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The Medicare information you need is right at your fingertips. Review the options available to you, including cost, coverage and more. You can also do a side-by-side comparison of the different plans in your area to see which one best fits your needs.

What are you waiting for?

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  • Benefits and features of Medicare Advantage*, Medicare Supplement (Medigap)* and Original Medicare:

    • All help pay for hospital visits.
    • All help pay for some medical care, like doctor visits.
    • All help pay for preventive services, like flu shots.
    • Only Medicare Advantage helps pay for prescription drugs.
    • Only Medicare Advantage covers routine vision exams.
    • Only Medicare Advantage covers hearing exam and hearing aids.
    • Only Medicare Advantage covers routine dental care.
    • Only Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement limit your out-of-pocket costs.
    • Only Medicare Advantage covers transportation.

    *Benefits vary by plan.

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When to sign up for Medicare

You have a seven-month window of time to sign up for a Medicare plan:

  • Three months before the month you turn 65
  • The month of your birthday when you turn 65
  • Three months after the month you turn 65

If you plan to keep working after turning 65, you're still eligible for Medicare. It may offer better coverage than an employer-sponsored plan and save you money.

Optum offers health care that's built around you. Find a doctor near you. 

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Work with a helpful licensed insurance agent

We can connect you with an independent, licensed agent who will:

  • Meet with you one-on-one
  • Answer your questions and explain how Medicare works
  • Show you how to contact the Social Security office to enroll in Medicare
  • Talk with you about your current plan and what it covers
  • Help you keep your doctor and the network you know and trust

There is no obligation to enroll. Insurance agents who speak languages other than English are available.

FIND AN AGENT

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Contact Medicare to learn about plans 

You can also contact Medicare to learn about plans: 

  • Visit medicare.gov. 
  • Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Attend a Medicare event

Attend a no-cost event near you to learn more about Medicare. A sales representative will be there to answer your questions and help you enroll. There is no obligation to enroll. 

Find event

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Top 10 Medicare facts

  1. Be sure you’re covered by the time you turn 65. Sign up during your initial enrollment period. It starts three months before your birthday month and ends three months after your birthday month. 
  2. Medicare is divided into three parts: Part A, Part B and Part D.
  3. Original Medicare (Part A and B) is offered through the federal government. 
  4. Original Medicare is the same across the United States.
  5. Part C, known as Medicare Advantage, combines Part A and B.
  6. Part D covers prescription medications. 
  7. Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription medication (Part D) plans are offered by private insurance companies. 
  8. Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription medication (Part D) plans may be offered only in certain counties, states or regions.
  9. MediGap, also called a Medicare Supplemental plan, can help pay for costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay.
  10. You have a lot of choices. But you don't have to figure it out on your own. With help, you can find a plan that’s right for you.
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Medicare FAQ

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  • Medicare is a health insurance program. You may qualify for Medicare if you are: 

    • 65 or older
    • Under age 65 with certain disabilities
    • Any age and have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant)
    OR

  • If you already have a health care plan, you don’t need to sign up. But it’s a good idea to compare your current plan to a Medicare health plan. Sometimes Medicare plans have lower costs and better coverage. 

    It doesn’t matter if you’re still working or haven’t started getting Social Security checks.

    OR

  • We can connect you with a licensed insurance agent* who can answer your questions. The agent can let you know when to sign up for Medicare and help you find a plan. You can even get help signing up. Call 1-844-363-8207, TTY 711. 

    We’ll connect you with an agent in your area.

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  • In general, a plan starts the first of the month after you send in your paperwork. If you sign up during the open enrollment period, your plan will start January 1 of the next year.
    OR

  • A Medicare Advantage plan is known as Part C. It covers everything that Part A and Part B covers. It may also include vision, dental, wellness programs, chiropractors and more. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover prescription medications.

     

    OR
  • In general, Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription medications. (There are a few exceptions.) If you have both Medicare Part A and Part B, you can buy a Part D prescription medication plan. 
    OR

  • The cost depends on the health plan you choose. You may need to pay a premium each month, as well as copays or coinsurance when you get care. You can buy supplemental insurance to help pay for these costs. 

    (Note: You can sign up to pay your premium from your Social Security check.) You may also have a deductible. A deductible is the total amount you pay for your care before your plan starts to pay. 

    When you meet with a licensed insurance agent, be sure to ask:

    • How much are the premiums and other costs? What is the deductible?
    • How will I pay for hospital stays or doctor visits?
    • Is there a limit on what I pay for out-of-pocket for medical services every year?
    OR

  • No. You can switch or drop plans during Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which takes place in the fall. You may also be able to make changes at other times if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). 

    Examples of an SEP are: 

    • You retire and leave an employer or union health care plan
    • You move out of your current plan’s service area

    Be sure to check your plan each year to see if it still fits your needs.

    OR
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* We can connect you with a licensed insurance agent in your area. The agent will review your health insurance plan options, answer your questions and even help you enroll.

Optum Sales Support Center connects those who qualify for Medicare with many resources. These include licensed insurance agents that sell Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans.