If you’re close to 65, but NOT getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, the first step is to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B.

Once you have a Medicare Part B effective date, you are eligible to enroll in supplement, advantage, and pdp plans. There are lots of options available to you, make sure to request a consult to make sure that you are enrolling in a plan that fits your needs!

Medicare Part A covers your hospital expenses.

This includes hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice, and home health-care services. You may have to pay various deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. You earn Part A by paying taxes toward Medicare while working for 10 years (or 40 quarters). If you did not earn Part A, you will pay a premium.

Medicare Part B covers services that treat illnesses or conditions such as doctor’s office visits, lab work, x-rays, and outpatient surgeries.

It also covers preventive services like cancer screenings and flu shots. Part B also covers medically necessary durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers to treat a disease or condition. Most people pay a premium for Part B. Even if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that provides your Part A and Part B benefits, you will still pay your Part B premium.

A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is used with original Medicare. Any caregiver that accepts Medicare will take a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan because they only need to bill Medicare. Medicare pays their part (generally 80% of Medicare covered benefits) and sends the remainder of the bill to the Supplement which pays their part (generally 20%). It is important to note that Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans do NOT include Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D, PDP) and for those that do not get a PDP when first eligible there will be a penalty when they do get a PDP. (there are exceptions to this) A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan does not change year to year (although the cost does generally go up the coverage does not change).

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called "Part C" or "MA Plans," are an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. They are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. These "bundled" plans include Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and usually Medicare drug coverage (Part D).