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Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment

Sponsors of Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plans approved by Medicare that accept applications for enrollment in one of the Medicare Advantage options that offer Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage. Prescription drug coverage may also be included. Many MA Plans offer extra benefits (e.g., vision coverage, dental coverage, hearing care, wellness services and nurse line support) and may offer lower co-payments than Original Medicare. However, MA plans may require participants to use physicians, hospitals and other providers that are part of the plan's provider network. Medicare Advantage Plans include: Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans; Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans; Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans; Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP); and Medicare Savings Account Plans (MSA Plans). To join a MA Plan, an individual must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. In addition to paying the monthly Part B premium required by Medicare, MA Plans may require a monthly premium for the extra benefits provided by the Plan. Information about Medicare Advantage plans is available in the "Welcome to Medicare" handbook people receive when they enroll, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by using the Plan Finder on the Medicare website.

• Service code: NS-8000.5000-480
• 3 providers

Medicare Enrollment

Social Security offices that accept applications for enrollment in and determine eligibility for the Medicare program. People who have signed up for early retirement benefits with the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board receive their Medicare card in the mail automatically prior to their 65th birthday. Their application for retirement benefits serves as an application for Medicare Part A. Individuals who wait for full retirement age to sign up for SSA cash benefits will need to apply for Medicare approximately three months prior to their 65th birthday month at the Social Security office where they will do the paperwork and designate if they want Part A and/or B. They will get their Medicare card in the mail showing their enrollment (Part A and/or B) with an effective date, the first of their birthday month. These people are now enrolled in Original Medicare and can sign up with a supplement or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), or have the option of receiving their Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan (HMOs, PPOs, special needs plans, private fee for service plans, Medicare savings account plans). If they choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, they will have to determine availability and which plan is best for them, and then will need to enroll directly with the plan of their choice. Information about Medicare Advantage plans is available in the Welcome to Medicare handbook people receive when they enroll, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by using the Plan Finder on the Medicare website.

• Service code: NS-8000.5000-560
• 6 providers

Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (Extra Help) Applications

Social Security offices and state Medicaid agencies that accept applications and determine eligibility for the subsidies that are available to low income beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit. Beneficiaries may also apply for the subsidy through the online application available on the Social Security Administration website.

• Service code: NS-8000.5000-600
• 8 providers

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Enrollment

Private Prescription Drug Plans that are approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and accept applications for enrollment. Beneficiaries may also select a plan using the online enrollment application available on the CMS website. The application provides a tool for comparing different plans which vary in costs and specific drugs covered.

• Service code: NS-8000.5000-660
• 5 providers