If you want additional health care coverage or need help paying some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, you have options! The federal Medicare health insurance program, including Part A and Part B, helps cover many expenses, but there are gaps in the coverage you may want to fill. Unless you have supplemental coverage, you will have to pay out of pocket for certain services like dental, vision care, prescription drug coverage, copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Direct Auto Insurance is extending our insurance offerings by uniting with Medicare.org to help Medicare beneficiaries research, compare plans, buy, and enroll in a health plan. In order to best meet the unique health insurance needs of Medicare-eligible individuals, including those 65 or older, a team of licensed insurance agents is available to help you find the right Medicare-approved plan at the right price! Call 844-961-9453 – TTY 711 to speak with a licensed agent today!
Learn More About Medicare
What are the different parts of Medicare?
- Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) are parts of the U.S. government’s healthcare program often referred to as “Original Medicare.”
- Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage [“MA”]) is offered through private insurance companies and must include all the benefits offered by Original Medicare, but many MA plans offer additional benefits like vision and dental care, hearing exams, and prescription drug coverage.
- Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) is stand-alone prescription drug coverage sold by private insurance companies to people enrolled in Part A and/or Part B. Each prescription drug plan’s formulary, or list of covered prescription drugs, and pricing can vary.
- Medicare Supplement Insurance (“Medigap”) is a policy that helps pay costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Those enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are eligible to purchase one of the 10 standardized plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N sold by private insurance companies.
Am I Eligible for Medicare Insurance?
Medicare is health insurance that is generally available to people who are:
- 65 or older and meet the citizenship and residency requirements.
- Under 65 with certain disabilities.
- Of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
If you are just aging into Medicare or are reaching eligibility due to certain disabilities, you can choose to receive your benefits from either Original Medicare or through a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan. If you choose to get your benefits through Original Medicare, you may want to consider supplemental insurance (Medigap) or a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). Please keep in mind that there may be late enrollment penalties if you do not enroll in prescription drug coverage when you are first eligible. You may also consider buying a Medigap policy to help cover some of the costs that Original Medicare does not, including coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles. You have a Medigap Initial Enrollment Period during which you are guaranteed the right to buy a Medigap policy. After that enrollment period ends, you may be subject to medical underwriting and higher costs, and can be turned down for coverage.
If you are already enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B, you will likely be eligible to make changes to your insurance coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period. For instance, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan, or keep your Original Medicare coverage and enroll in a stand-alone Part D Plan. If you are interested in enrolling in a Medigap plan after your initial enrollment period has ended, you may want to research your options.
What Is Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period?
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), runs for approximately seven weeks from October 15th through December 7th. This is when millions of Americans can make changes to their existing Medicare plan or enroll for the first time if they missed their seven-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). We encourage you to begin the process early to give yourself ample time to make the most informed decision.
Purchasing Medicare Products
Not sure what to select? When you're ready to take the next step, our friends at Medicare.org* can help you choose a health insurance option that meets your needs. Compare plans at Medicare.org to see side-by-side comparisons for Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap), and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). Call 844-961-9453 – TTY 711 to speak with a licensed agent who can help you determine which Medicare plan is best for you. Representatives can help you review your Medicare plan options, compare benefits and costs, and find a cost-effective plan that meets your specific health insurance needs.