Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, and for some younger people with certain disabilities or conditions. It helps cover hospital stays, doctor visits, prescriptions, and more.

Medicare is broken down into four main parts:

Part A (Hospital Insurance): Provided by Medicare, this covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care services. If you or your spouse have paid Medicare taxes while working, there is typically no monthly premium for Part A.

Part B (Medical Insurance): Also provided by Medicare, this covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. There is a monthly premium for Part B.

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans): These are alternative plans offered by private companies approved by Medicare. They provide all of your Part A and Part B coverage and may offer some additional benefits.

Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): This is optional coverage for prescription drugs. These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare. There is usually a monthly premium for Part D.

Remember that each of these parts comes with its own cost and coverage considerations, so it's essential to assess your personal health needs and financial situation when deciding on a Medicare plan. Our site is here to help guide you through this process, empowering you to choose the right Medicare plan for your healthcare needs.

Original Medicare is run by the government and includes Part A and Part B.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private insurance companies. It includes everything in Parts A & B and often adds drug coverage, dental, vision, and more — usually with one card and added benefits.

You can first enroll in a Medicare plan during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which begins three months before your 65th birthday (or the 1st month you have Medicare Parts A and B) and extends three months after. During this window you can sign up for Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).

Have a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan and wanting to make a change? Each year you can enroll in a new plan during the Annual Election Period (AEP). The Annual Election Period runs from October 15th to December 7th each year. This is a good time to re-evaluate your needs, your plan's coverage, and your other plan options. Sounds like a lot of work, right? It's not when you have Healthpilot to do the heavy lifting for you.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) are available if you have qualifying life events, like moving or losing current insurance, allowing you to enroll outside of the IEP or AEP.

Part A is usually free if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for 10 years.
Part B and Part D typically have monthly premiums.

Some people may qualify for programs to reduce or eliminate these costs.

You may be able to delay some parts of Medicare without a penalty. It depends on the size of your employer and the type of coverage. We can help you understand what makes the most sense for your situation.

Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. But many Medicare Advantage plans do. We’ll help you find one that fits your needs.

That’s what we’re here for! Our licensed agents will review your needs, check your doctors and prescriptions, and find a plan that fits. We work for you, not the insurance companies.