FAQ

If you are collecting monthly social security, it will happen automatically. If you are not

collecting, you can go to Medicare.gov or call your social security office. Ultimately, you are

seeking to obtain your Red, White, and Blue Medicare card with your specific Identification

Number.

You are permitted to enroll 3 months before your birth month when turning 65. This is

considered your “initial enrollment period” (IEP). It lasts for 7 months altogether. 3 months

before your birth month, + the month your birthday is in + 3 months after your birth month. It is

important to start the process early in the 7-month period to avoid lapse coverage or late

enrollment penalties. Your coverage can start on the first day of your birth month if enrolled in

time.

This can be a long answer but “yes”. There are specific opportunities to reevaluate your

selection. Most importantly, this happens every year during the “Annual Enrollment Period”

(AEP) which is October 15 th to December 7 th . I can help you understand other options for the full

answer.

Medicare is an individual plan. You and your spouse could have the same carrier and plan

potentially, but that decision should be dependent on the health care needs for each of you.

You may find it beneficial to select different options.

That is the reason you want to consider all your options available as you select your carrier and

plan within their options. I will provide you with several options after researching with your

specific health needs. You can then make an informed selection. You may also visit the

Medicare website for full information on all options available at any time.

Medicare is regulated by Federal and State laws. National coverage is evaluated and decided

by Medicare regarding what is covered. Further, specific location impacts coverage by private

insurance companies related to what is available or covered. This is why detailed evaluation

should precede your decisions.

Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Part A coverage is basically

your hospital coverage and Part B coverage is your medical coverage. There are deductibles

and limits within these plans.

This is a second layer of coverage that impacts your deductibles and coinsurance. They can be

selected with a specific monthly cost. You then must select a Part D plan for your prescription

drug needs or face a financial penalty.

You should speak with your employer and discuss their specific options. You may elect to delay

enrollment in Part B coverage and save the monthly premium. However, you can face a

financial penalty without sufficient coverage at a later enrollment date. We can discuss those

details.

Commonly called Part C plans, these additional coverage plans are from private insurance

carriers. Within your Plan C options, you will find a variety of options that may add coverage for

extra benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental. You may also find differences in out-of-

pocket limits, deductibles, and copays… You should consider all medical needs as you look at

these plans.

It is also common for these Advantage plans to bundle coverage that includes prescription drug

coverage plans and could modify your Part A and B coverage details.

Part D coverage is focused on prescription drugs. Here you will find lists of drug tiers and

formulary lists. Insurance carriers can have different drug lists which could impact your cost for

specific drugs. Careful review is important. Insurance carriers can also have various pharmacy

chains as preferred providers on their plans.

No, healthcare advisors are not permitted by law to charge for their services. While they do get

paid, Medicare establishes a specific allowance for these commissions through the insurance

carrier. There is no direct cost to our clients.

Healthcare advisors are required to be licensed by each state in health insurance. Each carrier

also requires specific training on their health plans and options. By using an Independent

Health Insurance Broker, you get input from someone that has been licensed and then trained

with multiple insurance carriers to look at your health care needs.

We always will provide you with plan options for your needs and never attempt to focus you into

only the plans that we may not offer. If our research points to options we do not represent, we

will let you know about those options and never attempt to keep you from those selections.