Trying to make sense out of your Medicare options?
Medicare Plans
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, persons with End-Stage Renal Disease and certain younger people with disabilities.
There are four main parts to the Medicare system:
- Part A (Hospital Coverage)
- Part B (Medical Coverage)
- Part C (Medicare Advantage)
- Part DÂ (Prescription Drug Coverage)
When Do I Signup for Medicare?
You need to sign up for Medicare about three months before you turn 65. You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part A has a deductible that changes each year.
Medicare Advantage Plans
In order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan you must be:
- Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
- Permanently reside in the service area
- Must not have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) unless:
- You have another health plan from the same organization within the same state, or you were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that was terminated or discontinued after December 31st, 1998 and this is your first election since that happened.
What are the 3 Enrollment Periods set by Medicare?
- Initial Enrollment period
A person first becomes eligible for Medicare, either because of turning 65 or qualifying for Medicare due to disability, or is late in enrolling in Part B and does so during the General Enrollment period from January 1st to March 31st for coverage to begin July 1.
- Open Enrollment Period
Open Enrollment is October 15th to December 7th– During this time, changes can be made to Prescription Drug Coverage, you may join a Prescription Drug Plan if not already enrolled, or change a Medicare Advantage Plan, either with a drug plan or a Medical only Medicare Advantage. - Special Enrollment Period
Certain qualifying events allow you to obtain coverage during a Special Election period, such as losing group health coverage, moving out of your current plans service area, qualifying for Medicaid or qualifying for extra help paying for your premium through a Low Income Subsidy.
Explore other Medicare Insurance options
Discover all Medicare options to help protect you.
