Medicare FAQ

Understand the different parts of Medicare, how it works, and which plans are suited for you.

  • What Is Medicare?

    Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:

    • People who are 65 or older
    • Certain younger people with disabilities
    • People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant sometimes called ESRD)

    Source: Medicare.gov


  • Enrollment Periods

    You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Health Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) with or without drug coverage during these times:


    • Initial Enrollment Period: When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can join a plan
    • Open Enrollment Period: From October 15 – December 7 each year, you can join, switch, or drop a plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1 (as long as the plan gets your request by December 7)
    • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: From January 1 – March 31 each year, if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) once during this time. 

    Source: Medicare.gov


  • Plans

    The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:

    • Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
    • Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
    • Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage): Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). 

    Source: Medicare.gov


  • Drug Coverage

    You join a Medicare drug plan in addition to Original Medicare, or you get it by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.


    Source: Medicare.gov


BENEFICIARY EVENTS
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