Medicare FAQs
Do you have questions about Medicare Insurance? Check out various Medicare questions and answers through the topics linked below.
General Medicare Insurance Information
How do I enroll in Medicare?
How and when you’re able to enroll in Medicare varies based on your circumstances. However, anyone turning 65—or anyone under 65 with a disability or other special situation—may enroll.
How do I use my Medicare Card?
Your Medicare Card shows whether you have Medicare Part A, Part B or both. You’ll also receive an additional card if you choose to have a Medicare Advantage Plan Part C. Be sure to carry your cards with you and let your doctor, hospital or other health care provider see your cards if you need medical care.
How do I switch Medicare plans?
Each year, you have a chance to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage for the following year during the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). You can also make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which applies in instances such as moving or losing other insurance coverage. There are certain rules about when you can make changes and the type of changes you can make are different for each SEP.
When will I get my new ID cards?
Your carrier should supply these to you within 2-3 weeks of enrolling.
Who do I contact if I have a claim?
If you have a claim, you should always contact the insurance company that your policy is through.
What happens after you enroll?
After you enroll through SelectQuote, a personal customer care agent will contact you to make sure the new policy goes into effect, answer any additional questions you have and make sure you have all the resources you need. You should also receive all plan materials from your carrier within 2-3 weeks.
Do zero-premium plans exist? How do they work?
Yes. However, they may not be the cheapest Medicare Advantage offerings in your state. They tend to include higher prescription drug costs, copayments and deductibles.
Will I have to go through underwriting?
You might have to go through underwriting. If you’re enrolled in Medicare and choose to add a Medicare Supplement plan to your original coverage, the private insurer might require underwriting before selling you a Medigap policy. However, you can avoid underwriting by selecting a Medigap plan during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
How do I change my primary care physician?
To change your primary care physician, please talk to your carrier by calling the number on your card.
Medicare Insurance Coverage
Does Medicare cover dental?
Original Medicare doesn’t cover dental, but some Medicare Advantage plans can have dental coverage built in. If you pick a plan that doesn’t have it built in, we can help you with a stand alone dental plan.
Am I covered if I travel?
Whether you’re covered or not during travel depends on the plan you’ve purchased. For example, some Medigap plans provide for foreign travel emergency care while some plans do not. If you often travel outside the United States, that will be important to keep in mind while enrolling, to ensure you’re getting a plan with the type of coverage you need.
Why would I need extra coverage in addition to Medicare Part A and Part B?
While Part A pays the majority of Medicare-approved hospital costs, you will be responsible for paying things like deductibles and coinsurance. In addition, Medicare only pays approximately 80% of your Medicare-approved doctor visits, procedures and tests and you’re responsible for the other 20%. A Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) may help keep your healthcare costs more affordable and many Part C plans can include Part D prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Enrollment Periods
What is the General Enrollment Period?
The General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs from January 1-March 31 and is an opportunity for some individuals to enroll in Original Medicare if you didn’t enroll during the Initial Enrollment Period and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
What is the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period?
Open enrollment for a Medicare Supplement or “Medigap” Plan last for 6 months beginning the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. Some states have an open enrollment period for eligible individuals under the age of 65, and a second enrollment period when they turn 65. If you are under 65, check with your state insurance department for guidelines.
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)?
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is when Medicare Advantage policyholders are eligible to make a one-time plan change. OEP runs from January 1-March 31 each year. During OEP, Medicare Advantage members are eligible to:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
- Drop their Medicare Advantage plan
- Return to Original Medicare
- Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan if returning to Original Medicare
What is the Initial Enrollment Period?
The Initial Enrollment Period for Part A and Part B starts 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.
What is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—also referred to as The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Enrollment Period or the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment—allows you to make changes to your Medicare Advantage coverage and runs October 15-December 7 each year.
Medicare Insurance Parts
How do I know if I have Medicare Part A and B?
It will be clearly stated on the front of your red, white and blue Medicare card under the heading “is entitled to.”
Do Medicare Advantage Plans include Prescription Drug Coverage?
Most Medicare Advantage plans include Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D).
What is Medicare Advantage?
A Medicare Advantage plan includes all the benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B, but these plans may also include additional benefits like hearing, dental, vision and fitness programs, as well as Medicare prescription drug coverage as a part of the plan. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.
Do I need a Prescription Drug Plan?
Whether you need a Prescription Drug Plan or not is completely up to you. A Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) is insurance that helps protect you against high out-of-pocket drug costs, but if you decide not to join a plan when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable Prescription Drug coverage, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty later. Even if you don’t take many prescriptions now, you should consider joining a Prescription Drug Plan when you’re first eligible.
What are Medicare Part A and Part B?
Medicare Part A helps cover most medically necessary hospital care, skilled nursing care facility care, nursing home care, hospice and home health services. There is a monthly premium for Part A, but many people qualify for premium-free Part A*.
Medicare Part B helps cover most medically necessary services, preventive care, lab tests, x-rays and some health and ambulance services. You pay a monthly premium for Part B.
*If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 calendar quarters (10 years)
What benefits do Medicare Supplement Plans provide?
Medicare Supplement Plans provide additional benefits to help fill in the gaps of Medicare Part A and Part B coverage, like covering 20% of coinsurance that Medicare doesn’t pay for. However, Medicare Supplement Insurance does not provide drug coverage, so you may want to consider a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) for that.
What is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
Medicare Supplement plans add additional benefits to those provided by Medicare Part A and Part B. As of January 2020, there are 8 Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (A to N), with plan G providing the broadest coverage. All eight plans are standardized and identical from one insurance carrier to another.
SelectQuote Medicare Insurance Information
What companies does SelectQuote represent?
Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, Cigna, Devoted Health, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Oscar Health, Scan, Silverscript, UnitedHealthcare and Wellcare.
How confidential is my information?
Your information is 100% confidential. We not only value your business, but we also value your privacy and follow all HIPAA laws.
How does SelectQuote pick the companies it represents?
We select the carriers we represent based on their AM Best Financial rating for financial strength, ability to pay claims and being consumer friendly.
Are SelectQuote’s services free?
Yes, SelectQuotes services are free. There is no cost or obligation to enroll when you work with us and it will never cost you extra to purchase through us.
Do I pay SelectQuote or my new insurance company?
All billing will be handled by your new insurance company. Your rate is based on the payment option you’ve selected through your SelectQuote licensed sales agent.
