Seminars

Yes, Medicare does offer limited benefits with regards to mental health services such as therapy and counseling. Depending on your plan, you may have a copay or coinsurance for each session.

• Original      Medicare = Federal + freedom + add-ons like Medigap.
• Medicare      Advantage = Private company + bundled benefits + managed care.

Original Medicare  vs  Advantage Plan

Feature                             Original Medicare                          Advantage Plan (Part C)

Who Provides It             Federal Government                 Private Insurance Companies

Includes Part A                          Yes                                               Yes

(Hospital)

Part B - Medical                         Yes                                                 Yes

Prescriptions Drug                         No                                                 Often 

Coverage (Part D)

Dental, Vision, Hearing              No                                                 Often

Choice of Doctors/Hospitals    Yes                                               Limited Network

                                                                                                  (HMO, PPO)May need Ref

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is the period when you first become eligible for Medicare, typically around your 65th birthday. Your IEP lasts for seven months, starting three months before the month of your 65th birthday, including your birthday month, and extending three months after.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Also known as the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, this period occurs annually from October 15th to December 7th. During the AEP, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage, including switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, changing or enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or switching between different Part D plans.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): From January 1st to March 31st each year, Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make a one-time change. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare with or without a Part D plan.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): These are special circumstances that allow you to make changes to your Medicare coverage outside of the regular enrollment periods. Qualifying events for SEPs include things like moving to a new area that affects your Medicare coverage, losing other health coverage, or becoming eligible for additional assistance programs.