If you already know what coverage you need, and you’re ready to sign-up for affordable and quality coverage, we’re ready to help.
Medicare Education
Why are your Medicare plans important? Doesn’t Medicare cover most things?
The federal government’s Medicare program has helped protect people ages 65 and older (and others younger than 65 who meet special requirements) for decades. But Medicare’s coverage is limited in many ways. Plus there are sizeable deductibles that must be paid each year. This is why supplemental coverage, drug coverage and other protection “add-ons” can be a valuable financial safety net.
What is Part A, B, C and D? And under which one of those is Medicare Supplement coverage?
These are the categories of coverage set up by Medicare. In brief:
- Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care.
- Part B helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, durable medical equipment and some preventative services.
- Part C is known also as “Medicare Advantage” coverage. It is a form of coverage run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies, and people who choose a Part C plan typically have to use a network of providers to receive maximum benefits. A Part C plan includes services covered by Part A and Part B.
- Part D is Medicare prescription drug coverage. It helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, and the plans are run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.
Medicare Supplement coverage helps cover the costs not paid by Medicare under Parts A and/or B.
For comprehensive information about Medicare coverage, please click here for a PDF of the government’s official guide Medicare & You.
Who is your provider network?
For our four Medicare Supplements, no networks are required. People with these plans are free to choose their own providers.
For our DentalVision plan, extensive networks of dentists (through Delta Dental) and vision care providers (through VSP) provide choices and convenient access to Kansans in all parts of the state.
What is “Open Enrollment?”
Medicare has specific rules and guidelines for when people can enroll in Medicare, sign up for supplements, and other aspects related to coverage. Once people are enrolled, they may consider changes in their coverages once a year during Medicare’s official “open enrollment” period that begins every Oct. 15 and continues until Dec. 7.
I’ll be signing up for Medicare for the first time soon, but my 65th birthday is a time other than Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Do I have to wait for Open Enrollment?
No. For your initial enrollment, there is a 7-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65, plus the month you turn 65, plus the three months after the month you turn 65.
If you’d like more information, call 1-833-282-5928.
I'd like some basic information on Medicare.
Check out our informational book "Making Medicare Plain and Simple." This short, easy-to-read booklet will help you learn the ins and outs of Medicare and help you choose the right Medicare plan.