Medicare Insurance Plans

Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice and some home health care. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services. Part C is Medicare Advantage, private plans that deliver your A and B benefits. Part D covers prescriptions.

Your first chance is a 7-month window around your 65th birthday: 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after. After that, you can change plans each fall from October 15 to December 7. If you’re on Medicare Advantage, you get another chance from January 1 to March 31. See your dates in our Enrollment Guide.

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period after a life change, such as moving out of your plan’s area, losing employer or Medicaid coverage, moving back to the U.S., or qualifying for or leaving a Special Needs Plan. Otherwise, you can sign up for Part B from January 1 to March 31, though a late penalty may apply. Call us and we’ll sort out your options.

If you already get Social Security benefits, you’re enrolled automatically. If not, you can apply online with Social Security, call them or visit a local office. We can walk you through it.

Yes. Most people take Part A anyway, since it’s usually premium-free. Whether you can delay Part B and Part D without a penalty depends on your employer’s size and whether your coverage counts as creditable. We’ll check before you decide.

No. Medicare covers each person on their own, with no spouse or family plans. Your spouse enrolls when they become eligible, in their own window.

Original Medicare covers very little routine dental or vision care, though it does cover some eye care for conditions like diabetes and glaucoma. Many Medicare Advantage plans add dental, vision and hearing benefits, or you can buy a separate dental and vision plan.

No. You pay the same plan premium whether you enroll through us or on your own, and our help is free.