Get The Most From Medicare with Chapter

Medicare has four parts and each part offers specific coverage and varies in cost. Part A covers hospital care and related services. Part B covers doctor appointments and outpatient medical care. Part C covers the same benefits of Parts A and B but is offered by private insurers. Part D covers prescription drugs.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare refers to Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, which are managed by the federal government. People can see any doctor that accepts Medicare assignment and the government program pays a significant portion of the cost.

Read more here:

• Getting started with Medicare

• Medicare premiums explained

• How Much Do Medicare Premiums Cost?

You’re entitled to Medicare if you’re at least 65 and a U.S. citizen, or a permanent legal resident for the past five years. Medicare also covers some people under age 65 who have a disability, end stage kidney disease (ESKD), end stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS.

If you’re receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you'll be enrolled automatically in Medicare Part A, which covers hospital costs, and Part B, which covers doctor visits. If you want Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll yourself — that’s not automatic.

If you’re not receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll sign up for Medicare through the Social Security Administration website. You typically should do so in the seven-month window around your 65th birthday (which includes the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after your birthday month) to avoid permanent penalties and long waiting times for your insurance to start.

If you want Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, you would sign up during the six-month Medigap enrollment period, which starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. The private insurers who provide Medigap plans are required to take you if you sign up during that period. Otherwise, there is no guarantee they will sell you a Medigap plan, or they could charge you more for a plan.

How to enroll in Medicare

If you’re enrolling yourself, you can sign up in one of three ways:

1. Apply for Medicare online at Social Security’s site.

2. Call Social Security at 800-772-1213.

3. Contact your local Social Security office.

NOTE: The online application typically takes less than 10 minutes.

Medicare is an insurance program primarily serving people over 65 no matter their income level, and those on SSDI and with certain illnesses. Medicare is a federal program, and it’s the same everywhere in the U.S.

Medicaid is an assistance program, serving low-income people of all ages, and patient financial responsibility is typically small or nonexistent. Medicaid is a federal-state program, and it varies state to state.

Read more here: Medicare vs. Medicaid

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period lasts from October 15th - December 7th every year.

During the annual Open Enrollment Period, you can:

• Switch from a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan to Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

• If you do this, you may also enroll in a stand alone Prescription Drug (Part D) plan and/or a Medigap (aka Medicare Supplement) plan

• Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan

• Change from one Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan to another

• Add, drop, or change Prescription Drug (Part D) coverage

Chapter Advisors can provide you with an annual review of your coverage and help you shop around for better options. They can also help you submit any necessary paperwork, confirm your enrollment and provide you with year-round support and guidance. Your new coverage will come into effect on January 1, 2025.

Chapter is an independent Medicare advisor. They can recommend both Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, along with Part D Prescription drug plans. They can also help you enroll in Parts A & B, which are the two parts of Original Medicare.

Like many Medicare advisors, they earn a fee paid by insurance companies.

They recommend coverage options for you by searching among all available options, not just from those companies that pay them. They search among thousands of plans available nationwide to find the best plan for you.

During your phone call with a Chapter Advisor, they will ask you questions about your providers, prescriptions and priorities. Then, they’ll walk you through the Medicare decisions you need to make.