If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period or your Special Enrollment Period, you get another chance to enroll. You can sign up for Medicare Parts A & B between January 1 and March 31 each year. Your Medicare coverage would begin on July 1 of the same year.
General Enrollment Period is Coming Soon
Have You Reviewed Your Coverage for 2017?
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is Parts A and B. Medicare Part A covers inpatient care and hospital care, while Medicare Part B covers medical services and supplies.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is an alternative to original Medicare Parts A and B. It is usually considered an “all-in-one” plan.
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplemental Plans help to pay the “gap” between what Medicare Parts A and B pay and what you pay out of your own pocket.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is an optional way for seniors age 65+ and those with disabilities to cover the cost of prescription drugs and medications.
Did You Know....?
Medicare agents are restricted from charging you consultation fees. Commissions are paid by insurance companies and do not affect your premiums. Agents/brokers must be licensed in the State in which they do business, annually complete training and pass a test on their knowledge of Medicare and health and prescription drug plans, and follow all Medicare marketing rules.
Agents/brokers are subject to rigorous oversight by their contracted health or drug plans and face the risk of loss of licensure with their State and termination with their contracted health or drug plans if they don’t comply with strict rules related to selling to and enrolling Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare plans.
Learn more by visiting the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
01
Consultation.
Our consultative sales approach is the guiding principle during every interaction with our clients. It’s about how we find ways to provide our you with value, knowledge and adequate coverage. With our consultative selling methodology, your needs come first. Consultative Selling takes the focus off product selling and replaces it with creating solutions that custom fit our client’s needs.
02
Educate.
With the constantly changing options available under the Medicare program comes the need to clearly inform and educate our clients about their choices in order for them to make a decision that best meets their personal needs. This phase of our process focuses on communicating with Medicare beneficiaries about their health plan options, with an emphasis on educating you on the many parts and nuances of Medicare.
03
Discovery.
As displayed above, we work with many of the top rated carriers in the Medicare industry. When you are working with one of our agents, you have access to a large number of companies – not just one. This allows us to search for the best plan for your needs. And over time we have come to an understanding of which situations match best with the companies we represent.
04
Apply.
Medicare enrollment mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars. With our trained and experienced agents, applying for coverage becomes a stress-free experience. From complex enrollment forms to verifying doctor networks to cross referencing your current medications with drug formularies – McGonigal Senior Benefits is your trusted guide to avoiding costly errors.
05
Support.
Once we have successfully acquired the proper coverage for the current plan year, our assistance doesn’t end there. Each year behind the scenes we are monitoring the Medicare market for new plan options that may provide you with lower costs and/or greater benefits. Working with us means you have an expert in your corner at all times. We pride ourselves on providing continued guidance to our clients year in and year out.
Turning 65 in Illinois?
There are typically two times in which you can sign up for a Medicare Part D Plan:
Initial Medicare Enrollment Period
The time period beginning 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after you turn 65 is known as your Initial Enrollment period. During this time, you can enroll in a Medicare Part D Plan.
Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period
Annual Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 of each year. During this time, you can sign up for a Part D plan, change to a new plan, or drop your current plan.