Medicare 101
The Basics of Medicare
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and people under age 65 with certain disabilities and certain types of kidney disease or ALS.
Who is eligible for Medicare?
Age: You generally become eligible for Medicare when you turn 65.
Disability: If you are medically disabled and on disability for two years or more before the age of 65.
End Stage Renal Disease: If you have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: If you have ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Additional requirements may apply.
When to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan?
There are four main enrollment periods every year:
-
Initial Coverage Enrollment Period (ICEP)
This is when you first become eligible for Medicare. -
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
Between October 15 and December 7 -
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)
Between January 1 and March 31 -
Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)
There are special circumstances that allow changes at other times during the year. Learn more about SEP here.
Medicare 101
What are the different parts of Medicare?
Medicare 101
What are the Enrollment Periods?
Viva Medicare Plans