Medicare 101

Say hello
to your Medicare resource

Senior Financial Group is here to help you navigate your Medicare choices including coverage options and all associated costs.

Our dedicated and experienced staff strives to empower our clients and caregivers to make sound health and life insurance decisions so you can be prepared for the road ahead.

START YOUR JOURNEY

Medicare Simplified

Health coverage doesn’t have to be complicated. With Medicare, you have different options to choose from so you can find the plan that best suits your needs. Get started by learning how Medicare works and what your coverage options are.

Medicare Insurance

Learn the basics of Medicare, including what it is, who is eligible and how it benefits you.

Parts of Medicare

Get to know the parts of Medicare, including A, B, C and D, as well as the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicare Costs

Despite common belief, Medicare is not free. Get the record settled on how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket.

Enrollment Details & Deadlines

Get prepared for upcoming Medicare enrollment deadlines.

Working Past 65

Planning on working past 65? Prepare your Medicare timeline so you know what’s coming upon retirement.

Applying for Medicare

If you’re turning 65 and retiring, now is the time to start the Medicare enrollment process.

READY TO GET STARTED?

The process is easy!

1

Tell us what you need

Make a list of your current prescriptions, doctors and specialists, plan changes and questions.

2

Talk to a Benefits Consultant

Meet with a licensed, local benefits consultant at Senior Financial Group for a no-cost personalized assessment.

3

Make changes to your Medicare plan

Compare plans and sign up for a new one if warranted.

OUR HAPPY CLIENTS

We’ve helped thousands of Medicare beneficiaries and their families.

We strive to help our neighbors find a comprehensive insurance plan that offers security and complete coverage.

Marquetta Smith
Read More
In the midst of all the Medicare supplemental options, I was at a loss of full understanding until I was fortunate to call Jennifer Lucas at Senior Financial Group. She was so professional and patient with helping me assess my options. Not only did she make my options understandable, but in the end, I was able to have improved coverage with less cost to me. I will be sharing my experience to everyone I know. Thank you so much Jennifer.
Stephen Levy
Read More
I am floating on a cloud after getting the advice from SFG. In particular, I want to personally thank Jerry Emert for saving me such a substantial amount of money for 2023-year prescription expenses.
Sharon Essery
Read More
Ms. Karen Hambrick has been one of the nicest knowledgeable people I have spoken to in regards to our healthcare coverage. I really appreciate the time she took to help me with what my husband and myself needed. Thanks again Karen.
Previous
Next

You Ask, We Answer

Read more on some of our most frequently asked Medicare questions.

Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program that covers:

  • People turning 65 and older.
  • Those with End-Stage Renal Disease, which is kidney failure that requires dialysis or a transplant.
  • Some people under 65 with certain disabilities.
  • Beneficiaries must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident for five continuous years.

There are four parts of Medicare, each covers a specific service.

  • Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.
  • Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.
  • Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits.
  • Part D provides prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by private companies that contract with Medicare. To be eligible for Medicare Advantage/Part C coverage you must have both Parts A and B.

With Medicare Part C:

  • Monthly premiums vary by plan
  • Annual deductible and maximum out of pocket
  • Combines Part A and B coverage
  • Usually includes drug coverage

Original Medicare is a health plan that has two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). 

Original Medicare Part A helps cover:

  • Inpatient care in hospitals
  • Skilled nursing facility care
  • Hospice care
  • Home health care

Original Medicare Part B helps cover:

  • Services from doctors and other health care providers
  • Outpatient care
  • Home health care
  • Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, hospital beds, etc.)
  • Many preventative services (screenings, vaccines, etc.)

Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps to fill “gaps” in Original Medicare. Medicare Supplement/Medigap policies impose no hospital or medical network restrictions and do not replace Medicare. Instead, Medicare Supplements work alongside Original Medicare and pay the cost that remains after Original Medicare has paid, in accordance with the plan documents. 

A Medicare Supplement Insurance/Medigap policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, like:

  • Deductibles – ex. Part A/Hospital Deductible.
  • Copayments – ex. Emergency Room and Medical Doctor Copays.
  • Coinsurance – ex. Part B 20% Coinsurance.
  • Excess Charges – ex. Part B Excess Charges.

You are eligible for Medicare upon turning 65, however, when you enroll depends on if you plan to continue to work past your 65th birthday and if you still have health insurance from your employer.

If you plan to retire prior to your 65th birthday, you have a 7-month window to enroll in Part A. The enrollment period begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after your birthday month. After the seventh month, a late enrollment penalty may apply.

If you plan to keep working past 65, are working for a company with 20 or more full-time employees, AND you are covered through their group health insurance, you may not need all parts of Medicare when you turn 65.

You can sign up for Part A (which is free for most people who have worked at least 10 years) and delay premium-based Part B and/or Part D without incurring a penalty and sign up for Parts B and D later when you retire or lose your job-related insurance. When you do retire, you will have a special election period to sign up for Parts B and D penalty free.

If you are planning to keep your employer’s coverage, you’ll want to compare those cost and benefits against Medicare to decide which is the most cost effective.

 

Ready to get started?

Begin your Medicare journey by scheduling a free consultation with a Medicare Advisor.

Get your free Medicare resource

Maximize your Medicare benefits and avoid costly errors with our comprehensive e-guide.

Download ‘Five Common Medicare Mistakes to Avoid’ now!

Fill out the form below to download your copy! It's 100% free!
Name(Required)