What is Medicare?

Medicare is government-run health insurance for the following:

• People 65 or older

• People under 65 with certain disabilities

• People of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

At Garry L. Johnson & Associates, we help you understand:

• What is covered on Original Medicare Part A and Part B

• The differences between Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans and help

  you decide which is best for you.

• How to select the appropriate Part D Plan and the prescription drug benefit.

• A big misconception: Does Medicare Cover Long Term Care?

• Open enrollment, when you are eligible, and how to avoid possible penalties. 

Dates to Remember

Annual Enrollment Period

Start Date: October 15, 2011

End Date: December 7, 2011

During this period you can:

• Those who have a Medicare Advantage plan may change plans or carriers, as long as the

  carrier is excepting new participants

• Those who have a Medicare Advantage may change to a Medicare Supplement, if Eligible

• Those who have a Medicare Supplement may drop their supplement and enroll in

  Medicare Advantage Plan

• Those with a Standalone  PDP Plan may drop or change to another carrier

• January 1, 2012 is when all changes will be effective

Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period

Start Date: January 1, 2012

End Date: February 14, 2012

During this period you can:

• Leave your Medicare Advantage Plan and switch to Original Medicare

• If you switch to Original Medicare you have until February 14th to join a Stand-alone

  Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

• You are not allowed to switch Advantage Plans or carriers during this period

Medicare’s General Enrollment Period

Start Date: January 1, 2012

End Date: March 31, 2012

During this period you can:

• Enroll in Medicare Part A & B, if eligible 

• Once you are enrolled in Medicare Part A & B you may purchase a Medicare

  Supplement, Medicare Advantage or Part D

Enroll In Medicare Parts A & B

• Part A is automatic at age 65.

• Initially refusing to enroll in Medicare        Part B leads to costly penalty.

• Original Medicare (Parts A and B),            does NOT cover:

-  Acupuncture

-  Dental care and dentures (in

   most cases)

-  Cosmetic Surgery

-  Custodial care (help with bathing,

   dressing, using the bathroom,

   and eating) at home or in a

   nursing home

-  Health care you get while

   traveling outside of the United

   States (except in limited cases)

-  Hearing aids and hearing exams

-  Orthopedic shoes

-  Outpatient prescription drugs

   (with only a few exceptions)

-  Routine foot care (with only a few

   exceptions)

-  Routine eye care and most

   eyeglasses

-  Routine or yearly physical exams

-  Certain screening tests

-  Certain shots (vaccinations)

*This list is not all inclusive.  For more information online, visit www.medicare.gov.

Garry L. Johnson & Associates, Inc.

3850 E. Baseline Road, Suite 121, Mesa, AZ 85206

phone (480) 892.8826   toll free (800) 892.8826   fax (480) 892.0927

Did You Know?...

Enroll in Medicare Parts A & B Online if you meet the following requirements:

1.800.892.8826

• Are at least 64 years and 8 months     old,

• Want to sign up for Medicare but do    not currently have ANY Medicare         coverage,

• Live in the United States or one of       its commonwealths or territories, and

• Do not want to start receiving Social    Security benefits at this time. (If you    aren't sure, you can apply for              Medicare now and apply online for      benefits later.)

Medicare Options

Part A - Hospital Insurance

• Automatic at age 65

• This plan helps cover inpatient care in hospitals

• Also helps cover skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health care

Part B - Medical Insurance

• Helps cover doctors' services, hospital outpatient care, and home health care.

• Helps cover some preventive services (e.g., flu shots, mammogram screenings, etc.) to

  help maintain your health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse.

Part D - Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

• A prescription drug option run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

• Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.

• May help lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the

  future.

Advantage Plan (Also known as Part C)

• Health plans run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

• These plans will provide Part A and Part B coverage.  They may also offer extra coverage,

  such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs.  Most include a

  Part D coverage plan as well.