Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People under age 65 with certain disabilities may also qualify and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant) qualify for Medicare.

You don’t have to enroll in Medicare if you already have a health care plan but once you’re Medicare eligible, it’s a good idea to compare your current health insurance policy against a Medicare health plan. Sometimes the costs are lower and coverage is the same or better than your employer’s coverage. It doesn’t matter if you are still working or haven’t yet received your Social Security income check.

If you want to know more about your specific Medicare options and plan-specific benefits we can help connect you with a local licensed insurance agent who can answer your questions. They will let you know when to apply for Medicare and even help you enroll in the plan that’s right for you.

Once you complete your enrollment paperwork, generally your proposed effective date will be on the fi rst of the following month. If you enroll during the open enrollment period, your plan will be effective on January 1 of the next year.

Medicare Advantage is commonly known as Part C. It is a type of Medicare insurance that combines Part A and Part B into a plan that not only covers the out-of-pocket expenses, but may provide additional coverage such as vision, dental, wellness programs, chiropractors and many more.

With a few exceptions, most prescriptions aren’t covered in Original Medicare. However, the government has contracted with private insurance companies that can offer you this coverage at an additional cost. If you are entitled to Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Part B, you can purchase Part D as a standalone program to cover prescription drugs.

The price of Medicare depends on you the health plan that you choose. Medicare is not free and you will pay a premium, which is often deducted from your Social Security check, for Part B along with an annual deductible and a percentage, usually 20%, of the total bill. Purchasing supplemental insurance can help contain costs associated with deductibles, co-payments and prescription drugs. When meeting with a licensed insurance agent, make sure you understand any coverage rules that may affect your costs by asking them the following questions.

1. How much your premiums, deductibles, and other costs will be?
2. How you’ll pay for services like hospital stays or doctor visits?
3. Is there a yearly limit on what you could pay out-of-pocket for medical services?

No, you’re not committed to your Medicare plan forever. You can make changes once a year during Medicare Open Enrollment, which takes place October 15 through December 7. You may also be able change your coverage other times if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You may qualify for an SEP if you retire and leave a health care plan sponsored by your employer or union or if you move out of your current plan’s service area. You should review your coverage each year to see if it still fits your needs.