Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program from the government. It’s mostly for people who are 65 or older. It also helps younger people with certain health problems and people with serious kidney disease.

What is Medicare?

• Part A (Hospital Insurance)
  • Helps pay for hospital stays, care in nursing homes, hospice care, and some health care at home.
• Part B (Medical Insurance)
  • Helps pay for doctor visits, tests, medical supplies, and care to prevent illness.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage)
  • A different way to get Medicare from private companies approved by Medicare. It includes Parts A and B.
• Part D (Drug Coverage)
  • Helps pay for medicine your doctor prescribes. Private insurance companies run these plans.

Who Can Get Medicare & When to Sign Up?

• First Time Sign-Up
  • You have 7 months to sign up: 3 months before your 65th birthday, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
• Yearly Sign-Up
  • October 15 – December 7 each year. You can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage or drug plans.
• Medicare Advantage Change Period
  • January 1 – March 31 each year. If you have Medicare Advantage, you can switch or drop your plan.
• Special Times to Sign Up
  • You can sign up at other times if your life changes, like moving or losing other health insurance.