Medicare, explained in one visit.
Turning 65 yourself, or helping a parent who is. The mail and the calls start months early, and none of them explain the whole picture.
Turning 65 should not feel like homework.
One hour with a licensed agent in our McAllen office, or by phone. You leave knowing how Medicare works and exactly what to do next.
months to sign up
Miss it and the penalty is added to your premium every month, for life.
paths to choose from
Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. They work very differently, and some choices are hard to undo.
What Medicare is.
Federal health insurance for people 65 and older, and for some younger people with certain disabilities or conditions. It comes in four parts.
Hospital
Inpatient stays, skilled nursing after a hospital stay, hospice, some home health care. Most people pay no premium for Part A.
Medical
Doctor visits, outpatient care, lab work, preventive care, equipment. Has a monthly premium. After the deductible, you pay about 20% and Medicare pays the rest.
Medicare Advantage
Private plans that cover everything A and B cover. Most include drugs, many add dental, vision, or hearing. Uses a network. Has a yearly out-of-pocket limit.
Prescription drugs
Drug coverage from private plans, on its own or built into a Medicare Advantage plan. There is a yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket.
Choose a letter to learn the Medicare alphabet.
Two ways to get your coverage.
Everyone starts with Parts A and B. Then you choose one of two paths.
Original Medicare
Part A + Part B, run by the government. You add drug coverage and a Medigap policy yourself.
- Add a Part D plan for drugs
- Add a Medigap policy to help pay the 20% and other costs Original Medicare leaves to you
- See any doctor in the country who accepts Medicare
Medicare Advantage
Part C. One private plan that replaces how you use A and B.
- Usually includes drug coverage
- Often adds dental, vision, or hearing
- Uses a network of doctors and hospitals
- Has a yearly out-of-pocket limit
Side by side
Your best time to buy a Medigap policy is the 6 months after you turn 65 and enroll in Part B. After that, companies can ask health questions and may turn you down.
Not sure which path fits you? That is the main thing we work out together at the visit.
Book my Medicare visitWhen to sign up.
Your first chance is a 7-month window around your 65th birthday. Signing up on time protects you from late penalties.
Find your 7 months.
You can first sign up 3 months before the month you turn 65, and up to 3 months after. Pick your birth month and year to see your dates.
Annual Enrollment
Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes start January 1.
Advantage Open Enrollment
If you have Medicare Advantage, switch to another one or go back to Original Medicare, one time.
General Enrollment
If you missed your first chance. Coverage starts the month after you sign up, and a late penalty may apply.
Special Enrollment
Moving, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Medicaid or Extra Help, and other life changes.
The late penalties
They are added to your premium and do not go away.
10% added for each full 12 months you could have had Part B but did not, unless you had coverage from current work.
Added to your drug plan premium for each month you went without Part D or other creditable drug coverage.
Still working at 65? Need help paying?
Two situations that come up a lot. Both are worth a conversation before you decide anything.
Still working at 65?
You might be able to wait on Part B. You might not. It depends on your job's coverage, and guessing wrong can mean a penalty that sticks.
Bring your work coverage details to the visit and we go over it together.
Help paying for Medicare
If your income and resources are limited, these programs may lower your costs.
Working past 65, or helping a parent? Bring the details and we sort it out together.
Book my Medicare visitWhat happens at a Medicare 101.
One hour with a licensed agent, in our McAllen office or by phone. We go through all of the above using your doctors, your medications and your budget. Nothing is sold at this visit. You leave with answers, and the next step is yours.
504 N 10th St, Suite B7, McAllen.
Bring to your visit
- Medicare card or your Social Security letter
- A list of your medications and doses
- Names of the doctors and hospitals you use
- Your current insurance card or employer plan details
- A photo ID
Questions to ask
- When should I sign up for Part B?
- Are my doctors in this plan's network?
- Are my drugs covered, and at what cost?
- What is the most I could pay in a year?
- Do I qualify for help paying my costs?
We don't work for one insurance company.
We compare 8 carriers for you, then tell you plainly which fits.
- UnitedHealthcare
- Aetna
- Humana
- Wellcare
- Molina
- HealthSpring
- Wellpoint (Anthem)
- Prominence
Book your Medicare 101.
Three quick steps. We call you to confirm, usually the same business day.
Your visit is requested.
- We call you to confirm the time, usually the same business day.
- You bring what's on your checklist. Nothing to prepare beyond that.
- One hour with a licensed agent. You leave knowing what to do next.
“Mr. Alejos was very professional and made sure he understood my situation before recommending anything. He found a great product based exactly on what I needed.”
“Gerry goes above and beyond every time. He came to our home to help us decide on our life insurance, took all the time we needed, and answered every question patiently.”
“The office is modern, clean, and very welcoming, which made my visit comfortable. They’re genuinely focused on finding the best plan for your family, not just selling you something.”
Good questions.
Do I have to pick a plan at the visit?
No. The Medicare 101 is about understanding your options. If you want help choosing a plan, we can do that too, today or another day.
I'm still working at 65. Do I need Medicare?
It depends on your employer coverage. Bring the details and we tell you whether to enroll now or wait.
Will you try to sell me a plan?
No. The Medicare visit is an education visit. We talk about plans only if you ask us to, and we can set that up for the same day or another day.
What do you charge?
If you enroll in a plan through us, the insurance company pays our agency. Your premium is the same with or without us, and nothing is billed to you for the visit.
Who will I meet with?
A Texas-licensed Medicare agent from our McAllen office at 504 N 10th St, Suite B7 (TDI license 3128710). Not a call center, and never someone out of state.
Can my son or daughter come with me?
Yes. Bring whoever helps you with decisions. If they live out of town, we can add them by phone.
Do you speak Spanish?
Sí. Hablamos español en la oficina y por teléfono. Check the box in the booking form and we'll call you in Spanish.
How long is the visit?
About one hour. If your situation is simple, less. Bring a family member if you like.
What if I need to reschedule?
Call us at (956) 687-3334 and we'll find a new time.