Medicare Insurance in Bronson, MI
Turning 65 or leaving employer coverage can raise a lot of questions about what Medicare covers and what gaps you may need to fill. At Hathaway Agency, Inc, we help Michigan residents sort through their options and find coverage that fits their health needs and budgets.
What Medicare Covers
Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B, provides hospital and medical coverage for most beneficiaries. Depending on your situation, coverage may include:
- Inpatient hospital stays and skilled nursing facility care
- Doctor visits, outpatient services, and preventive care
- Durable medical equipment
- Some home health services
Costs and gaps differ from person to person, so reviewing what Medicare does and doesn’t cover for your situation is worthwhile.
Filling the Gaps
Original Medicare typically does not cover everything. Many Michigan residents add a Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, to help with out-of-pocket costs such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs, so you would need a separate Part D plan if you choose this route. Others choose Medicare Advantage, which bundles Parts A and B and may include additional benefits, sometimes including drug coverage.
Enrollment Timing Matters
Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window that begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after it. Signing up on time helps you avoid late enrollment penalties and gaps in coverage.
After that, Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, move between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, or join, switch, or drop a Part D drug plan.
Medigap follows its own timing. Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this period, insurers must sell you any Medigap plan they offer, regardless of health. After this window, Michigan allows medical underwriting, meaning you may be denied coverage or charged more. The annual Open Enrollment Period does not change that.
Getting the Right Fit
Choosing between plan types depends on your doctors, preferred hospitals, prescription needs, and how often you use healthcare services. An independent agent can compare options across multiple carriers rather than steering you toward a single company’s products.
Contact Hathaway Agency, Inc today to schedule a no-obligation conversation about your Medicare coverage options.