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What to Know Before You Enroll in Medicare
Understand the differences in each plan in the Medicare enrollment process
 You know that you need Medicare coverage. How do you decide what plan is best for you? Should you purchase a Medicare prescription drug plan?
Even though a drug plan can give you some relief from the high cost of medications, it might not be the best choice for everyone, as it does not provide medical coverage. An all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan may prove to be a better fit for your coverage needs. Or, perhaps you should purchase a Medicare Supplement plan in addition to your drug plan.
Here’s some help sorting out issues specific to different Medicare health plans:
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Drug benefits
Medicare Advantage plans
Many Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), or Private Fee For Service (PFFS) plans include prescription drug coverage, too. That means you get medical coverage and prescription drug coverage all in one plan.
Medicare Prescription Drug plans
Prescription drug plans can help you cover your prescription drug costs. Each Medicare prescription drug plan offers coverage at least as good as the Medicare minimum standard requirement. Some plans may offer more choices and have different premiums and costs depending on the benefits offered.
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans cannot include prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in a separate stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan.
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Determining your premiums
Medicare Advantage plans
With a Medicare Advantage plan, you may pay a monthly plan premium to the insurer in addition to the Medicare premium you already pay. Many Medicare Advantage plans - including the majority of Humana's - also provide prescription drug coverage at no additional cost.
Prescription Drug plans
With a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may pay a monthly plan premium to the insurer in addition to the Medicare premium you already pay. If you didn't sign up for drug coverage when you first became eligible, you may have a higher premium - as much as one percent more for every month you wait.
Medicare Supplement plans
With a Medicare Supplement plan, you pay a monthly plan premium to the insurer in addition to the Medicare premium you already pay. The premium may vary by plan type, your age group, gender and where you live.
When you enroll and when your coverage is effective
Medicare Advantage plans
In most cases, your coverage becomes effective on the first day of the next month after you join. However, if you enroll in a 2009 plan between November 15 and December 31, your coverage will become effective January 1.
Prescription Drug plans
In most cases, your coverage becomes effective on the first day of the next month after you join. However, if you enroll in a 2009 plan between November 15 and December 31, your coverage will become effective January 1.
If you purchase a stand-alone prescription drug plan while you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, you will be disenrolled automatically from your Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Supplement plans
In most cases, your coverage becomes effective on the first day of the next month after you join – unless you request a different effective date. For people 65 or older, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period continues for six months after you sign up for Medicare Part B. During this time a company must allow you to buy any Medicare Supplement plan offered.
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