Vance Insurance Group

Understanding Medicare

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Understanding Medicare

When it comes to Medicare, one size definitely doesn't fit all. What works for your neighbor may not be the best fit for you. Vance Insurance Group is here to help you understand your needs, explain your options and make Medicare as simple as possible to understand. " Click Below To Learn More"

Medicare Advantage

Plan C - combines Part A and Part B benefits plus additional benefits like Dental, Vision, etc. "Click Here"

Medicare Supplement

Also know as Medigap insurance, can help pay some of the out -of-pocket cost not covered by Part A and B. "Click Here"

Medicare Part D

Provides coverage for prescriptions. Can be a stand-alone plan or Part of Medicare Advantage Plan. "Click Here"

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that was created to provide affordable healthcare coverage to eligible individuals. Those eligible include anyone 65 or older or those with qualifying disabilities.

Who can get Medicare?

U.S. citizens and legal residents

Legal residents must live in the U.S. for least 5 years and a row, including the 5 years just before applying for Medicare. You must also meet one of these requirements:

Age 65 or older
Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability

Any age with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease or ALS
Be disaabled/receiving Social Security disability income benefits for 24 months

When can you enroll in a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan?

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

For those who age into Medicare (turn 65), your IEP includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and 3 months after. Your IEP begins and ends 1 month earlier if your birthday is on the first of the month. You have 6 months to be guaranteed coverage in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan (Medigap), starting the first month you are age 65 or older and enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. You may apply at other times, but you could be denied coverage or charged a higher premium based on your health history. Some states may have additional open enrollment rights under state law.

Eligible due to disability?

Your 7-months IEP includes the month you receive your 25th disability check, the 3 months before and 3months after.

Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 - December 7

During annual enrollment, you can add, drop or switch your Medicare coverage

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 - March 31

If you’re already a Medicare Advantage plan member, you may disenroll from your current plan and either switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan one time only, or go back to Original Medicare during this period.

Special Enrollment Period

Depending on certain circumstances, you may be able to enroll in a Medicare plan outside of the initial enrollment or annual enrollment time frames. Some ways you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period are if you :

Retire and lose your employer coverage
Move out of the plan’s service are
Qualify for Extra Help

Note: Special needs plans have other eligibility requirements.

Have been diagnosed with certain qualifying chronic health conditions

Understanding your Medicare choices

Step 1

Enroll in Original Medicare

Original Medicare

Provided by the federal government

Part A

Helps pay for hospital stays and inpatient care

Part B

Helps pay for doctor visits and outpatient care

How do you enroll?

If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Boarding benefits when you become eligible you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. You’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail. If you’re not receiving benefits, you need to sign up for Medicare when you become eligible.

Visit Social Security Office

Visit your local Social Security Office

Call Social Security

Call Social at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778

Apply Online

Apply online at ssa.gov

Step 2

After you enroll in Original Medicare, there are two ways to get additional coverage

Option 1

------- OR -------

Option 2

Step 2

After you enroll in Original Medicare, there are two ways to get additional coverage

Add one or both of the following to Original Medicare: