Medicare 101

Navigating eligibility, plan options, enrollment, and more

When you and/or your spouse become Medicare eligible, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Part A and B begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes your birthday month, and continues three months after your birthday month. If you do not enroll in Part B during your IEP, you may be charged a monthly Late Enrollment Penalty for the entire time you are enrolled.

 

Retiree Medicare Basics Brochure

Medicare Supplement Plans

Original Medicare Parts A and B do not pay for all of the covered health care services. These plans, also called MedSupp or Medigap policies, are sold privately to help pay some of the remaining costs including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans include Parts A and B along with additional benefits, including HMO and PPO plans. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage and some feature additional coverages such as dental, vision and hearing.

Part D Coverage

Part D prescription drug coverage is available to U.S. residents who are enrolled in either Part A or B (or both). Each year, after you satisfy the plan deductible (if your plan has one), you will share in teh cost of prescription drugs purchased at the pharmacy.