Brenda Lyle – Florida Today
Q:What Do I Need to Know about Medicare?
A:October 15 begins the Annual Election Period for Medicare. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for several groups of people: Those age 65 and older, individuals under 65 who have been declared disabled, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Many people sign up for Medicare when they start receiving Social Security benefits. However, if you turn 65 but plan to delay Social Security (not yet full retirement age), you can still enroll in Medicare independently.
The Medicare Alphabet
At age 65, you become eligible to enroll in:
- Part A – This covers hospitalization, skilled nursing facility stays, and some home health care. This is free for most people.
- Part B – This covers outpatient care, such as doctor visits, preventive services, medical supplies, and more. You will pay for this coverage.
- Part D – This helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. You will pay for this coverage.
Supplemental Coverage
To help with costs not covered by Medicare, many people choose a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan. These plans help cover deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. The level of coverage depends on the specific plan you choose.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Alternatively, you may choose a Medicare Advantage Plan instead of traditional Medicare. These are offered by private insurers and often include additional benefits like dental, vision, or hearing coverage.
Important Enrollment Periods
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7
During this time, you can:- Switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Switch back to Original Medicare
- Enroll in or change a Part D plan
- Drop your Part D coverage
Changes made during AEP take effect on January 1 of the following year.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can:- Switch to a different Advantage Plan
- Go back to Original Medicare
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP):
Certain life events may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period:- Moving out of your plan’s service area
- Qualifying for Medicaid or Extra Help
- Moving into or out of a skilled nursing facility or long-term care hospital
Medicare Plan Specialists
If you haven’t noticed already, navigating Medicare can be daunting. At One Senior Place, licensed insurance specialists can guide you through the process (for free), whether you’re enrolling for the first time or considering a change to your current plan. Agent Joe Santiago explains: “Medicare choices and options can be overwhelming. Plan specialists help you understand how the plans really work– and it never costs you anything. ”
To register for seminars by Medicare specialists at One Senior Place locations in Viera and Altamonte Springs, visit OneSeniorPlace.com/events.
Brenda Lyle is a Certified Care Manager and Certified Dementia Practitioner with One Senior Place, Greater Orlando. One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Submit your questions to AskOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com. For immediate help, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.
