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Plan for Medicare enrollment a year away

We’re here to support you as you explore Medicare plans a year ahead of being eligible that match your personal wellness goals.

 

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Understanding the four parts of Medicare

There are four parts of Medicare – A, B, C and D. Each has a different purpose, so understanding the difference is important.

 

Medicare Parts A and B are known as Original Medicare. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government. Part A covers some costs associated with hospital care. Part B covers basic medical services like lab tests and routine checkups with your doctor.

 

Medicare Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage is provided by private insurance companies. It includes everything you get with Original Medicare, but with additional coverage for things like dental, vision and hearing. The added coverage you can get with Medicare Advantage varies from plan to plan.

 

Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs. Part D prescription drug plans are offered by private insurance companies. The drugs that are covered vary depending on the plan.

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The three main Medicare enrollment periods to know

 

There are multiple Medicare enrollment periods, but three stand out among the rest: the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), General Enrollment Period (GEP) and Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).

 

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. This window includes the month of your birthday, so it’s seven months total. During this time, you can enroll in Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage or a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.

 

The Medicare General Enrollment Period happens every year from January 1 to March 31. You can use this period to sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B. This applies only if you didn’t sign up when you were first eligible and you aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

 

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period happens every year from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you can switch to Medicare Advantage from Original Medicare, or vice versa. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage, you can also use this period to switch to one that has it, or vice versa. In addition, you can join or drop a Medicare prescription drug plan.

 

Besides these enrollment periods, there’s also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period and Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. You can use these periods to apply to a different Medicare Advantage plan if you already have one, as well as to Medicare Supplement plans.

 

Learn more about Medicare Enrollment Periods

How can I pay for health care costs as I age? 

Making smart decisions about government programs like Social Security and Medicare can create long-lasting benefits as you age. Learn more about important milestones for researching and accessing both Social Security and Medicare benefits which may pay dividends in the future.

 

Retirement health costs

Preparing to research Medicare? Start here. 

  • Start your Medicare journey

    You may not be 65 yet, but it’s never too early to learn more about Medicare.

  • 6 Medicare myths

    Here are some of the most common Medicare misunderstandings and what you need to know about each of them.

  • Commonly misunderstood Medicare terms

    Did you know that many Medicare terms actually mean the same thing? We decoded them to help you get started.

  • Words of wisdom: Medicare enrollment journey

    Learn how the Chioccas efficiently researched and used their resources to choose a Medicare Advantage Part C plan.

Have financial goals? We can help.

What does Medicare cost?

Want to know what Medicare really costs? We break the numbers down for you.

 

The cost of Medicare

 

Medicare and your finances

Health care costs can add up quickly. When shopping for a Medicare plan, make sure the benefits fit your health needs, your lifestyle and your budget.

 

Staying financially healthy

 

 

Learn from our free guide

Make sense of Medicare by getting the benefits and coverage information you need to make the right choice for you.

View plans

Even though you may not be eligible yet, you can review this year’s Medicare plans by entering your ZIP code.

 

What else can I learn about Medicare?

 

Learn about the other stages of getting ready for Medicare enrollment.

 

I’m a few months out from Medicare

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