Medicare
Enrollment Period | Enrollment Dates | Who can enroll | Effective Date |
AEP or Annual Enrollment Period | Oct. 15th to Dec. 7th | Medicare eligible | January 1st |
IEP or Initial Enrollment Period | 3 months before 65th birthday, month of birthday and 3 months after | First eligible for Medicare | Month of birthday or Month following enrollment |
SEP or Special Enrollment Period | within 60 days of a triggering event | Beneficiaries who experience a trigger event | 1st of the month following enrollment |
General Enrollment Period* | Jan. 1 to March 31st | MA or MA-PD beneficiaries | 1st of the month following enrollment |
*only for those enrolled on a Medicare Advantage plan
Provider | Member Portal | Network Search | Drug Formulary |
Devoted | Member Portal | Network Search | Formulary |
Aetna | Network Search | Pharmacy | |
Wellcare | Quote | Provider Search | Formulary |
Cigna | Supplement quote | Medicare Website | |
Anthem | Quote | ||
Clearspring | Make a payment | Network Search | Covered drugs Find Pharmacy |
Silverscript | Pharmacy Locator Drug pricing tool | ||
Mutual of Omaha | Member Portal | ||
Medicare | Enroll & Manage | Shop for Medicare | |
Medico | Customer Portal | ||
UHC AARP | Member Portal | Find providers | Renew active fitness locator |
Humana | Member Portal | Network Search | Drug Lists Drug price calculator |
Select Health | Network Search | ||
Allstate | Network Search | ||
Medicare Insurance Direct | Network Search |
Those who are eligible in both Medicare and Medicaid can enroll in a plan all year long. Ask me about being dual eligible.
Open Enrollment period is annually from January 1 to March 31st and is for Medicare Advantage enrollee’s only
Turning 65? Or just becoming eligible for Medicare for the first time?
We have the answers you need!
Whether your eligible due to disability, aging in, or just coming off an employer plan, we can help.
Why Kennedy Insurance? Because we do things different, including go the extra mile. Our Agents KNOW medicare and have been selling medicare plans a long time.
We help you apply for your part B, and do a complete annalysis for your Part D so you never spend more for your prescriptions. We work with all carriers so we place you where your needs are met, with a plan perfect for you and your situation.
Medicare Basic Information
Medicare is health insurance offered by the federal government to people who are 65 or older and meet the eligibility requirements. Some people younger than 65 who have disabilities, permanent kidney failure or Lou Gehrig’s disease can also qualify. People of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) also qualify.
Medicare helps pay for healthcare, but does not cover all medical expenses. The United States Medicare System is managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
There are a few different routes you can take once eligible for Medicare. Once you get your Medicare parts A & B; you can choose to get a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), get a Medicare Supplement plan and Part D to supplement your original Medicare.
- Medicare Supplements, otherwise known as Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies which can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like Coinsurance, Copayments, or Deductibles.
- There are no networks with Original Medicare or Medicare Supplements. You can see any doctor that accepts Medicare.
- To enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B.
- You will also want to purchase a prescription drug plan (Part D)
- Generally, you will be able to choose a Medicare Supplement Plan A, B, D, G, K, L, M, or N that is sold in your state. C & F if you were 65 by January 1 2020.
- Cost is usually the only difference between supplement plans with the same letter sold by different insurance companies.
- Freedom from Networks and the ability to see any doctor at any time without referrals are big perks for these plans. National coverage anywhere in the US
- These plans are like HMOs or PPOs, and include Part A, B, and typically D.
- Medicare Advantage plans usually have defined networks and often include extra resources and services such as fitness programs, dental and vision benefits, nurse advice telephone lines, Care management programs, & over the counter benefits. Some may give you money back on your part B premiums.
- To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B.
- Most plans offer optional supplemental benefits you can add on for extra cost such as dental or vision benefits.
- $0 premium plans are available in most areas
- You can choose a new plan every year for open enrollment which starts October 15th and goes through December 7th.
Part A Inpatient care in hospitals. Skilled nursing facility, hospice and home health care.
Part B Physician services and supplies outside of the hospital. Outpatient care, durable medical equipment. Preventive services to help maintain your health.
Part C (Medicare Advantage) All benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B. Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. Usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), and may include extra benefits and services.
Part D Helps cover the cost of oupatient prescription drugs. Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. May help lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future.