Learn more about your Medicare Advantage options.
If your 65th birthday is approaching, it’s the perfect time to get to know your Medicare Advantage coverage options.
Turning 65 is a big moment. It's a reason for celebration. It also means it's time to learn about your Medicare options. And you have a specific time frame around your 65th birthday to enroll. Original Medicare is health coverage you've earned. And it covers about 80% of basic medical costs.
Original Medicare has no limit on out-of-pocket costs, so if you have a lot of medical costs in a year it can get expensive fast. But you have options. A Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan can include a lot of the benefits you don't get from Original Medicare, and you could also get an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs.
Every Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan comes with localized benefits to fit what you need and where you live. Our local, licensed Wellcare agents are committed to spending the time you need to answer all your questions. Get connected so that you can make an informed choice. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
When you first become eligible for Medicare benefits it's called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP starts three months before your 65th birthday month and lasts for three months after your 65th birthday month. For example, if you turn 65 on May 18, your IEP starts February 1st and ends August 31st.
Before Birthday Month
There are advantages to enrolling early. If you apply for Medicare in the three months before your birthday month, your coverage will begin on the first day of your birthday month. In this example, if you apply in March, your coverage will begin May 1st - an early birthday present!
During Birthday Month
If you choose to apply during your birthday month, your coverage won't start until the following month - here, your coverage would begin on June 1st.
After Birthday Month
If you apply for Medicare in the three months after your birthday month, your coverage will begin the first of the month following your application. In this example, if you apply in June, July or August, your coverage start date will be the first day of the following month after your application is received It is important to note that you may pay a penalty or have a gap in coverage if you don't enroll when you're first eligible.
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