How Medicare Works

Learning about Medicare can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. HAP is here, helping you understand the basics of Medicare (Parts A, B, C and D), the three main types of Medicare (Original, Medicare Advantage, and Supplemental), and the enrollment timeline all the way from signing to switching when a plan doesn’t meet your needs.

Medicare aged woman playing with grandkids

Everyone has different wants and needs. There's no single answer as to which Medicare coverage is best, but HAP can help you find a plan that works for you.

Age

Get informed

Learn how Medicare works and research your options.

Age

+9 months

Time to enroll

You can enroll as early as three months before your 65th birthday, and up to three months after your 65th birthday.

Age

You are Medicare eligible

You can start receiving your Medicare benefits the first day of the month you turn 65. If you haven't already enrolled, time is running out.

Age

+3 months

Don't be late!

Most people generally need to enroll in Part B within three months after turning 65 to avoid paying a penalty, and adding Part D (Rx coverage) later will cost you more.

Age

65+

Want to switch?

If your current Medicare plan isn't meeting your needs, you can change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall of each year.

Not ready to retire?

If you plan on working past the age of 65, you may have options for how or when to receive your benefits. Before making any decisions, here are a few details to keep in mind:

If you're keeping coverage through your employer (or your spouse's employer)
You should still sign up for Part A – you can sign up as early as three months prior to your 65th birthday.

Ask your employer’s Human Resources team if you need to sign up for Medicare Part B (if your workplace employs fewer than 20 people, you may have to, or risk a federal penalty).

Check your prescription drug coverage – if it isn’t at least as good as Medicare’s, then you‘ll need to enroll in Part D to avoid penalties.

When you eventually stop working and your current coverage ends, you’ll have a special enrollment period and be able to transition to another Medicare plan without losing coverage
If you're NOT keeping coverage through your employer (or your spouse's employer)

Want to chat?

Click the orange "Chat with an Expert" tab at the bottom of this page, give us a call, or fill out the form and we'll call you.

Still looking? Click on "Compare plans" below to view all of our Medicare Advantage plan offerings.

Call a HAP Medicare expert

(888) 447-3850 (TTY: 711)

Oct. 1 – March 31
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Seven days a week

April 1 - Sept. 30
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday

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Health Alliance Plan (HAP) has HMO, HMO-POS, PPO plans with Medicare contracts. HAP Medicare Complete Duals (HMO D-SNP) and HAP Medicare Complete Assist (PPO D-SNP) are Medicare health plans with Medicare contracts and a contract with the Michigan Medicaid Program. Enrollment depends on contract renewals.

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