New to Medicare
Turning 65 in central Oklahoma is a paperwork season. It does not have to be a confusing one.
The best time to start is about three months before the month you turn 65. Later still works. The costly version is guessing at the deadline.
The parts, in one sitting
Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage, and most people pay a monthly Part B premium. Together they are Original Medicare. Part A and Part B do not pay every dollar, and they do not cover most outpatient prescriptions.
Part D is drug coverage. You can buy it as a stand-alone plan next to a supplement, or you can get it inside many Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage, Part C, is a private plan that provides your Part A and Part B benefits, usually with drug coverage and sometimes with dental or vision extras. You still have Medicare, and you still pay Part B. You use the plan’s network and copays.
A Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, does not replace Medicare. It helps pay some of the deductibles and coinsurance Original Medicare leaves behind, and you can see any provider that accepts Medicare.
The choice most people are actually making
Supplement + Part D
Higher monthly premium, wide choice of doctors, and costs that are easier to predict when you need care. A fit if you see doctors in more than one city or you travel.
Medicare SupplementsMedicare Advantage
Often a lower premium, with copays as you go and a network to live inside. A fit if your doctors are in the plan and you like the extra benefits enough to use that network.
Medicare AdvantageWhat to bring to the first meeting
A list of prescriptions with the dose and how often you fill them. The names of your doctors, clinics, and hospitals. Your pharmacy. Any insurance you have now, especially employer or retiree coverage. If you already have a Medicare card, bring that too.
If you are still working, bring the employer plan’s summary. Delaying Part B is sometimes the right move and sometimes the start of a late-enrollment penalty. We read the coverage you have before we tell you which way to go.
Questions from people new to Medicare
When should I start if I am turning 65?
Start about three months before the month you turn 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period includes the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after.
Do you enroll me in Medicare Part A and Part B?
Part A and Part B enrollment goes through Social Security. We help you time that step and then compare the private coverage that sits beside it: a supplement and Part D, or a Medicare Advantage plan.
What if I am already on Medicare because of a disability?
Call us. People under 65 who already have Medicare have a different set of supplement rules in Oklahoma, and Advantage plans may be available. We will look at your situation rather than use the age-65 script.
For a non-selling explanation, you can also call the Oklahoma Medicare Assistance Program at 1-800-763-2828 or visit Medicare.gov. We are a licensed agency. Calling us connects you with a licensed insurance agent.