New to Medicare?
Medicare Eligibility
Age, Disability, General Qualifications
- Who Can Enroll in Medicare?
- Am I signed up Automatically?
- Who has to sign up?
- Where can I find if I’m eligible?
Enrolling in Medicare
How and When to Enroll
You can only enroll in Medicare during three important timeframes: The Initial Enrollment Period, the Special Enrollment Period, and the General Enrollment Period. To find out more about How and When to Enroll.
Factors to Consider
Important Information/Factors
Will your Medicare plan allow you to keep your Personal Care Physician? What about prescription drugs? Making informed Medicare decisions is a complex task, be sure to consider these important questions and factors before doing so.
Medicare ABCs
Basics
- What is Medicare?
- Cost basics
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for eligible beneficiaries 65 and older, and beneficiaries with a qualifying medical disability. There are four parts to Medicare (Parts A-D) that cover Hospital and Inpatient care, Doctor Visits, and outpatient care, private insurance companies that have contracts with Medicare to provide Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug coverage. Most will only need to pay the 2024 Part B Premium of $174.70 per month for 2024.
Medicare Part A
Hospital Stays/Inpatient Care
Medicare Part A covers hospital, skilled nursing, home health, and hospice care. Medicare Part A covers these services but not fully, and not all services. The standard Part A Deductible for 2024 is $1,632.
Medicare Part B
Doctor Visits/Outpatient Care
Medicare Part B helps cover physician services, outpatient services, durable medical equipment, and other outpatient services. The standard premium for Medicare Part B in 2024 is $174.70.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Part C refers to Medicare Advantage plans. These plans incorporate your Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and often Medicare Part D Prescription Drug coverage – into one plan. Medicare pays a private insurance company to provide your healthcare coverage with a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans must, at minimum, provide the same level of coverage as Original Medicare and may include a monthly plan premium. Medicare Advantage plans often include additional benefits not offered by Original Medicare.
Medicare Part D
Prescription Drugs
Medicare Part D refers to Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. There are important restrictions and limitations that affect prescription drug coverage on a plan-by-plan basis. People with Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement will need to purchase a Medicare Part D Prescription plan separately. For people joining a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare Prescription plan is often included with the Medicare Advantage coverage. You should note that if you decide to enroll late for Part D Prescription Drug coverage, a penalty may be assessed.
Medigap
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement policies, also called ‘Medigap’ policies, help cover costs Original Medicare (Part A + Part B) don’t cover, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Supplement plans require an additional monthly premium in addition to Part A and/or Part B premiums, and are generally more flexible for out-of-network coverage restrictions carried by MA plans. Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs – individuals in need of additional drug coverage would also need to enroll in a Part D drug coverage plan. Medigap policies are popular plans for individuals who travel frequently.
Compare Options
Important Dates
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP/ICEP)
This is the time frame most people sign up for Medicare. A seven-month period, starting three months before the month in which you turn 65 and ending three months after that month (assumes you do not delay in Part B benefits).
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 – December 7
Beneficiaries may switch plans or add or delete Part D drug coverage- New plans will be effective January 1 of the following year. Guidelines apply.
Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
January 1 – March 31
Medicare Advantage (MA) plan enrollees may enroll in another MA plan or disenroll from their MA plan and return to Original Medicare. Individuals may make only one election during period.
Special Election Period (SEP)
Special enrollment periods may apply for change of residence, loss of group coverage, or if your plan withdraws from the market for the upcoming year.
Medicare Resources
Medicare Resources
Medicare Administration
Click here to get all the information you would need about official Medicare information, publications, apps, and more. Medicare is always reachable by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY users call 1-877-486-2048), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Get Help Paying
Trouble paying your Medicare expenses? Are your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug costs unaffordable? Click here for resources for helping pay your healthcare costs, including various programs such as Medicare’s “Extra Help,” Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, PACE, SSI, and more.
