Medicare Has 4 Individual Parts

A

B

C

D

You're eligible for Parts A & B (Original Medicare) if: 

  • You're at least 65 years of age or qualify under disability or other special situations.

  • 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): 

  • After you enroll in Original Medicare Parts A & or B

  • During your Open Enrollment Period or other qualifying enrollment periods.

Medicare Enrollment Periods

Initial Enrollment Period · IEP

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.

  • It begins & ends 1 month earlier if your birthday is on the first of the month.

  • You may enroll in Part A, Part B or both.

  • You may add a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap policy) & or a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)...

  • or, you may choose to opt for a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).

  • 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.

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.

  • Move out of the plan's service area.

  • Receive assistance from the state.

  • Diagnosed with a qualifying disability or health condition.

  • Qualifying for Extra Help.

Want Someone To Guide You Through Your Medicare Journey?

Whether you're just now aging in or joined long ago, there are probably many questions you'd like answered. It's helpful to align yourself with a licensed advisor who can support & guide you through your Medicare journey. There's never a fee for their services, so you can call them anytime you need help.

Enrolling into 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.)

  • If you want drug coverage, you can join a separate Part D plan.

  • To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20% coinsurance), you can add supplemental coverage.

  • This allows you the freedom to use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.

  • By opting for a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will be disenrolled from Original Medicare.

  • You can enroll in Parts A & B at age 65 unless you're already using your SS benefits, then you'll be automatically enrolled.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • It helps pay some of your out-of-pocket costs.

& or add a Prescription Drug plan:

Medicare Part D Plan

Offered By Private Companies​

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  • Works together with your Medicare Parts A & B.

  • Helps pay for your prescription drugs.

Method 2

Opt for a Medicare Advantage plan:

Medicare Advantage Plan

Offered By Private Companies​

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  • Disenrolls you from Original Medicare.

  • Provides Hospital & Medical insurance. 

  • It usually includes some sort of prescription drug coverage.

  • May offer additional benefits not provided by Original Medicare.​

  • By opting in you may not be able to return to Original Medicare if desired later on.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medigap Policies

Reasons to consider getting a Medigap policy: 

  • They provide greater freedom of choice in doctors & hospitals than Medicare Advantage Plans.

  • You can enjoy peace of mind that your plan will not change or disappear as long as you pay your premium.

  • 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: 

  • Copayments

  • Coinsurance

  • Deductibles

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Your benefits will cover: 

  • Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs— up to an additional 365 days after your Medicare benefits are used.

  • Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment.

  • Blood—the first 3 pints you receive.

  • Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment.

  • Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance.

  • Your Part A & B deductible.

  • Your Part B's excess charges.

  • Foreign travel emergency— up to your plan's limit.

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Things to keep in mind about purchasing: 

  • The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

  • This 6 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.

  • After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy. If you're able to buy one, it may cost more.

  • If you delay enrolling in Part B because you have group health coverage based on your 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 you have the information you need to make the best decisions about your health care. Your advisor can empower your decision-making with access to plan cost & quality details, so you can compare & choose the providers & services that give you the most value. Click the button below to learn about the different ways an advisor can help shop for your health care.

Medicare Part A:

Hospital Insurance

Part A covers your inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility stays, some home health visits, & hospice care.

Medicare Part B:

Medical Insurance

Part B covers your physician visits, outpatient services, preventive services, & some home health visits you may have.

Medicare Part C:

Medicare Advantage

Part C refers to the Medicare Advantage Program which allows you to enroll in a private health plan.

Medicare Part D:

Prescription Drugs

Part D covers your outpatient prescription drugs through private plans that contract through Medicare.

Take Advantage

of support & guidance that's available to you every step of the way.

Read More

Don't Forget, You Can Always Get Help With Your Medicare Concerns!

Don't only seek advice & find help during significant events like turning age 65, retiring from your career, or an emergency. When dealing with your Medicare, advisors are available throughout the whole year to help with everyday questions & concerns.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Are Not The Same As Medicare Supplement Plans!

Always included:

All of Part A

Your Medicare Advantage Plan will include all the benefits of Part A. Including hospital stays, home health care & associated services.

Always included:

All of Part B

Your Medicare Advantage Plan will include all the benefits of Part B as well. Including doctor visits, outpatient care, screening & lab test.

Discover The Fine Details About

Your Medicare Profile.

It's truly helpful to have reliable resources, especially when making crucial decisions. Gain wisdom without having to do the work by taking advantage of your licensed advisor's knowledge base. They're tested every year, so they know all the ins & outs. 

Sometimes included:

Prescription Drugs

Your Medicare Advantage Plan may include prescription drugs, plus benefits such as dental, eye care, hearing care, wellness services & nurse helpline.

Always included:

Yearly Cost Limit

Your Medicare Advantage Plan will include a yearly limit on out·of·pocket costs for covered medical services. This limit may vary & can change each year.