Medicare Insurance
Get to know the basics of Medicare so you’re ready to make decisions with confidence.
Ibis has partnered with eHealth to help you find the coverage that may best fit your needs.
Understanding Your Medicare Options
Ibis Health has served the needs of Medicare beneficiaries since the program began and is included in both Original Medicare and many Medicare Advantage plans.
Need help finding the right solution? Contact either your licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare coverage, your state-sponsored Medicare advisor organization, or our partners at eHealth by calling 855-400-7018 (TTY 711). eHealth is available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 9 pm EST. You can also visit eHealth’s website at
eHealthMedicare.com/Ibis_tablet, an online marketplace where you can research plans and benefits without sharing any personal information. eHealth is an independent insurance advisor that operates a non‑government website and employs licensed insurance agents who can help you understand your coverage options over the phone.
What is Medicare Insurance?
Medicare is divided into four main parts: A, B, C, and D.
- Parts A and B are commonly known as Original Medicare. This is a fee-for-service health plan run by the federal government. If you have Part A and/or Part B—including a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy—you may be eligible to receive care from Ibis Health and many affiliated medical providers.
- Part C, also known as a Medicare Advantage Plan, is offered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. These plans can be purchased directly from the insurer or through licensed insurance agents.
- You can also choose to enroll in Part D, which provides Medicare prescription drug coverage. Additionally, you may consider Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) for extra coverage.
To enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you must have both Part A and Part B. To enroll in a Part D plan, you need at least Part A or Part B.
Important: Not all doctors accept Medicare Advantage plans. Once you’ve narrowed down your Medicare coverage options, and if having access to specific physicians is important to you, please contact the health plan directly to confirm that your preferred doctors are included in the plan’s network.
Medicare Part A
- Covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, some home‑health services and hospice care.
- Medicare pays an approved amount for each type of care.
- There is no monthly premium, if eligible, but you must pay a yearly deductible before Medicare will cover hospital costs.
- You are eligible to enroll in Part A starting three months before the month of your 65th birthday, during the month of your 65th birthday and in the three months after your 65th birthday month.
Medicare Part B
- Covers doctor visits, some home‑health services, laboratory tests, X-rays and other outpatient care, including some medical supplies and equipment. This is optional coverage and requires that you pay a monthly premium.
- You are eligible to enroll in Part B starting three months before the month of your 65th birthday, during the month of your 65th birthday and in the three months after your 65th birthday month.
- If you opt out of Part B during this initial enrollment period, then decide to enroll at a later date, you may have to pay a higher premium. Your monthly premium for Part B may go up 10 percent for each year you were eligible for but did not enroll in Part B.
- Medicare Part B covers care from Ibis Health and most of our clinicians.
Medicare Part C
- Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is purchased from a private insurance company approved by Medicare and typically organized like a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) insurance plan.
- Part C puts coverage from both Part A and Part B into one plan. Most of these Medicare plans also include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
- Ibis Health participates in many Medicare Advantage plans. Please call Ibis at XXX-XXX-XXXX if you have questions.
Medicare Part D
- Covers Medicare prescription drugs.
- Part D plans are optional coverage that may require a monthly plan premium and possibly a deductible and/or copays for your medications.
- Most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include Part D coverage.
- When shopping for Part D coverage, it's important to review a plan’s formulary and compare prices for the prescription drugs you take. The Medicare website at medicare.gov offers a plan comparison tool where you can enter your prescription information to help find the plan with the best formulary match for your needs.
- If you want prescription drug coverage it is recommended that you sign up for Part D as soon as you are eligible for Medicare Parts A and B. If you don't sign up, you may be charged a penalty.
Medigap
Medicare Supplemental Insurance—also called Medigap—is an additional insurance product that pays some of Medicare’s out‑of-pocket costs, such as copays and deductibles, and possibly other services not normally covered by Original Medicare. You must have Medicare Parts A and B to buy a Medigap policy. People with Medicare Advantage plans do not need and cannot use Medigap policies.
When Can You Enroll in Medicare?
To enroll in Medicare, most people need to contact Social Security directly. It’s recommended you do this before your 65th birthday to avoid a lapse in coverage and avoid any penalties for applying late. You should receive a packet in the mail from Medicare before you turn 65. You can enroll online, in person at the Social Security office or by calling 800‑772-1213.
You have a seven‑month window around your 65th birthday to enroll; this is called your initial enrollment period. After that, you can still enroll in Medicare, but you may need to wait for a designated special/general enrollment period to do so. Learn more about the different enrollment periods:
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Initial Enrollment Period
- Initial Medicare Enrollment period is the seven‑month time frame surrounding the month of your 65th birthday.
- You can start applying for Medicare three months before your birthday month. For example, if your birthday is July 15, you can apply beginning April 1 and your coverage would start July 1.
- You can enroll in all four parts (Medicare Parts A, B, C and D) during this period.
Medicare Special Enrollment Period
These occur based on certain life events, such as:
- Moving
- Loss of current coverage
- Opportunity to get other coverage
Medicare General Enrollment Period
- If you missed the Initial or Special Enrollment periods, you can still sign up for Medicare Parts A and B during General Enrollment period between Jan. 1 and March 31 of every year.
- If you apply for coverage during General Enrollment, it will take effect July 1 of that year. You may face higher premiums and possible fees for late enrollment.
Medicare Open Enrollment Period
- Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.
- This applies to anyone who is eligible for Medicare and is the time when you can make changes to your coverage.
- During this time, you can sign up for Parts C and D. This includes switching from Parts A and B to Part C, or from Part C to Parts A and B.
- If you apply for coverage during Open Enrollment, it will take effect Jan. 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year.
- Applies only if you’ve already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- You can switch to either a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch to Original Medicare and join a separate Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plan once during this time.
- During this period, you cannot:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Join a Medicare prescription drug plan (“Part D" plan) if you’re already in Original Medicare
- Switch from one Medicare prescription drug plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
This enrollment period is only for Medigap coverage.
- Medigap Open Enrollment period runs for six months and starts the month of your 65th birthday and when you’ve signed up for Medicare Part B.
- If you don’t sign up during open enrollment, other restrictions will apply
- To enroll in Medicare, most people need to contact Social Security directly. It is recommended you do this before your 65th birthday to avoid a lapse in coverage and avoid any penalties for applying late. You should receive a packet in the mail from Medicare before you turn 65. You can enroll online, in person at the Social Security office or by calling 1‑800-772-1213.
*Information updated [Month Day], 2025.