09/02/2026
Medicare, A Brief Summary of How It Works.
Hi, I’m Bill, from Aware Insurance Services.
Selecting a Medicare plan can be complicated, but understanding a few basics about the available Medicare options can help you make the most of your Medicare coverage.
Part A: Hospitilization
Part B: Doctor Visits
There are two primary ways to obtain Medicare coverage, Original Medicare which is provided by the federal government and that covers hospitalization, which is Part A, and Part B insurance which is for doctor visits.
Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
Part D: Prescription Drug Plans
There is also Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage plans that cover part A, Part B and often Part D. Medicare Part D for prescription drug plans, and an all-in-one plan. These plans, however, are through private insurance carriers is often an HMO, but can sometimes be a PPO, which means that they will have networks. Most visits outside of these networks aren’t covered by the insurance and you would have to pay more out of pocket.
These plans come with extra benefits, such as Vision, Dental and Hearing, Often with Gym Memberships to help you stay healthy, ways to measure your progress with things like Fitbit watches, free Over the Counter products that renew every quarter, some roll over. Chiropractic and Acupuncture visits, along with transportation to and from doctor visits, if you need them.
Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans
There are also Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, which will fill the gap of Original Medicare. Original Medicare will cover 80% of the medical bills, you’re responsible for the other 20%. A Medicare Supplement Plan will cover cover the additional 20%, but there are usually monthly premiums and other charges depending on which plan you choose. The Medigap plans are plans A-N, with the exception of C & F, which are only allowed for people who were eligible before 2020. You cannot have a Medicare Supplement plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.
Making Changed to Your Medicare
There are certain times when you can enroll or disenroll from these plans. It’s important that you make changes at the right time because you might not be able to make any changes until the following Oct Dec. during the Annual Enrollment Period.
You can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan during the Open Enrollment Period which is Jan. to Mar. You can go back to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, but you could be subject to underwriting, which is not always approved because of health conditions.
Birthday Rule:
The Birthday Rule: You can enroll in Medicare Supplement plans from Original Medicare during and for two months after your birthday month, that’s called the birthday rule, without underwriting. This rule may be changing in your state, so check with your agent.
If you’re still employed, with your employer covered insurance, you might be able to keep that insurance and not apply for Medicare Part B and Part D, check with your employer because they would have the correct information and they will typically ask you to apply for Part A, to help with hospitalization coverage, which is usually at no charge, providing that you’ve worked 10 quarters out of your life. You can also check with a Licensed Insurance Agent, who has to meet yearly licensing requirements to be able to help seniors with their Medicare. Like I mentioned earlier, I have been extensively trained in this subject.
Now if this is still confusing to you, you can go to my appointment page, https://www.awareinsurance.com/book-an-appointment and book a no cost, free consultation appointment.
You will be speaking with a licensed insurance agent, or a licensed agent will contact you.
There are other rules that will apply but I just can’t fit them into this message. See, I bet you didn’t know all of that.
We don’t cover every plan in your area. For a full list go to medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare
Willie Ware
855-223-3023
[email protected]
www.awareinsurance/contact-us.
Thank you
