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 15th
End Date: December 7th
Items to note regarding the Annual Enrollment Period:
- 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 became effective.
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period
Start Date: January 1st
End Date: February 14th
Items to note regarding the Disenrollment Period:
- 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 1st
End Date: March 31st
Items to note regarding the General Enrollment Period:
- 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:
- 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.1.800.892.8826
