SUMMARY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE

1. Part A - Coverage for hospitalization, skilled nursing facilities and hospice
2. Part B - Coverage for medical services,  lab work, 
3. Part C - Another term for a Medicare Advantage plan
4. Part D - Coverage for prescription medications
5. Part E - Another term Medi-Gap also called a Medicare Supplement plan

1. 7 month window beginning 3 months prior to birthday month (unless your birthday is on the 1st of the month, you will be able to start a month early 
2. 24 months from the beginning of a disability diagnosis
3. Upon diagnosis of ALS
4. Already 65 and losing creditable health insurance

*  If you are receiving Social Security benefits prior to turning 65, you will automatically receive your Medicare card in the mail a couple of months before your birthday month

1. Initial Enrollment Period - Based on effective date of Part A and/or Part B
2. Annual Enrollment Period - October 15th - December 7th annually with an effective date of January 1 of the upcoming year
3. Open Enrollment Period is January 1 thru March 31 - this period is available for changes from Medicare Advantage plans to different Medicare Advantage plan or returning to Original Medicare and a Prescription Drug plan
4. General Election Period is January 1 thru March 31 and the effective date of your Medicare will be the first of the month after you apply, this period is available for persons who did not enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period

1. "Original Medicare"  - includes Part A and Part B
2. "Prescription Drug Plan" - plans are offered by private insurance carriers for Part D - prescription medications coverage
3. "Medicare Supplement" or "Medi-Gap" - plans offered by private insurance carriers to provide additional coverage for "Original Medicare"
4. "Medicare Advantage Plan" - plans offered by private insurance carriers to cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for services based on the particular plan benefit schedule.  These plans may offer additional benefits not offered by "Original Medicare"

1. Click "Get Costs" in the first box "Learn what Medicare costs" 
2. Part E - Based on the plan and rate schedule provided by the private insurance carrier

1.  What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plan? 

Original Medicare:  A federal program which offers hospital and medical services with deductibles and co-insurance payments.  

A Medicare Advantage plan is offered by private insurance companies and must cover what  Medicare covers.  The plan will have a Summary of Benefits showing the cost related to the individual plan.  These plans are often HMO's, and may offer prescription drug coverage as well as additional benefits not offered by Medicare.  These plans will have specific providers and formularies for each plan.