Everything you need to know, all in one place
Straight answers about Medicare, in plain English.
FAQs: The Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Sign Up for Medicare?
The timing of your Medicare enrollment largely depends on your and your spouse's employment status and the type of coverage you currently have. Below are key factors to consider to ensure you're making an informed decision.
Medicare Enrollment Periods
Knowing the various enrollment periods is critical to avoiding penalties and securing the best coverage.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
This is your first opportunity to enroll in Medicare. The IEP lasts for seven months, starting three months before and ending three months after your 65th birthday. Enrolling during this period allows you to avoid penalties and ensures access to Medicare Part B and Supplemental plans without medical underwriting.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
You may qualify for a SEP if you delay Medicare due to having creditable coverage through your employer or if you lose coverage. Other qualifying events include moving out of your Medicare Advantage service area. Depending on the event, SEP lasts from two to eight months.
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
If you missed your IEP and don't qualify for SEP, the GEP (January 1 to March 31) is your next chance to enroll. However, enrolling during GEP may result in penalties, especially on your Medicare Part B premiums.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
Each year from October 15 to December 7, the AEP allows you to switch Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plans. Any changes you make will take effect on January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
Similar to the AEP, the Medicare Advantage OEP runs from January 1 to March 31, allowing individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to switch to a different plan or return to Original Medicare.
About MedicareHub
How does MedicareHub make money?
MedicareHub is an Insurance Brokerage that specializes in Medicare health plans. We provide completely free educational services and resources that help people find the best Medicare plan. We are contracted with insurance companies that pay us when we help enroll our clients into the correct insurance plans that meet their individual needs.
Are MedicareHub Team Members incentivized to push certain plans over others?
No. We have an agnostic approach to enrolling you into a plan. Our agents are employed agents and aren't paid more based on enrolling someone into a specific plan.
Is MedicareHub affiliated with any insurance companies?
No. We are an Independent Insurance Brokerage that is contracted with multiple insurance carriers that specialize in Medicare health plans. We market these plans in multiple states. We collect information from each of our clients based on their plan needs and find the plan that best fits each client's needs.
Is MedicareHub licensed?
Yes. We have an active insurance license to market health insurance plans in our home state and multiple non resident states. In addition, we certify annually to market and enroll Medicare beneficiaries into any Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan carriers.
Is it more expensive to buy insurance through MedicareHub?
No. Our services to you are at no cost and the insurance company plans are the same price regardless of the agent or agency you choose to work with to help enroll you. You don't get a discount or better cost for working with anyone else when enrolling into a plan of your choice. Costs are regulated by the federal government or state laws to ensure your protection.
Can MedicareHub get me a lower price on a Medicare plan?
No. The plans are either standardized by state or federal laws or rates have been approved yearly by CMS and the fixed copays, coinsurance, and benefits are reflected by the summary of benefits for certain plans you may choose. You can help lower your Part B premium unless you qualify for Medicaid within your state and qualify for assistance to pay or reduce your Medicare Part B cost.
Who We Represent
MedicareHub represents all major carriers, and ensures a client's plan meets their individual needs.
Which option is best for you?
Understanding Medicare
Medicare Part A
Part A of Medicare is your hospital insurance. This part of Medicare provides you a semi-private room for your hospital stay and with meals and medical services while you are in the hospital. It also helps cover common hospital expenses for services. A few such examples are hospice, home health care and skilled nursing facilities, as well as blood transfusions requiring more than three pints of blood.
Part A is premium-free for most people as long as they have worked at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) and paid into social security in the United States, or are married to someone who is at least 62 and has worked for that amount of time.
Sometimes particularly healthy people wonder if they may need only Part A. They do not take into account that there are many things that happen in a hospital that fall under another part of Medicare, Part B, so it's important that you enroll in both A & B unless you have other coverage coordinating with Medicare such as VA insurance.
Medicare Part B
Part B of Medicare is for outpatient services that are deemed medically necessary. Medicare Part B includes coverage for services like doctor office visits, lab testing, diagnostic imaging, preventive care, surgeries, ambulance rides, chemotherapy and radiation, and even extensive dialysis care for people with renal failure. Although many of these procedures may occur in a hospital, some may fall under Part B since they are provided by physicians, so it's not always easy to determine what is inpatient versus outpatient care.
Sometimes people will ask us if they really need Part B. The answer for most people is absolutely, especially if Medicare will be your primary coverage or only coverage.
Parts A and B together make up what we call "Original Medicare". They are the only two parts that you will sign up for at the Social Security office or Railroad Retirement Board. Even if you select a Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap), you will still sign up (and pay for) Medicare Parts A and B. Many people pay for their Part B premium directly from their Social Security check.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)
Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans typically combine Parts A, B and D in one plan; though, some Medicare Advantage plans are available without Part D prescription drug coverage (i.e. when you already have creditable prescription drug coverage through another source, such as the VA).
Medicare Advantage plans often include additional coverages such as vision, hearing care, dental and even gym memberships.
A Medicare Advantage plan may resemble a group plan you are used to from a previous employer. Often times, it will be an HMO, or a Networked group of doctors and medical practitioners. You will still be able to utilize the plan when out of your coverage area for covered Emergency and Urgent care services. However, it's important to bear in mind, your Primary Care Physician and main network of medical specialists will be within the Network. Additional perks of Medicare Advantage Plans may include Over the Counter credits which are added to your account quarterly.
Medicare Part D
Part D is your prescription drug coverage. Unlike Medicare Part A and B, you will not enroll in Part D through the Social Security office. Instead, you will select one of the Part D plans available in your area from private insurance carriers.
Medicare drug plans are optional. You'll have a monthly premium that you will pay to the insurance carrier. In return, they give you significantly lower copays on your medicines than you would pay if you had no Part D insurance.
There are rules for when you can enroll and disenroll from these drug plans. Like Parts A and B, if you do not sign up for Part D, you will face penalties if you enroll later. Please note that since most Medicare Supplement plans do not provide creditable Part D coverage, you will want to enroll in Part D separately to avoid penalties down the road if your plan does not.
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement Insurance (aka Medigap) are used to help pay for some of the healthcare services covered/allowed by Medicare but not fully paid for. In other words, it helps fill some of the gaps of Original Medicare coverage.
There are different Medicare Supplement Plan Options. G and N are the most popular plans available on the market currently.
The 3 Gaps Medicare Doesn't Close
A major health event like Cancer, Heart Attack, or Stroke comes with costs that go far beyond the medical bill. We'll help you prepare so you can focus on healing, not expenses.
The Reality of "The Big 3"
Medicare is excellent at paying for the surgery or the chemo. However, a major diagnosis like Cancer, Heart Attack, or Stroke often creates "hidden costs" that can drain a retirement nest egg quickly:
Travel & Lodging: Seeking the best specialists often means staying away from home.
Home Modifications: Making your living space accessible during recovery.
Non-Medical Bills: Mortgages, utilities, and groceries continue even when you can't.
Family Support: Costs for loved ones to take time off work to be by your side.
How We Close the Gaps
We offer simple, affordable plans that pay a Tax Free Lump Sum directly to you upon diagnosis.
No Restrictions: You decide how to spend the money.
Immediate Relief: Use it for the mortgage, a specialized treatment, or even just to keep the lights on while you recover.
Confidence: You'll know that a health crisis won't become a wealth crisis.