FAQs

Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care are all covered by Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance). If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain period of time while working, you may be eligible for coverage.

Part B of Medicare helps to cover medical services such as doctor’s visits, outpatient care, and other services that Part A does not cover.

Medicare Advantage plans are referred to as Part C. A Medicare Advantage plan is through a private insurance company that provides Medicare coverage.

Part D (Medicare drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, which can help you save money and protect you from rising costs.

Open enrollment is from October 15-December 7 each year.

You become eligible for Medicare Part B during the first month of your 65th year and have already enrolled. This is a one time opportunity to enroll in which your current or previous medical conditions will not be considered. If you enroll after this time, your medical conditions may prevent you from receiving coverage.

Of course. If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part A or B during the initial enrollment period, you can do so during the general enrollment period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year.

If you sign up three months before your birthday, your coverage will begin on the first day of the month of your birthday. Your coverage will begin one month after you enroll if your birthday falls on the first of the month. If you enroll three months after your birthday month, your coverage will start three months later.

You can join, switch, or drop Medicare coverage plans during the annual enrollment period, which runs from October 15th to December 7th

As long as you’re enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, you can buy Medicare supplement insurance. This extra coverage will cover the remaining 20% that Medicare Parts A and B do not cover.

This is known as Medicare Part C, and it is provided by private insurance companies that have signed a contract with Medicare to provide you with additional coverage not covered by original Medicare.

Yes, you will still want Original Medicare as your employer Medicare will be secondary insurance to Original Medicare.

If you have worked for ten years or more, you are eligible for free Medicare Part A. You will be charged a premium if you have worked in the United States for less than ten years.

The cost of Medicare Part B is determined by your household’s gross income, which is updated each year and will fluctuate.

The cost of Medicare Part D is also determined by your income. There are approximately 20 different plans from which to choose.

The cost of Medicare Supplement Insurance varies significantly depending on the company and plan you choose.

Medicare Supplement fills in the gaps that normal Medicare doesn’t, but Medicare Advantage is a contract between Medicare and commercial insurance firms that provide additional services not covered by original Medicare.

If you refuse your employer’s group insurance plan in favor of Medicare, they will not pay for your Medigap coverage. There is one exemption under section 105, which we can explain in greater detail if you give us a call.

No, but your company isn’t required to offer a retirement plan after age 65, and the premiums may vary.

No, Medigap only covers you if your primary insurance is Medicare.

Yes, but there are a lot of things to think about. All of these decisions require careful cost comparisons between Medicare costs and the costs, copays, and deductibles of your group coverage. A J&J Medicare Solutions representative can walk you through it all and advise you on the parts you should think about. We’ll be the first to tell you if staying with your employer’s coverage makes sense.

We are a group of independent agents who can connect you with a Medicare expert and help you compare all of your insurance options in one place.

Part B is optional. It’s still a good idea to double-check how your current insurance will interact with Medicare and whether additional coverage is required.

Policies change every year, so its a good idea to go over any changes.

Because they don’t consider any past or current medical conditions against you, the best time to enroll in Medigap is when you first become eligible. If you buy Medigap later, the rates may be much higher, or you may be denied coverage since they can use your pre existing and current medical issues against you.

Medical conditions can strike at any time, so it’s better to be protected than to be saddled with high prescription prices.

No. You should enroll as soon as you become eligible.

No, you don’t have to wait for the annual election time, you can change anytime.

Work credits are not required for Medicare Part B and D, however there are premium options based on how many work credits you have.

Unfortunately no, you cannot have both an HSA and Part A plan simultaneously.

Absolutely! Open Enrollment is a great time to make any changes to your plan(s).

Most plans do not cover dental, vision, or hearing.

When you reach Medicare Parts A and B eligibility, you can enroll in Medicare Advantage. You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or make modifications to your current plan during the annual election period, which runs from October 15th through December 7th.

Prescription coverage is available in certain plans, but you must make sure you choose the proper one because not all plans cover medications. You should also make certain that the plan you choose covers the drugs you presently use.

Yes

The majority of health-care providers accept Medicare Advantage, but it’s always a good idea to double-check with us to make sure yours does.

Yes. Costs can differ between in-network and out-of-network.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantages are two different options that you can choose from. Please contact our office for more information on the best plan for you.