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Medicare doesn't have to be confusing.
Two ways to add to Original Medicare, one decision to make. We walk you through it, compare plans from the carriers we represent, and there is never a charge for our help.
Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement?
Both fill the gaps in Original Medicare. They do it in very different ways.
| Feature | Medicare Advantage (Part C) | Medicare Supplement (Medigap) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Often $0 on top of your Part B premium. Other costs apply when you use care. | A monthly premium that varies by plan, age and location, on top of Part B. |
| Doctors and hospitals | A network. Usually HMO or PPO. Referrals may be needed. | Any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. |
| Prescription drugs | Usually included (MAPD). | Not included. You add a separate Part D plan. |
| Extra benefits | Often dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowance, fitness. | None. It only pays Medicare cost-sharing. |
| Out-of-pocket limit | Yes, a yearly maximum set by the plan. | Plan G and Plan N leave only small costs after the Part B deductible. |
| Travel | Emergency coverage anywhere; routine care in-network. | Coverage anywhere in the U.S.; some plans add foreign travel emergency. |
| Switching later | Change plans each year during AEP or OEP. | Health questions may apply if you switch after your first six months. |
Not sure which one fits? A 15-minute call sorts it out. No pressure, no cost.
Book the callWhen can you enroll or make changes?
Miss a window and you may wait a year or pay a penalty. These are the four that matter most.
Initial Enrollment
Seven months around your 65th birthday: three before, the month of, three after.
Annual Enrollment
October 15 to December 7 every year. Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for January 1.
Advantage Open Enrollment
January 1 to March 31. One change if you are already on a Medicare Advantage plan.
Special Enrollment
Triggered by a move, losing coverage, leaving employer insurance and other life events.
Go deeper
Medicare 101 videos
Twelve short videos that walk through the decisions, deadlines and questions that come up as you approach 65. In English and Spanish.
Watch the seriesMedicare Advantage
What MAPD bundles, what $0 premium really means, and a checklist to tell if it fits you.
Learn about Medicare AdvantageMedicare Supplement
Why Plan G and Plan N dominate, how Medigap pairs with Part D, and when health questions apply.
Learn about Medicare SupplementTurning 65 Guide
A month-by-month timeline, how to sign up for Parts A and B, and when to delay Part B if you are still working.
Get the Turning 65 checklistQuestions we hear every week
See all Medicare FAQsI'm turning 65 and still working. Do I have to sign up?
You can usually delay Part B without penalty if you have coverage through an employer with 20 or more employees. Most people still take Part A, which is premium-free. Smaller employers and COBRA are different, so this is worth a five-minute check with us before your birthday month.
Is a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan really free?
The plan premium can be $0, but you still pay your Part B premium, plus copays and coinsurance when you use care. Every plan also has a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. We show you the whole picture, not just the headline number.
Can I keep my doctor?
With a Medicare Supplement, yes, anywhere in the country that accepts Medicare. With Medicare Advantage it depends on the plan's network, so we check your doctors and prescriptions against each plan before you enroll.
What happens if I miss my enrollment window?
You may have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period and could face a permanent Part B or Part D penalty. Some life events open a Special Enrollment Period. Call us and we will tell you exactly where you stand.
Does it cost anything to work with Phil-Am?
No. We are paid by the carrier when you enroll, and the premium is the same whether you use an agent or not. Our advice, plan comparisons and yearly reviews are free.
Required disclosure. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [X] organizations which offer [Y] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, premiums and benefits vary by county and change each year. Enrollment in a plan depends on contract renewal.