Medicare Basics

Are you turning 65 in the next three months?
What do you need to know beforehand?


LEARN about Medicare options by watching this short 6-minute video to determine...


  • Do you need to enroll in Medicare A and B now?
  • Should you enroll in A only? 
  • Can you delay Enrollment in A and B or just B?
  • If you do delay, will you be penalized later?
  • Who does not need to enroll at age 65? 


NOTE: If you delay Medicare enrollment due to having CREDITABLE coverage through a large employer, you won't face a penalty later and won't need B or D or a supplemental coverage. Your employer’s plan will be primary, and you can later enroll in all parts of Medicare when you retire.



US Citizens pay Medicare taxes their working lifetime and qualify for "Free" or $0 premium Part A (hospital services) if they pay into the system for 40 quarters; spouses can qualify through their working spouse. 


Watch the video on the left and learn more!


Medicare Part B (outpatient services), while partially subsidized by taxes, does have a premium.  Premiums vary based on your income at the time you enroll in Medicare, but can be changed if your income goes up or down. 


For a list of premiums for B and D based on income, Feel free to download this document:  2026 Medicare B and D premiums  

NOTE:  Video references for IRMA are from 2020; for current numbers, download the 2026 document. 




Both Medicare A and B are obtained through the Social Security office.  Medicare Part C and Part D are purchased through a broker or can be done by going direct to the insurance company that provides these benefits. 


Medicare Supplements are offered by insurance companies and are NOT a Medicare program, but are additional coverage to help pick up where Medicare leaves off.  




Most people that enroll in a Part D (stand-alone drug card) also purchase a Medicare Supplement to help pay the costs not covered by Medicare, including deductibles for hospitalization, outpatient services, and 20% coinsurance that is not capped.

DISCLOSURE    

Our first priority is helping you find the BEST Medicare plans that suits your needs and budget.   While our office is licensed with most of the Major A-rating insurance carriers in IL, we do not offer every plan in the state of Illinois.  See list below.  To see the entire list of carriers in IL, you can visit www.Medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. 

In the state of IL for calendar year 2025, there are 6 insurance carriers offering Medicare Part D prescription plans.  Our office is licensed with all 6 carriers to sell 13 PDP plans.  However, we are aware of at least 1 plan that cannot be offered through our agency; for info on all plans, visit www.medicare.gov. 

For MAPD plans, there are 11 insurance carriers selling plans in the state of IL, and our office is licensed with 6 insurance carriers including  Aetna, BCBS of IL (HCSC), Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare/AARP, and WellCare/Centene.  We do not currently represent Molina Health (1 HMO only in certain counties), Zing (2 HMO plans), Devoted (2 HMO and 1 PPO).  Clear Spring Health (2 HMO plans); we are working on getting contracted with Essence health, a new carrier to IL for 2025.