Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for people aged 65 and older, as well as those under 65 with certain disabilities or medical conditions.

Medicare provides important healthcare coverage for eligible individuals, but it’s important to understand the coverage options, costs, and enrollment periods to make the most of your benefits.

For more information on Medicare enrollment and coverage, speak with an Enhance Health representative right now.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage primarily to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those under 65 with certain disabilities or medical conditions. Specifically, the following groups of people are eligible for Medicare:

• Individuals aged 65 and older who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents and have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years.
• Individuals under 65 with certain disabilities, such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), or permanent disabilities that prevent them from working.
• Individuals of any age with ESRD (also known as kidney failure) who need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Individuals of any age with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

If you or a loved one meets any of these eligibility criteria, you may be able to enroll in Medicare and receive healthcare coverage.

For more information on Medicare enrollment and coverage, speak with an Enhance Health representative right now.

Depending on your situation, there are several times when you can enroll in Medicare:

1. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): If you’re eligible for Medicare based on age, you can enroll in any part of Medicare during a 7-month period that starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after your birthday month. This is called your IEP.
2. General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you missed your IEP, you can still enroll in Medicare during the GEP, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
3. Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you have a qualifying event, such as losing employer coverage, moving out of your plan’s service area, or becoming eligible for Medicaid, you may be eligible for a SEP to enroll in Medicare.
4. Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): If you’re already enrolled in Medicare, you can make changes to your coverage during the AEP, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

It’s important to understand these enrollment periods to ensure you don’t miss out on Medicare coverage or face penalties.

For more information on Medicare enrollment and coverage, speak with an Enhance Health representative right now.

If you miss the enrollment deadline for Medicare, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty and you may have to wait until the next enrollment period to sign up for coverage. Here’s what you need to know:

• Part A: If you or your spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you’re generally eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) when you turn 65. If you miss your initial enrollment period (IEP), you can still sign up for Part A during the general enrollment period (GEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty of up to 10% of the Part A premium for twice the number of years you were eligible but didn’t enroll.
• Part B: If you miss your IEP for Medicare Part B (medical insurance), you can enroll during the general enrollment period, but you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty of up to 10% for each full 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll. You may also have to wait until the following July 1 to start your coverage.
• Part C and Part D: If you miss your initial enrollment period for Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period (OEP) to sign up. The OEP for Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

It’s important to enroll in Medicare on time to avoid late enrollment penalties and gaps in coverage.

For more information on Medicare enrollment and coverage, or to enroll right now, speak with an Enhance Health representative right now.

Here are the key differences:

• Coverage: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is provided directly by the federal government and covers hospital and medical insurance. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is provided by private insurance companies approved by Medicare and covers everything included in Original Medicare (except for hospice care, which is still covered under Part A).
• Cost: With Original Medicare, you generally pay a deductible for each part of Medicare, and then a coinsurance or copayment for the services you receive. With Medicare Advantage, you may pay a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium, as well as copayments or coinsurance for the services you receive.
• Network: With Original Medicare, you can go to any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. With Medicare Advantage, you may be restricted to a network of healthcare providers and may need to get referrals to see specialists.
• Additional benefits: Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits, such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage, as well as fitness programs or transportation services. Original Medicare does not offer these additional benefits.
• Administration: With Original Medicare, the federal government administers the program directly. With Medicare Advantage, private insurance companies administer the program, and you may need to follow their rules and procedures to get the coverage you need.

For more information on Medicare enrollment and coverage, speak with an Enhance Health representative right now.