What Happens if You Miss Your Medicare Enrollment Deadline?
If you miss your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period, you can enroll during either a Special Enrollment Period or the General Enrollment Period, but you may face late enrollment penalties that permanently increase your premiums. A Special Enrollment Period allows penalty-free enrollment if you have qualifying job-based insurance. You have eight months to enroll after losing […]
What changes to Medicare Part D for 2026?
Medicare Part D continues its major improvements in 2026, building on the changes from 2025 to help lower out-of-pocket drug costs for beneficiaries. The $2,000 annual cap on what you pay for covered prescription drugs remains in place. Once you hit that amount, you won’t pay anything more for the rest of the year. The […]
What are Medicare Savings Programs?
Your state may be able to help you pay your Medicare premiums. Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). If you meet certain conditions, you may not have to pay deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. There are four kinds of 4 kinds of Medicare Savings Programs. […]
What is the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) ?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a federally funded network of trained counselors who provide free, unbiased Medicare guidance to beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, SHIP serves as a trusted resource for navigating complex Medicare decisions. SHIP counselors offer personalized […]
How do I report Medicare Fraud and Abuse?
Medicare fraud and abuse can happen anywhere, and usually results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone. Some examples include: – A provider that bills Medicare for services or supplies they never gave you, like charging you for a visit you never had, or a back brace you never got. – A provider […]
What are the Medicare Enrollment periods ?
‘- Initial enrollment period The initial enrollment period is a seven-month period that includes three months before you turn 65, your birthday month, and three months after you turn 65. – Annual election period The Medicare annual election period (AEP) happens every fall from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, you can join, […]