The best way to find the right Medicare health plan is to work directly with a local licensed insurance agent. We’re all about giving you options. With those options comes information. Your local licensed insurance agent can provide you with educational content on the variety of topics that are important to you.
How do you pick the right plan? When is the enrollment period? Whatever questions you may have, you can count on us to provide you with answers that make sense. Our agents reach thousands of people in Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
Medicare Open Enrollment Period
Not all plans are created equal. And not all Medicare beneficiaries have the same needs either. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period takes place every fall. This is your opportunity to decide whether to keep or change your current Medicare, Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan. One of our licensed insurance agents can help you prepare for and explore the options that are right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Initial Enrollment Period?
A: The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) happens once, typically when you become Medicare eligible at age 64 and 9 months.
Q: When can I enroll in Medicare?
A: You are eligible for Medicare on your 65th birthday, but your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins sooner. You can enroll in Medicare anytime three months before your birthday month and three months after it, providing a seven month IEP window.
Q: Do I have to enroll in Medicare when I turn 65?
A: You don’t have to enroll in Medicare if you already have a health care plan but once you’re Medicare eligible, it’s a good idea to compare your current health insurance policy against a Medicare health plan. Sometimes the costs are lower and coverage the same or better than your employer’s coverage. It doesn’t matter if you are still working or haven’t yet received your Social Security income check.
Q: Who is eligible for Medicare?
A: Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People under age 65 with certain disabilities may also qualify and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant) qualify for Medicare.
Q: How do I find the right plan for me?
A: Our licensed insurance agents can explain every part of Medicare and show you all of the Medicare and prescription drug plans in your area and make recommendations as to what will be best for you. We offers these services at no cost, and most licensed insurance agents are available for an in-home appointment.
Q: When will my Medicare plan go into effect?
A: Once you complete your enrollment paperwork, generally your proposed effective date will be on the first of the following month. If you enroll during the open enrollment period, your plan will be effective on January 1 of the next year.
Q: What is Medicare Advantage?
A: Medicare Advantage is commonly known as Part C. It is a type of Medicare insurance that combines Part A and Part B into a plan that not only covers the out-of-pocket expenses, but may provide additional coverage such as vision, dental, wellness programs, chiropractors and many more.
Q: Are prescription drugs covered in Original Medicare?
A: With a few exceptions, most prescriptions aren’t covered in Original Medicare. However, the government has contracted with private insurance companies that can offer you this coverage at an additional cost. If you are entitled to Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Part B, you can purchase Part D as a standalone program to cover prescription drugs.
Q: How much does Medicare cost?
A: The price of Medicare depends on you the health plan that you choose. Medicare is not free and you will pay a premium, which is often deducted from your Social Security check, for Part B along with an annual deductible and a percentage, usually 20%, of the total bill. Purchasing supplemental insurance can help contain costs associated with deductibles, co-payments and prescription drugs. When meeting with a licensed insurance agent, make sure you understand any coverage rules that may affect your costs by asking them the following questions.
- How much your premiums, deductibles, and other costs will be?
- How you’ll pay for services like hospital stays or doctor visits?
- Is there a yearly limit on what you could pay out-of-pocket for medical services?
Q: What is the Open Enrollment Period and when does it start?
A: The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) happens every fall. During OEP you have the opportunity to change your health coverage and your health coverage provider without penalty. If a person is satisfied with their plan, they don’t need to do anything.
Q: Is the Open Enrollment Period the only time that I can change my health plan options?
A: In most cases, the fall Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is the only time you can pick a new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan, so be sure to review your options.
Q: Who are the doctors and specialists that contract with the plans you represent?
A: Because we work with such a large variety of medical groups, chances are your doctor is in a plan we have for you. Don’t have a doctor or specialist? We’ll help you find one close to home.
Q: Do you have a doctor that is close to my house?
A: The plans we offer include thousands of doctors in the states we serve. We can quickly find a doctor, specialist and Medical Group that’s in your community.
Q: Will my medications be covered?
A: Your local agent can help you choose a plan that offers the right medication coverage for you.
Q: Do you work with medical groups that speak languages other than English?
A: Yes. The medical groups we work with can assist with members who speak Spanish, Farsi, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, French, American Sign Language and more.
Q: What medical groups do you partner with?
A: We are currently partnered with many leading medical groups in your area.
Q: I have a pre-existing condition. Is there still a Medicare health plan option for me?
A: Yes. Within the plans that we offer, pre-existing conditions are covered. We may even have a solution for people with end-stage renal disease.