Medicare Made Simple

What is Medicare?

Part A
Medicare is a federal program that offers health insurance to American citizens and other eligible individuals.

Part B
The program is often called Original Medicare. It has two parts -- Part A and Part B.

medicare-made-simple

Who Can Get Medicare?

U.S. Citizens and Legal Residents

Legal residents must live in the U.S. for at least 5 years in a row, including 5 years just before applying for Medicare.

 

You must also meet one of the following requirements:

  • Age 65 or older
  • Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability
  • Any age with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease or ALS
medicare-card

Understanding Your Medicare Choices

Step 1

Enroll in Original Medicare

Original Medicare

Provided by the federal government

Part A
Helps pay for hospital stays and inpatient care.

Part B
Helps pay for doctor visits and outpatient care.

medicare-card

Step 2

After you enroll in Original Medicare, there are two ways to get additional coverage

Option 1

Add one or both of the following to Original Medicare:

OR

Option 2

Choose a Medicare Advantage plan:

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Offered by private companies

Medicare Supplement
Helps pay some of the out-of-pocket-costs not paid by Original Medicare.

Medicare Part D Plan

Offered by private companies

Part D
Helps pay for prescription drugs.

OR

Option 2

Choose a Medicare Advantage plan:

Medicare Advantage Plan

Offered by private companies

Part C
Combines Part A and Part B coverage in one plan.

Part D
Usually includes prescription drug coverage.

May offer additional benefits not provided by Original Medicare.

When Can I Enroll?

Enrolling in Medicare for the first time

  • Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is 7 months long. It includes your 65th birthday month plus the 3 months before and 3 months after.
  • Your IEP begins and ends one month earlier if your birthday is on the first of the month.
  • Your IEP is based on your 25th month of receiving benefits if you become eligible for Medicare due to disability.
  • You should be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically at age 65 if are receiving social security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Medicare will mail your card to you.
IEP

Changing Your Coverage

  • After you're enrolled, you have a chance to make changes to your coverage each year during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
  • Review your coverage choices yearly. Medicare and plan benefits or costs may change.
  • Consider your health care needs and budget for the coming year.
  • Keep your current coverage or change it based on your needs.
  • You may make coverage changes at other times of the year in certain qualifying situations.