Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, are policies sold by private insurance carriers to cover the costs that Medicare does not, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. A supplement will cover its portion of the bill after Medicare has paid its part. Additionally, these plans can offer coverage for items Medicare does not, such as travel outside of the United States, chiropractic care, and fitness memberships.

In general, Medicare Supplement Insurance plans do not rely on a network of doctors, but rather, will allow you to see any physician as long as they take Medicare. Medicare Supplement Insurance plans do not include prescription drug coverage (Part D). Some plans may have more restrictions, so please check with your insurance carrier to confirm.

What is a Medicare Part D Drug Plan?

Part D of Medicare is Prescription Drug Coverage. You have two options when obtaining this coverage, stand-alone or within an MAPD (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug) Plan. Both types of plans are offered by insurance carriers and regulated by Medicare. Medicare outlines the dollar amounts for maximum deductibles, and the costs associated with the coverage gap. Each plan determines their specific formulary, or list of drugs covered, their medication tiers and the cost to you of each medication in the specific tiers.

When can I Enroll in Medicare?

Medicare is available to United States citizens and to legal residents who have lived in the United States for at least 5 years in a row. You may become eligible to receive Medicare benefits based on any one of the following:

Age
You’re 65 years old. You must be 65—your spouse’s age doesn’t count. 
Disability 
You’re under 65 and have a qualifying disability. Medicare eligibility begins after 24 months of receiving Social Security disability benefits. 
Medical Condition
You are any age and have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There are special Medicare eligibility rules for people with these conditions.

What is Travel Insurance?

Do not risk your health just because you're going on vacation! Add a travel health insurance plan through GeoBlue if you plan on traveling internationally. This plan can give you peace of mind, knowing your transportation back home will be covered in the event you fall ill or become injured overseas.

What is a Medicare Advantage plan?

Medicare Advantage Plans are also known as Part C of Medicare. These plans combine coverage for Part A and Part B of Medicare and sometimes Part D. Medicare Advantage Plans are provided by private insurance companies, but must cover all services covered by Parts A and B of Original Medicare. MA plans can also include additional services not covered by Medicare such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness and travel benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plans may come with a premium, sometimes zero, and are in the form of HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), PPFS (Private Fee For Service), SNP (Special Needs Plan), and MSA (Medicare Savings Account). They are provided by a private insurance company who has a contract with Medicare. Additionally, these plans will provide coverage within a specific network of doctors. It is important to make sure that your doctor and/or hospital is covered when choosing these types of plans.

What are the Medicare Enrollment Periods?

Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period (GEP) is like make-up time. It’s when you can enroll in Medicare if you didn’t sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. The GEP is January 1 - March 31 every year. You may have to pay a penalty for late enrollment.  Coverage takes effect on July 1.

Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

A Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows you to enroll in Medicare or change your Medicare coverage outside of standard enrollment periods without penalty. There are different SEPs that apply in specific circumstances, and each has its own rules about timing.

Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment 

Medicare supplement insurance may be added to Original Medicare at any time after you’re  enrolled in both Part A and Part B, but you have “guaranteed issue rights” only at certain times. If you join at other times you may have to pay more and you could be denied coverage. Get more information about Medicare supplement insurance.

Medicare Annual Enrollment

Medicare Annual Enrollment happens every year, October 15 – December 7. You can change your coverage choices during Medicare Annual Enrollment, if you choose to. Changes you make go into effect on January 1 of the following year. If you decide to keep your current plan, it will renew automatically for the next calendar year.

It’s a good idea to review your coverage annually. Medicare and private Medicare plans may change coverage and costs from year to year. You should receive an Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC, each fall that explains any plan changes taking effect the following year

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period gives you a chance to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. This time period happens every year, January 1 – March 31. You may use it only if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.  You cannot change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan at this time.

If you go back to Original Medicare at this time, you may enroll in a stand-alone Medicare prescriptions drug (Part D) plan until March 31 as well. Drug coverage is not provided with Original Medicare. You may incur a premium penalty if you don’t enroll in a Part D plan at this time and decide you want to later.

You may also want to consider adding a Medicare supplement insurance plan to help with some costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay, like deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance. Note that you may not have a guaranteed right to buy a plan at this time. You could be charged more or denied coverage. Be sure to check the laws in your state.