It is important to know how the dates work when enrolling in Medicare to get the most out of it. Initial enrollment in Original Medicare, Part A or Part B, happens automatically if you are about to turn 65 and already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits. If not, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during the Initial Open Enrollment.

Centene, a major insurance company that has widely expanded under the Affordable Care Act, announced its intention to buy WellCare, a smaller company based in Florida, for about $15.3 Billion. This deal would mean the creation of a health care giant selling health plans under the huge government programs Medicare and Medicaid. The combined company is expected to cover 22 million people in all 50 states.

Following CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna there are some questions to be answered about how this affects Medicare Insurance, specially Part D…

To add up to the Medicare confusion comes this question: “What happens if I enroll in Medicare, then go back to work using my employer’s insurance, then leave work again?” Well it is more simple than it sounds. It follows the same rule as if you had left work coverage after turning 65. You get a Special Enrollment Period which you can use to enroll back into Medicare.

Having Diabetes usually leaves seniors confused about what Medicare covers. With all the drugs, supplies and various other needs, it can all become quite a mess. Here you will find the answers to how Medicare covers Diabetes Treatment and Supplies.

If you have missed your Medicare Supplement initial enrollment period when you are first eligible for Medicare Part B, you might think, “I’m out of luck.” But that’s not always the case. There are a few options….

When you first turn 65, you have a window to enroll in Medicare Advantage and your Medicare Prescription Drug coverage, which you can check using our Deadline Calculator. If for any reason you miss your deadline to enroll, don’t worry. You still have a couple of chances to get Medicare Advantage or your Part D.

In the event that you missed your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and need to enroll in Medicare, don’t despair. You can still enroll during Special Enrollment Period (SEP) or the General Enrollment Period.

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you have a right to switch to a Medigap Plan (Medicare Supplement) without health review under certain limited circumstances. Normally you have a one year Medicare Advantage trial period after which you can dis-enroll and purchase a Medigap Plan. In Maine, this trial period is three years long.

Medigap policies handle preexisting conditions in a few different ways. Enrolling in a Medigap plan during your initial enrollment period is your best bet to avoid the pitfalls of preexisting conditions. You are guaranteed to be approved regardless of your current health. This doesn’t mean you’re covered right away, though. Let us explain….