Medicare educational resources

Advocate Health Care provides resources to help you understand the available options that best meet your health and wellness needs. Email us at ASC-AdvocateMedicare@aah.org for more information about our upcoming webinars and seminars or to schedule an appointment with one of our Medicare counselors.

---

Understanding Medicare

Medicare is a federal government program that offers health insurance to individuals who are:

• Age 65 and older
• Under age 65, disabled and on Social Security for 24 months
• Any age with end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

When you enroll in Medicare, you can choose from:

Original Medicare: This plan includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You also can add Part D (prescription drug coverage) and Medicare supplement insurance.

Medicare Advantage: Similar to an employer’s HMO or PPO, these bundled plans include Medicare Part A and B and usually Part D as well as additional benefits Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.

View the Medicare & You handbook to learn more about these plans.

---

Enrollment periods at a glance

Initial enrollment period

The initial enrollment period is a seven-month period that includes three months before you turn 65, your birthday month and three months after you turn 65.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment, also known as Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), happens every fall from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, you can join, drop or change Medicare coverage. The plan coverage you choose during AEP starts on Jan. 1 of the following year.

Medicare Advantage open enrollment

This one-time change takes place between Jan. 1 and March 31. You must already be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on Jan. 1. During this time, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage, or return to Original Medicare and enroll in Part D. You can't switch from one prescription drug plan to another. There's no guaranteed issue right for Medigap.

General enrollment period

There is a three-month window from Jan. 1 through March 31 annually where you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B for the first time if you missed signing up when you were first eligible, and you are not eligible for a special enrollment period. You may be subject to late penalties.

Individuals can sign up for Medicare Advantage (Part C) from April 1 through June 30. Coverage begins July 1.

Special enrollment period

In some cases, you may be able to enroll in or switch to a plan outside of the initial enrollment period. This includes changes in your life situation, such as:

• You retire and leave a health care plan through your employer or union
• You move out of your current health plan’s service area

When you enroll will determine when your coverage begins. To determine your eligibility and for more information on enrollment periods, visit medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans.

---

Review Medicare plans and get answers to your questions

Comparing Medicare plans could result in cost savings or expanded benefits. And if you’re currently enrolled in Medicare, the benefits covered by your plan might have changed.

When choosing a Medicare plan or reviewing your Medicare options, some things to consider include:

• Have my health or prescription needs changed?
• Are there plans that can reduce my out-of-pocket costs?
• Can I find a plan offering more coverage?