Medicare Solutions

If you're already getting Social Security benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled into Medicare and will receive your Medicare card three months before your 65th birthday (or 25th month of disability).

If you're not receiving Social Security then you may need to manually sign up for Medicare Part A & Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period one of the following ways:

• Apply online at Social Security

• Visit your local Social Security office

• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213

Part A

Part A helps pay for hospital, skilled nursing facility, home care, and hospice. In most cases, you will not pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, or 40 quarters, while working.

Part B

Part B helps pay for physician services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and other medical services. Most people will pay a monthly premium for Part B.

Part A & B

Part A & Part B is known as Original Medicare and covers about 80% of allowable medical charges.

Part C

Part C refers to Medicare Advantage plans. You must have Part A and Part B to qualify. Medicare pays a private insurer to provide your healthcare coverage. This incorporates your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D into one plan. These plans start at $0.00 per month and may include extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare.

Part D

Part D refers to prescription drug coverage. People with Original Medicare & Medicare Supplement coverage must purchase a Part D plan separately. Part D is usually included for those on Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.

Medicare Supplement plans (also known as Medigap) fill the gaps of Original Medicare, which is usually the 20% of allowable medical charges that Original Medicare doesn't cover.

• Insurance companies offering Medicare Supplements must use standardized benefit packages.

• Medicare Supplements do not include Part D prescription drug coverage.

• Medicare Supplements do not include benefits beyond what Medicare covers; such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage.

• Medicare Supplements may require applicants to pass a health questionnaire to qualify for coverage.

• Most Medicare Supplement plans allow you to receive care from any Medicare-certified provider who accepts Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans provide all of your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D benefits. These plans are offered by private insurance companies that are paid by Medicare to assume responsibility for your healthcare.

• Insurance companies market a variety of benefit designs that are closely monitored and approved by Medicare.

• Medicare Advantage plans usually include preset copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limits for medical services.

• Medicare Advantage plans may include benefits beyond what Medicare covers; such as dental, vision, hearing aids, and international emergency coverage.

• Medicare Advantage plans do not require medical underwriting. Eligibility generally depends on having Medicare Parts A and B, living within the plan’s service area, and enrolling during an applicable Medicare enrollment period.

• Most healthcare providers only accept certain Medicare Advantage plans, which use various types of networks (HMO, PPO, etc.).

  For more information on the differences between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans, click here.

Schedule a call with an agent for a full breakdown of your options, or call us now.