Your Guide through the Medicare Maze
Medicare
Are you a current Medicare customer or will soon become eligible?
Finding the Medicare Supplement Plan to support your enrollment in original Medicare is our specialty. When you set an appointment with us, we'll go over eligibility requirements, enrollment timing, how Original Medicare works, what is a Medicare supplement policy, what is Medigap, what is a stand-alone Prescription Drug plan and finally what is Medicare Advantage. Our goal is for you to feel confident in your knowledge of how Medicare works and that knowledge will support you in the selection of your plan.
Medicare Plans at a Glance
Original Medicare
part a and b
Original Medicare includes Medical Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance often referred to as the part which pays for Doctors (Part B). Part A is at no cost, if you have worked a minimum of 10 years where you have paid Medicare taxes through payroll, there are exceptions to this rule that you can find on the Medicare.gov page below. Medicare Part B does have a premium. The average amount it set by the Federal Government each year. However the amount you pay is income adjusted so if you make more you will pay more. The details for how your income is evaluated for your Part B premium is available on the Medicare.gov site.
Medicare Advantage
part c
Medicare Advantage (Part C) includes the same benefits as Original Medicare Part A and B and
usually includes prescription drug coverage. Annual out of pocket maximums apply and may include other benefits for an additional premium.
Supplemental Medicare
aka Medicap
Medicare Supplement Insurance can cover some costs that Original Medicare does not cover. Examples include coinsurance, copayments and deductibles. Medigap policies are provided by private insurance companies.
How do I Apply for Medicare?
If you are new to Medicare and need to sign up for Parts A and/or Part B you can first try signing up on-line. Social Security is the agency that processes Medicare enrollments. You can visit
ssa.gov to select “Enroll in Medicare”. You will be asked to log in to your Social Security online account. If you do not have an account then you will be directed to sign up for an account.
If the on-line process is not right for you, please call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment at your nearest Social Security office.
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Meet with an agent in personor over Zoom to discuss which products and services are available in your area and determine a good product fit.
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Your agent will assist in the completion of your application.
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Your Agent will submit your application to the insurance company via their dedicated enrollment tools. Initial eligibility will be reviewed by Medicare. If approved, final approval will be processed by the insurance company.
How do I Apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan in Oregon or Washington?
There is NO COST to review and enroll a client into a Medicare Supplement plan.
Health insurance agents are compensated by the insurance company, not the client.
Health Benefits 411 is an independent agency. This means that we can offer plans from a variety of health insurance companies that are licensed to provide products in your area.
Each customer is different and reviewing plans from a variety of health insurance companies will allow Medicare eligible members to find the plan that will best fit their lifestyle, budget and access to medical providers.
Get Your Questions Answered Today
