Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Medicare?
A: Medicare is provided by the federal government and offers health insurance to individuals who are age 65 or older, younger than 65 with a qualifying disability, or any age individuals with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease or ALS.
Q: What are the parts of Medicare?
A: Part A is your hospital insurance. It helps pay for hospital stays and inpatient care including some stays in a skilled nursing facility.
Part B is your medical insurance. It helps pay for doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventative services.
Part C is Medicare Advantage. These plans combine Part A & Part B benefits into one plan. Most plans include prescription drug coverage and offer additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and fitness membership. They are offered by private insurance carriers.
Part D is Prescription drug coverage. These plans help pay for prescription drugs. These can be purchased as a standalone Part D plan or included within Medicare Advantage plan.
Q: How much does Medicare cost?
A: Medicare is not free.
Typically most do not have to pay a monthly premium for Part A (Hospital Insurance) as long as you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 10 years.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) has a monthly premium.
Q: When and how should I sign up for Medicare?
A: Your Initial election period window is 7 months long. You have 3 months before your birth month, your birth month, and 3 months after your birth month to enroll in Medicare.
If you are already receiving Social Security Benefits you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare and be sent your red, white, and blue card around 3 months before your 65th birthday.
Those that are not receiving social security benefits will need to take it upon themselves to enroll in Medicare during their initial election period. You can apply for Medicare online at www.ssa.gov , click on Medicare Enrollment, then apply for benefits. This application should take no more than 10 minutes to do. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail.
Your other option is to visit a local social security office and apply for Medicare benefits.
Q: What are Medicare Advantage Plans?
A: Also known as Part C, Medicare Advantage plans are health plans offered by private insurance companies regulated by the U.S. government. These plans combine both your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and your Part B (Medical Insurance) into one plan. They usually include Part D- prescription drug coverage and may offer additional benefits outside of Original Medicare such as dental, vision, hearing, Silver sneakers, and an Over the Counter Benefit. Plans added benefits, and out of pocket costs vary from carrier to carrier
Q: What is a Medicare Supplement plan?
A: Also known as Medigap, Medicare Supplement insurance plans are offered by private insurance companies. These plans can help pay some of the out of pocket expenses like deductibles, co-payments, or co-insurance that come with Original Medicare. These are standardized plans across all insurance carriers, but the monthly premium can vary from carrier to carrier. Usually, a stand alone Prescription drug plan (Part D) is paired with this option.
Q: Is Dental, Vision, or Hearing covered under Medicare?
A: Medicare doesn’t cover routine exams for dental, vision, or hearing.
*Most Medicare Advantage plans will offer routine exams for dental, vision, and hearing within their plan.
Q: What will my Part B premium be?
A: Most people pay the standard amount which can change each year. Higher earners will pay a larger percentage on their monthly premium. Individuals with incomes more than $87,000 or married couples with an income of more than $174,000 will pay more monthly for Part B and Part D premiums.
