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Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Medicare
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Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. They are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. These “bundled” plans include Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and usually Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Our benefit care coordinators are here to assist you with health insurance questions. Call us or schedule a tour with us for more information!

To join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must:

  • Have Part A and Part B
  • Live in the plan’s service area.

Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) is an “all in one” alternative to Original
Medicare. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D.

  • Plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.
  • In many cases, you’ll need to use doctors who are in the plan’s network.
  • Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover – like vision, hearing, dental, and more.
  • Most plans include Part D Extra benefits

Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance):

  • If you want drug coverage, you can join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D).
  • To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20% coinsurance), you can also shop for and buy supplemental coverage.
  • You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. Part A Part B can be established You can add: Part D You can also add: Supplemental coverage This includes Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). Or you can use coverage from a former employer or union, or Medicaid.

Generally, when you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.

You can only join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan during the enrollment periods below:

  • Initial Enrollment Period – When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. For many, this is the 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you’re under 65 and have a disability, you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months. If you sign up during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, in most cases, your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month. However, if your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage will start the first day of the prior month. If you enroll the month you turn 65 or during the last 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your start date for coverage will be delayed.
  • General Enrollment Period – If you have Part A coverage and you get Part B for the first time during this period (between January 1 – March 31 each year), you can also join a Medicare Advantage Plan. Your coverage may not start until July 1.
  • Open Enrollment Period – Between October 15 – December 7, anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1 (if the plan gets your request by December 7).

Between January 1 – March 31 each year, you can make these changes during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period:

  • If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
  • You can drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.

 You’ll also be able to join a Medicare drug plan. During this period, you cannot:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you’re in Original Medicare.
  • Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare.
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