What is Medicare?

Medicare is the government funded and administered health insurance program for:

• People 65 years of age or older
• People under age 65 with certain disabilities
• People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

 

 

What are the four parts of Medicare?

• Part A: Hospital Insurance
• Part B: Medical Insurance
• Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
• Part D: Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Who is eligible for Medicare?

To be eligible for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B you must be:

• 65 years old or older
• Qualified as disabled through Social Security, for at least 2 years
• A U.S. citizen or a legal resident of the U.S. for five consecutive years

When am I eligible to join Medicare?

You can first sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the 7 month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, including the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. The beneficiary can choose any type of Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Advantage (MA) Enrollment Options

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)

Begins three (3) months before and ends three (3) months after the month of the individual’s 65th birthday.  Beneficiary can choose any type of plan.

 

Annual Election Period

October 15 – December 7

Open Enrollment Period

January 1 – March 31 

Lock-In Period

April 1 – December 31