Speak with an agent TTY 711 M-F 9-5 (800)485-0535
Welcome to our
medicare resource center
Whether you are just turning 65 or have had Medicare for many years, we are here to provide the help you need.
Our services are at NO COST to you
- Analysis of Options
- Review of current Medicare health plan
- Service help with your plan
- Annual review of benefits
Let us show you how to "Get More from Medicare"
APPLYING FOR YOUR MEDICARE CARD
New to Medicare
If you are newly eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance), you may apply online. Because you may have to pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down. You do not have to claim Social Security retirement benefits apply for Medicare. If you don't currently receive any Social Security income, you may get a bill for your Part B Medicare. Let us guide you.
If you’re eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday.
If you choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B and then decide to do so later, your coverage could be delayed and you may have to pay a higher monthly premium for as long as you have Part B.
You can call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for more information.
Already have Medicare Part A
If you already have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and you’re eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), you have options for how to apply. You can apply online or you can mail your completed CMS 40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare - Part B (Medical Insurance) to your local Social Security office.
You’ll also need to send CMS L564 - Request for Employment Information, and a required proof of employment, Group Health Plan (GHP), or Large Group Health Plan (LGHP) coverage with your 40B form.
You can also fax your enrollment forms and evidence of employment and health coverage to your local Social Security office.
You can call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for more information.
Parts a, b, c & d explained
Part A helps cover the following:
- Inpatient care in hospitals (such as critical access hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and long-term care hospitals)
- Inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (not custodial or long-term care)
- Hospice care services
- Home health care services
- Inpatient care in a Religious Non-medical Health Care Institution.
You usually don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A coverage
if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
Part B helps cover the following:
Medicare Part B helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors' services, outpatient care, home health services, and other medical services.
Part B also covers some preventive services.
HOW DO YOU GET MEDICARE PART B?
- If you get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), in most cases you will automatically get Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your Part B will start the first day of the prior month. If you are not receiving benefits, you may need to apply for a Medicare Card.
- If you do not want Part B, follow the instructions that come with the card, and send the card back. If you keep the card, you keep Part B and will pay Part B premiums.
What is Part C? (Medicare Advantage)
Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called "Part C" are offered by private insurance companies with a contract with Medicare.
If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your
- Part A (Hospital Insurance) and
- Part B (Medical Insurance) and most include
- Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) [varies by plan]
Coverage is typically through an HMO or PPO.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
AREN'T CONSIDERED A SUPPLEMENT.
Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers except hospice care. Original Medicare covers hospice care even if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra coverage, such as
vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs.
Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
Medicare offers prescription drug coverage (Part D) to everyone with Medicare. Medicare Part D plans are offered by private companies to help cover the cost of prescription drugs. Medicare Part D generally covers both brand-name and generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies.
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO GET MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE:
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. These stand aloneplans (sometimes called “PDPs”) add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.
- Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plans that offer Medicare prescription drug coverage. You get all of your Part A and Part B coverage, and prescription drug coverage (Part D), through these plans. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called “MA-PDs.”