Understanding Medicare

You can enroll, switch, withdraw or make changes to your Medicare health or drug plan coverage during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7). Your plan coverage starts on January 1st if you chose a plan and the enrollment request is received no later than December 7. There are other times when you can enroll, switch, withdraw or make changes to your Medicare health plan coverage or drug plan subject to a special enrollment period. 

If you are struggling with your prescription costs, Extra Help is a Medicare program to help people with limited income to help pay Part D premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other costs. Call us for assistance. 

To qualify for Medicaid, you must be a resident of that state. Generally, you must meet your state's rules for your income and resources. You may be eligible for Medicaid if you have limited income and you are 65 or older, a child under 19, pregnant, living with a disability, and a parent or adult caring for a child. You can call us for assistance. 

It's possible to have both Medicare and Medicaid if you qualify. People who have Medicare and full Medicaid coverage are dual eligible. Medicare pays first and Medicaid pays last, after Medicare and any other health insurance you have. If you are dual eligible, Medicare covers your prescription drugs costs instead of Medicaid. Medicaid may still cover some drugs that Medicare does not cover.