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Medicare Education & Resources

What Is Medicare?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:

  • People who are 65 years of age or older

  • Certain younger people with disabilities

  • People with End-Stage Renal Disease

    • (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)

The Different Parts of Medicare

Medicare Part A

(Hospital Insurance) 

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home healthy care.

Medicare Part B 

(Medical Insurance) 

Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services

Medicare Part C 

(Medicare Advantage Plans) 

A Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare.

 

All Part A and Part B benefits are provided. 

Medicare Advantage Plans include:

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  • Health Maintenance Organizations

  • Preferred Provider Organizations

  • Private Fee-for-Service Plans

  • Special Needs Plans

  • Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans

If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan:​

  • Most Medicare services are covered through the plan

  • Medicare services aren't paid for by Original Medicare

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Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part D 

(Prescription Drug Coverage) 

Part D adds prescription drug coverage to:

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  • Original Medicare

  • Some Medicare Cost Plans

  • Some Medicare Private-Fee-For-Service-Plans

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These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.

 

Medicare Advantage Plans may also offer prescription drug coverage that follows the same rules as Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

1

Do you want Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan like an HMO or PPO?

2

Do you want prescription drug coverage (Part D)?

3

Do you want supplemental coverage?

3 Decisions to Make:

OTHER OPTIONS​

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You may be able to save money or have other choices if you have limited income/ resources.

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You may also have other coverage, like employer or union, military, or veterans'  benefit.

 

  • Learn how:

Important Medicare Enrollment Dates

Turning 65...

Initial Enrollment

You can enroll...

  • 3 months BEFORE your birthday

  • The month OF your birthday

  • 3 months AFTER your birthday

Part D/Medicare Advantage 

Special Enrollment

  • You first become eligible for Medicare

  • You are on BOTH Medicare and Medicaid

  • Your current plan is terminated

  • You move to an area not covered by your plan

October 15 - December 7

Annual Enrollment

  • October 1 - you may begin to receive plan information

  • October 15th - enrollment begins​

  • December 7th - enrollment ends

  • January 1st - Choices made during Open Enrollment take effect

January 1 - March 31 

Open Enrollment

Once during Open Enrollment, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan you can switch back to Original Medicare.

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You CANNOT: 

  • switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan

  • Switch to a PDP from Original Medicare

  • Switch to Original Medicare if you have a Medicare Supplement plan

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