Insider Tips & Advice
A clear understanding will always lead you to better choices.
Medicare Has 4 Seperate Parts
A
B
C
D
You're eligible for Parts A & B (Original Medicare) if:
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You're at least 65 years of age or qualify under disability or other special situations.
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You've been a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at least 5 consecutive years.
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You may add a Medigap policy (Medicare Supplement) & Part D (Prescription Drug), or opt for Part C (Medicare Advantage):
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After you enroll in Original Medicare Parts A & or B
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During your Open Enrollment Period or other qualifying enrollment periods.
Medicare Enrollment Periods
Initial Enrollment Period
During Your 65th Birthday
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Your IEP is 7 months, counting your 65th birthday month plus the 3 months before & the 3 months after.
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It begins & ends 1 month earlier if your birthday is on the first of the month.
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You may enroll in Part A, Part B or both.
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You may add a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap policy) & or a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)...
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or, you may choose to opt for a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).
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Prescription drug coverage must be creditable or you may be subject to a late-enrollment penalty when you enroll in a plan with Part D benefits.
Annual Enrollment Period
Oct. 15th - Dec. 7th
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During annual enrollment, you can add, drop or switch your Medicare coverage to any of the available plans that are currently offered.
Open Enrollment Period
Jan. 1st - Mar. 31st
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If you're a Medicare Advantage plan member you may disenroll from your current plan and switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan one time during this period. Or, return to Original Medicare & consider enrolling in a Medsup & a stand alone part d.
Special Enrollment Period
Jan. 1st - Dec. 31st
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Depending on certain circumstances, you may be able to enroll in a Medicare plan outside of any of the other enrollment periods.
Some ways you may qualify for the Special Enrollment Period are if you:
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Retire & lose your employer coverage.
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Move out of the plan's service area.
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Receive assistance from the state.
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Diagnosed with a qualifying disability or health condition.
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Qualifying for Extra Help.
Look Deep Into The Fine Details Of Your Medicare Profile.
Gain wisdom through the looking-glass of your Medicare Advisor's knowledge base. They're continuously examined, so they can be trusted to know all there is about Medicare. It's certainly helpful to have reliable resources, especially when making crucial decisions.
Enroll In Original Medicare
Original Medicare
Provided By The Federal Government​
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Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) & Part B (Medical Insurance.)
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It provides the freedom for you to use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.
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You can add supplemental coverage to help pay for your out-of-pocket costs left behind by Original Medicare (Like your 20% coinsurance & deductibles).
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If you want drug coverage, you can join a separate Part D plan.
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By opting for a Medicare Advantage Plan, Original Medicare will no longer pay your claims and your healthcare will be managed by the carrier of your choice.
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You can enroll in Parts A & B at age 65 unless you're already using your SS benefits, then you'll be automatically enrolled.
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If you're automatically enrolled, you'll get your red, white & blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday, or on the 25th month of your disability benefits.
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After you're enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A & B, there are 2 methods for additional coverage.
Decide If You Need Additional Coverage
Method 1
​Add a Medigap policy:
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Offered By Private Companies​
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Works together with your Original Medicare.
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It helps pay all or some of your out-of-pocket costs, depending on your plan choice.
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These policies pay after Original Medicare pays.
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Freedom of choice because these policies do not have networks.
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Choose any provider that accepts Medicare.
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No referrals required.
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By joining when first eligible you remove the risk of not being able to join at a later date.
& or add a Prescription Drug plan:
Medicare Part D Plan
Offered By Private Companies​
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A stand-alone prescription benefit that's separate than Original Medicare Parts A & B
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It helps pay for your prescription drugs.
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Part D is optional, however, if you want to enroll at a later date you may be subject to a late-enrollment penalty.
Method 2
Opt for a Medicare Advantage plan:
Medicare Advantage Plan
Offered By Private Companies​
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Your Medicare Advantage plan becomes the primary insurance.
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Original Medicare becomes dormant.
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Provides Hospital & Medical insurance.
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Typically includes prescription drug coverage.
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May offer additional benefits not provided by Original Medicare.​
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Must get referrals within the plan's network if you join an HMO Advantage plan.
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May include coverage outside the U.S. while traveling.
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Benefits change from year to year.
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Get all your benefits with one card.
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You have to choose a primary care physician if enrolling in an HMO Advantage plan.
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medigap Policies
Reasons to consider getting a Medigap policy:
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They provide greater freedom of choice in doctors & hospitals than Medicare Advantage Plans.
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You can enjoy peace of mind that your plan will continue to renew as long as you pay your premium.
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They're designed to support you by bridging the gaps in coverage for the extra costs of Original Medicare.
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Your Medigap policy pays for:
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Copayments
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Coinsurance
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Deductibles
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Foreign travel benefits (some plans)
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Your benefits will cover:
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Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs— up to an additional 365 days after your Medicare benefits are used.
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Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment. (some plans)
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Blood—the first 3 pints you receive.
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Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment.
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Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance.
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Your Part A deductible.
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Your Part B's excess charges. (some plans)
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Foreign travel emergency— up to your plan's limit. (some plans)
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Things to keep in mind about purchasing:
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The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
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This 7 month period begins on the first day of the month in which you're 65 or older, & have enrolled in Part B— some states have additional Open Enrollment Periods.
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Some states offer Medigap policies under age 65 due to disability during their Open Enrollment Period.
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After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy. This is because you'll be subject to answering health questions.
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If you delay enrolling in Part B because you have group health coverage based on yours or your spouse's current employment, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period won't start until you sign up for Part B.
Get Help Choosing The Coverage That Compliments You Most.
Make sure to have the info you need for decisions about your Medicare policy. Advisors can empower your decision-making with access to plan costs & essential details. Their goal is to help you compare & choose the providers & services that give you maximum value. They're compensated by whichever company you sign up with, which means there's never a fee for their services. You can call them anytime you'd like their help!
Take Advantage
of support & guidance that's available to you at no cost, every step of the way.
Discover How
You Can Always Get Help With Your Medicare Concerns!
Don't only seek advice & find help for significant events like turning age 65, retiring from your career, or an urgent matter. If you're ever struggling with your Medicare policy, Advisors are available throughout the whole year to help with everyday concerns. There's no question too big or too small.
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A clear understanding will always lead you to better choices.
