It’s Medicare Annual Enrollment. Relax, we have you covered.

Don’t let this time of the year stress you out. At Oak Street Health, our patients have access to Patient Relations Managers who can help answer your Medicare questions, so you can make an informed choice when selecting your coverage.

Experience more support

At Oak Street Health, we provide you with the care you need, and the services that support your health. From doctors who listen to your story, to Patient Relations Managers who can help answer your Medicare questions.

We’ve prepared some tips below, to help you understand Medicare and all its parts.

Learn more

Learn how Medicare can benefit you

Join us at one of our many Medicare Annual Enrollment educational events. 

Center: All center locations
Date: Starting October 8th, 2019
Time: Tuesdays 10am — 11am and Thursdays 1pm — 2pm

The 411 on Medicare

Medicare doesn’t have to be complicated

Medicare is broken down into parts known as: Part A, Part B, and Part D. Additional coverage, known as Medicare Advantage is referred to as Part C, or all-in-one insurance. It gets this name because Part C incorporates many of the other benefits of Medicare, along with some additional services. Part C, along with MedSupp, and Medicare + Medicaid, cover out-of-pocket expenses original Medicare does not.

Let’s take a closer look at Medicare, and all of its parts.

First things first.

Who gets Medicare?

If you’re an adult 65+ you’re eligible for Medicare. People with disabilities who are under 65 are also able to enroll. Medicare Annual Enrollment falls between October 15th and December 7th, unless you’re eligible for a Special Election Period. You can first sign up for Medicare 3‑months before you turn 65. If you wait to sign up the month you turn 65, or during the 3 month period after you turn 65, you might experience a gap in coverage.

Once the initial enrollment period ends, you can still sign up during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Breaking down the parts

Part A, known as hospital insurance

You receive Part A automatically when you turn 65, and after at least 10 years of work. It has a $0 monthly premium. It covers:

  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Hospital visits
  • Home healthcare

Part B, known as medical insurance

Part B covers 80% of all medical costs not covered by Part A, and typically carries a $135 monthly premium. However, unlike Part A, you need to elect Part B when you turn 65. It covers:

  • Doctor visits
  • Preventative services
  • Ambulance
  • ER visits
  • Outpatient procedures
  • Durable medical equipment
  • And more

Part D, known as prescription drug coverage

You need to enroll in Part D when you turn 65. Waiting will cost you extra. Part D comes with:

  • An average monthly premium of $35
  • Deductibles and copays depend on plan selection
Dual coverage

Medicare + Medicaid

It is possible to have both Medicare and Medicaid, if you qualify. This means, Medicare is your primary coverage and Medicaid becomes your secondary coverage. This is called ​“dual eligible”. Having dual coverage generally will not cost you anything more, and comes with additional benefits, as well:

  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Transportation
  • Over-the-counter drug benefits
  • And more

These plans are usually $0 per month with $0 copays. You must stay in the plan’s network, but people with Medicare and Medicaid are not restricted to Medicare’s open enrollment, so you can enroll into this plan or change plans quarterly.

Shop, compare, and learn more about the Medicare plans in your area

Medicare Plan Finder
Medicare Advantage

Coverage for the unexpected

Original Medicare alone does not cover everything, meaning your out-of-pocket expenses may cost more than expected. Medicare Advantage may help keep those expenses down.

Part C, known as Medicare Advantage often covers:

  • Part A, Part B and Part D
  • Gym memberships
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Transportation to specialists
  • Podiatry
  • And more

These services may come at little to no cost, with fixed copays, so you’ll know how much you need to pay before anything is done. Plus, these plans usually come with maximum out-of-pocket limits and premiums that never rise.

Supplemental Insurance

MedSupp (Medigap)

Another way of covering expenses original Medicare doesn’t is through a MedSupp or Medigap plan. These plans work with Medicare and generally pay 20% of the coinsurance and a large part of the Part A deductible.

  • Plans do not offer extra benefits besides what you already receive with original Medicare
  • Plans do not cover Part D
  • Monthly premiums typically run $180 — $500 per month
  • Your network will remain the same as your Medicare network
  • Enrollment occurs any time of the year
  • If you sign up after you turn 65, any pre-existing conditions can factor into higher premiums and even being denied coverage

Let us help answer your Medicare questions

Speak to an Oak Street Health Patient Relations Manager for more information regarding your Medicare choices. But remember, Oak Street Health is not an insurance company. We can help you understand your coverage, and connect you to insurance agents.

Let’s talk