It is important to know how to assess your need for insurance in every type of coverage you buy. With a Medicare supplement comparison, you should review your medical care costs for the preceding year, assess your current health status and choose a plan that is affordable. You may want to consider enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan if you currently are taking medications. The cost of prescription drugs has increased dramatically in the last few years.

Your open enrollment period will start when your Part B coverage becomes effective. If you miss your open enrollment period, contact your local Social Security Officer. There may be that the initial open enrollment period for Medicare Part D for all people with Medicare began already and you do not have coverage for prescription drugs through a current health plan such as aa person chooses to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time and within the open enrollment plan.

Part B Charges:- There may be a waiting period for coverage and premium payments due. Some individuals are eligible for Medicare due to a disability and are under age 65. The open enrollment period applies to these individuals upon turning 65. Every year, if you wish, you may change your Part D plan between November 15th and December 31st. If you are just coming into the Medicare system, you will have open enrollment for a period of twelve months.

Part D plan that coincides with the open enrollment period for Medicare Part B. If you are coming from a retiree plan from a former employer or a Medicare Advantage Plan with a drug benefit, you should consider enrolling in Medicare Part D.

Medicare Part B covers almost all reasonable and necessary medicare medical services, including doctors’ services, laboratory and x-ray services, durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, hospital beds etc.), ambulance services, outpatient hospital care, home health care, blood and medical supplies. Medicare Part C is called “Medicare Advantage” and is an optional plan that will combine all the benefits of Medicare Parts A & B, as well as Medicare prescription drug coverages and may provide some or all of the benefits previously available through a standardized Medicare supplement plan. These Medicare Advantage Plans may be “Managed Care” type plans such as HMO, PPO, or Private Fee for Service plans. Medicare Part D is the optional Medicare prescription drug coverage and makes coverage for prescription drugs available to all people with Medicare.

What is a benefit period? A benefit period begins on the first day of a Medicare-covered inpatient stay. It ends when you have been out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. A new benefit period begins and the beneficiary must pay a new inpatient hospital deductible. There may be as many as five benefit periods in a calendar year.