Medicare FAQs
Medicare Services
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Most people enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period — a 7-month window:
- 3 months before your 65th birthday
- The month you turn 65
- 3 months after your birthday month
Missing this period may result in late enrollment penalties, so it’s important to enroll at the right time.
-
You may need to wait for the General Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31). Late enrollment can result in permanent penalties added to your monthly premium.
-
It depends on your employer coverage. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you may delay Medicare Part B without penalty. However, the following are not considered creditable coverage, so you may still need to enroll when first eligible:
- COBRA
- Retiree Insurance
- VA coverage
- Individual Health Insurance
-
Yes. Most plan changes happen during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). Note: switching from Medicare Advantage to a Supplement later may require health underwriting, and coverage may not be guaranteed.
-
Medicare is not completely free:
- Part A is usually premium-free if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
- Part B has a monthly premium based on your income.
- Part D and additional coverage plans may also have premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
-
Yes. Delaying Medicare enrollment may result in permanent premium increases:
- Part B penalty: 10% added to your premium for every 12-month period you were eligible but did not enroll.
- Part D penalty: 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for every month you go without creditable prescription drug coverage.
-
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an additional premium that higher-income individuals may pay for Medicare Part B and Part D. It is based on your tax return from two years ago.
-
Costs vary depending on your income, coverage choices, and whether you add a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage plan, or Part D drug plan. Contact us for a personalized cost estimate.
-
No. Original Medicare typically covers about 80% of approved healthcare services, leaving beneficiaries responsible for the remaining costs. Many people choose a Medicare Supplement plan to help cover these expenses.
-
Original Medicare generally does not cover:
- Routine dental care
- Vision exams for glasses
- Hearing aids
- Long-term care
-
- Original Medicare + Supplement: You can see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare.
- Medicare Advantage: You may need to use providers within the plan’s network.
-
- Original Medicare + Supplement: Your coverage works anywhere in the United States.
- Medicare Advantage: You may need to select a new plan if you move outside your current plan’s service area.
-
- Part A – Hospital insurance
- Part B – Medical insurance (doctor visits and outpatient services)
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) – Private plans that replace Original Medicare
- Part D – Prescription drug coverage
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) – Helps cover out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare
-
A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan works alongside Original Medicare and helps cover out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
A Medicare Advantage plan is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies and often includes additional benefits such as dental or vision coverage.
-
If you do not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when first eligible and do not have other creditable prescription coverage, you may face a lifetime late enrollment penalty.
Medicare Services
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Most people enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period — a 7-month window:
- 3 months before your 65th birthday
- The month you turn 65
- 3 months after your birthday month
Missing this period may result in late enrollment penalties, so it’s important to enroll at the right time.
-
You may need to wait for the General Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31). Late enrollment can result in permanent penalties added to your monthly premium.
-
It depends on your employer coverage. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you may delay Medicare Part B without penalty. However, the following are not considered creditable coverage, so you may still need to enroll when first eligible:
- COBRA
- Retiree Insurance
- VA coverage
- Individual Health Insurance
-
Yes. Most plan changes happen during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). Note: switching from Medicare Advantage to a Supplement later may require health underwriting, and coverage may not be guaranteed.
-
Medicare is not completely free:
- Part A is usually premium-free if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
- Part B has a monthly premium based on your income.
- Part D and additional coverage plans may also have premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
-
Yes. Delaying Medicare enrollment may result in permanent premium increases:
- Part B penalty: 10% added to your premium for every 12-month period you were eligible but did not enroll.
- Part D penalty: 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for every month you go without creditable prescription drug coverage.
-
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an additional premium that higher-income individuals may pay for Medicare Part B and Part D. It is based on your tax return from two years ago.
-
Costs vary depending on your income, coverage choices, and whether you add a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage plan, or Part D drug plan. Contact us for a personalized cost estimate.
-
No. Original Medicare typically covers about 80% of approved healthcare services, leaving beneficiaries responsible for the remaining costs. Many people choose a Medicare Supplement plan to help cover these expenses.
-
Original Medicare generally does not cover:
- Routine dental care
- Vision exams for glasses
- Hearing aids
- Long-term care
-
- Original Medicare + Supplement: You can see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare.
- Medicare Advantage: You may need to use providers within the plan’s network.
-
- Original Medicare + Supplement: Your coverage works anywhere in the United States.
- Medicare Advantage: You may need to select a new plan if you move outside your current plan’s service area.
-
- Part A – Hospital insurance
- Part B – Medical insurance (doctor visits and outpatient services)
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) – Private plans that replace Original Medicare
- Part D – Prescription drug coverage
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) – Helps cover out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare
-
A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan works alongside Original Medicare and helps cover out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
A Medicare Advantage plan is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies and often includes additional benefits such as dental or vision coverage.
-
If you do not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when first eligible and do not have other creditable prescription coverage, you may face a lifetime late enrollment penalty.
