Medicare questions, answered

Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months long: the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after. Use our IEP calculator on the Turning 65 page to see your exact dates.

If you or your spouse have group coverage from an employer with 20 or more employees, you can usually delay Part B without penalty. Most people still take premium-free Part A. We review your situation before you decide.

Yes. Everyone can make changes during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7. Advantage members also get one change from January 1 to March 31, and special enrollment periods apply after certain life events.

If you already receive Social Security benefits four months before you turn 65, you are enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Everyone else applies through Social Security.

Most people pay no premium for Part A. Part B has a standard monthly premium (sample 2026 figure: $202.90), plus any premium for a Supplement, Advantage or Part D plan you choose.

If you go without Part B or qualifying employer coverage after your IEP, you pay 10 percent more for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B. The penalty lasts as long as you have Part B.

The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount is an extra charge on Part B and Part D premiums for higher incomes, based on your tax return from two years earlier. It can be appealed after a life-changing event like retirement.

Yes. Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium, and Extra Help lowers prescription costs. We screen for both at no cost.

It depends on your doctors, travel, budget and health. Supplements offer freedom and predictable costs with a higher premium. Advantage plans have lower premiums and extras, with networks and copays. Our comparison page lays it out side by side.

No. It is illegal for anyone to sell you a Supplement while you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. You choose one path or the other.

Usually yes. Joining a low-cost plan now avoids a permanent late enrollment penalty if you need prescriptions later.

Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, eyeglasses or hearing aids. Many Advantage plans include them, and stand-alone policies are available.

No. We are paid by the insurance carriers when you enroll, and your premium is the same whether you use us or go directly to the carrier.

No. We are appointed with 14 carriers and do not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.

No. Evergreen Medicare Advisors is an independent, licensed insurance agency. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

Only if you want us to. Most clients like our January welcome call and October plan review. You can opt out at any time.