MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
News: 4/1/2025 – Californians in all counties are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan using the Disaster/Emergency Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This opportunity is available and will remain open until further notice.
Are you turning 65 and new to Medicare?
If you’re turning 65, it’s time to start thinking about Medicare. To avoid late enrollment penalties, you should sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. Part A covers hospital insurance, while Part B covers medical services. However, Original Medicare does not include prescription drug coverage and can leave gaps in coverage—often requiring a separate Medigap policy to help with out-of-pocket costs. That’s where Medicare Advantage can be a smarter choice. Once you have both Part A and Part B, you’re eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. These all-in-one plans combine Parts A, B, and often D, and also offer valuable extras like dental, vision, hearing, transportation, fitness programs, and more—often with low or even $0 monthly premiums.
When it comes to choosing a Medicare Advantage plan that fits your health needs and budget, nothing compares to the help of a broker. The benefit is simple: you get unbiased guidance and expert support in comparing a wide range of plans from multiple trusted providers, ensuring you find the option that’s best for you. As an independent licensed broker in California, I work with trusted names like ALIGNMENT HEALTH, SCAN, ASTIVA HEALTH, AETNA, and IMPERIAL HEALTH to offer you a wide range of options. Contact me today—I’m here to help make Medicare easy!
WHAT is MEDICARE
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older or those with certain disabilities. It includes Part A (hospital coverage), which is usually free if you’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes, and Part B (doctor visits and outpatient care), which typically has a monthly premium. But these two parts don’t cover everything—there’s no prescription drug coverage, no dental, and no cap on out-of-pocket costs. You’ll need to pay separately for Part D (prescription drugs) and/or a Medigap plan to help with additional expenses.
Medicare Enrollment Deadlines and Penalties: You must sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, which starts 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn 65 (your birthday month), and ends 3 months after. Exceptions apply for certain qualified individuals. If you miss this enrollment window, you could face a lifetime late enrollment penalty.
For more information about Medicare or to sign up online for Part A and Part B, visit the official Social Security Administration (SSA) website at SSA.GOV
WHY Consider MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ?
Medicare Advantage was introduced by the federal government to give you more options in how you receive your Medicare benefits and to help manage healthcare costs. These plans are offered by private insurance companies and include everything Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers—plus extra benefits, often with lower out-of-pocket costs. These additional benefits can include:
- Prescription drug coverage (Part D)
- Dental, vision, and hearing services
- Fitness programs like gym memberships
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) purchase allowances for everyday health items like pain relievers, vitamins, and first aid supplies
- Part B premium rebate may be offered by certain plans
- Grocery allowance is offered by some plans for individuals who also qualify for Medicaid
- Coordinated care through a network of doctors and specialists
This all-in-one approach makes healthcare easier to manage and can reduce the need for separate plans like Part D or Medigap.
Medicare Advantage is becoming the preferred choice—over 50% of all Medicare beneficiaries chose a Medicare Advantage plan in 2024. Want to learn more or see which plan fits your needs best? Contact us today—we’re here to help you find the right coverage.