5 Things New Enrollees Need To Know About Medicare

The more you know about Medicare when you first enter the program, the better off you’ll be. Being knowledgeable and well-prepared can be key to making the most of your benefits.

But there’s a lot to know about Medicare, and it’s helpful to have some of the basics nailed down right from the get-go. Here are five things every new enrollee should know about Medicare.

Call 844-919-3456 to speak with a licensed insurance agent about your enrollment options or visit MedicareAdvantage.com today to start comparing plans online in 3 simple steps. We make it easy to view different plans side by side and apply online right over your phone, tablet or computer.

Are you already enrolled in Medicare with a Medicare Advantage plan? The Medicare Annual Enrollment period is currently happening. That means you have until December 7th to make changes to your Medicare Advantage coverage for next year! Visit MedicareAdvantage.com or call 844-919-3456 to learn more before the window closes on December 7th.

1. You may – or may not – be automatically enrolled

If you have already begun collecting retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board at least four months before you turn 65 years old and qualify for Medicare, you typically will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and will receive your membership card and a packet of information in the mail sometime around your 65th birthday.

However, if you are not yet collecting these retirement benefits by this time, you might not be automatically enrolled and will have to manually sign up for Medicare. You can enroll online, over the phone or in person at your local Social Security office.

2. Your Medicare premiums can vary

Your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums can vary based on a variety of factors, including:

• Your history of paying Medicare taxes
• Your income
• Late enrollment fees

Private Medicare plans such as Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans Medicare Part D prescription drug plans feature premiums that can vary based on:

• The plan you choose
• Where you live
• Any Original Medicare late enrollment penalties

Visit MedicareAdvantage.com to compare plans online today or call 844-919-3456
to get help from a licensed insurance agent who can help you compare premiums for plans available near you.

3. There are different parts of Medicare

Medicare is made up of several parts, including Medicare Part A and Part B make up Original Medicare, which is the publicly-funded portion of Medicare:

• Medicare Part A provides coverage for inpatient care at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other inpatient settings.
• Medicare Part B provides coverage for outpatient care such as doctor’s appointments and outpatient physical therapy. Part B also includes coverage for durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers.
• Medicare Advantage plans, or Medicare Part C, offer a way to get all of your Original Medicare coverage through a single plan offered by a private insurance company. Part C plans can also offer benefits Original Medicare doesn’t cover. You can easily compare Medicare Advantage plans side by side and apply online over at MedicareAdantage.com.

• Medicare Part D provides coverage only for prescription medications and can be used in conjunction with Original Medicare or with a Medicare Advantage plan that does not include drug coverage.
• Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, provides coverage for Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

What is the difference between a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medicare Supplement plan? Our Medicare expert and licensed insurance agent, Christian Worstell, explains just that in this short video.

4. There are certain enrollment periods during which you can make Medicare Advantage enrollment changes

There are only certain times of year you may enroll in most types of Medicare coverage.

When you first become eligible for Medicare, you will be given an Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Original Medicare and, if you choose, Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Part D. Your Initial Enrollment Period typically starts 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday, includes your birthday month and continues for another 3 months, for a total of 7 months.

If you are already enrolled in Medicare, typically the only time of year you can add, drop or make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan is during the fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period, also called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period takes place from October 15 to December 7 each year, which means that it is happening right now. If you are interested in enrolling or switching to a new Medicare Advantage plan, you have until December 7th to do so. Call 844-919-3456 to speak with a licensed insurance agent about your enrollment options or visit MedicareAdvantage.com today to start comparing plans online.

Depending on your circumstances, you may not be able to make changes to Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage outside of AEP unless you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment period.

5. Help is available

Perhaps the most important thing all new enrollees should know about Medicare is that there is plenty of help available.

A Medicare licensed insurance agent can help answer your questions about Medicare, help you compare plans and discuss your various coverage options in detail.

If you’re a new Medicare enrollee or are approaching your eligibility date, connect with a licensed insurance agent from MedicareAdvantage.com today to get the conversation started. You can also compare plans and – if eligible – enroll online.

Call 844-919-3456 to speak with a licensed insurance agent now and get started! Or start shopping and comparing plans onlinein 3 simple steps.

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Not all plans offer all of these benefits. Availability of benefits and plans varies by carrier and location. Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, limitations, and exclusions may apply.

Enrollment in the described plan type may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.