year?
No, not usually. You can only switch during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) or if you have a may have access to life event, such as moving out of state or losing other coverage. If you miss the Annual Enrollment Period and do not have a may have access to event, you will have to wait until next October to make a change.
If I join a Quest Medicare Advantage plan, can I go back to Original Medicare later?
Yes. You can switch back to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period or if you have a may have access to life event. If you switch back to Original Medicare, you may also want to enroll in a Medigap plan to help cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay. Be aware that some Medigap insurers may charge higher premiums if you have not had continuous Medigap coverage.
Do Quest Medicare plans cover out-of-network doctors?
Most Quest Medicare Advantage plans require you to use doctors and hospitals in Quest's network. If you see an out-of-network provider, you will usually pay more or the plan may not cover the visit at all. Emergency care is typically covered even out of network. Check your specific plan's details to understand the out-of-network rules.
What happens to my Quest Medicare plan if I move to a different state?
Your Quest Medicare plan will end on the last day of the month you move. You will have a special enrollment period to join a new Medicare plan in your new state. Contact Quest and Medicare as soon as you know you are moving so they can help you find coverage in your new location.
Does Quest take Medicare if I am also on Medicaid?
Yes, if you are may be able to access for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual may be able to access), Quest may offer you a dual-may be able to access plan that covers both. These plans work differently than Medicare-only or Medicaid-only plans. Call Quest at 1-844-839-9633 or your state Medicaid office to find out what plans are available to you.