Time for a Change?

Most Americans are eligible for Medicare at age 65

Medicare Part A (hospital) is premium free for most, but Part B (medical) requires payment of a premium. Your Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before you turn 65, whether you are otherwise covered by insurance or not.

For more detail, refer to Medicare: Are You Eligible? and Medicare Enrollment.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover all your costs

You can help pay out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare by choosing:

• Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
• Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
• Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

If you work beyond age 65…

Many people with employer coverage enroll in just Part A during their Initial Enrollment Period. Part A is premium free for most people, and it may provide additional hospital coverage. Some employers require you to take full Medicare benefits (Parts A and B) at age 65. Check with your employer plan benefits administrator. When you retire and lose your employer’s coverage you will have a Special Enrollment Period.

Retirement and loss of income

Once upon a time, retirement was the time you grabbed the golf clubs or fishing pole, planned travel adventures and simplified your life — the golden years. Today, with the rising cost of living and with life-changing events such as illness, losing a spouse, or taking on a part-time job you may wonder if your savings and fixed retirement income will be enough to provide for the projected next 20 years.

Becoming a caregiver for spouse or parents

When you married, it was for better or worse. And you’ve had some great years. If your life partner has experienced a decline in health and subsequent loss of independence, caring for him/her presents a challenge. And don’t forget your parents or other family members who may need you to step in when you least expect it. Needs change with time and circumstance; the healthcare coverage that you or your loved one now has may no longer be the best fit/solution for your changing healthcare and financial needs.

Facing unforeseen health issues

You’ve been relatively healthy most of your life, and suddenly you’re faced with an unexpected change: a diagnosis that could send your healthcare and/or prescription drug costs skyrocketing. Or you could be facing a new challenge like COVID-19, which places those over 65 in a “vulnerable population” despite all you have done to stay healthy.

Changing your Medicare Supplement or Advantage plan

There are several reasons you may consider a change in your Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage Plan:

• Changes to your health and/or medications
• Increased Medicare Supplement premiums
• Attractive additional benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans
• Changes in provider networks, copays, coinsurance or benefits for Medicare Advantage plans
• Increase in deductibles, premiums or copays; or changes in drug formularies for Prescription Drug plans.

Medicare enrollment for people with special needs

Medicare's Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicarde Advantage coordinated care plans (HMO or PPO) designed to provide targeted care to specific categories of people.

Enrollment based on disability or medical condition

You will be automtially enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B (you may refuse enrollment in Part B, but run the risk of a Late Enrollment Penalty if you decide later that you want it). Your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period includes the month you receive your 25th disability check plus the three months preceding and three months following. Enrollment for people with end-stage renal disease or ALS is based on the time of diagnosis and other factors.

Enrollment based on limited income and resources

Individuals with low incomes may be eligible for a Medicare savings program, which may help pay for Medicare Part A and B premiums and other Medicare costs. These programs are administered by state Medicaid programs.

Click here or call 941/704-6343 to contact a licensed agent.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent nine organizations which offer 80 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.