Medicare Supplements
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 1–2 organizations which offer 4–8 products in your area, depending on your county. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
What is Medicare?
Original Medicare is the federal health insurance program run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and it is composed of two parts:
- Part A, which covers hospital related expense such as in patient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, home health care and hospice care.
- Part B, which covers medical expenses such as doctors’ services, home health and durable medical equipment.
“Medicare Advantage,” also known as Part C, is offered by private insurance companies that are contracted with Medicare and includes Parts A and B, and sometimes Part D:
- Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs
Some Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. If you choose Original Medicare instead, you can add a separate Part D drug plan and a Medicare Supplement. Please contact us to discuss your options.
Why do I need Medicare Supplements?
Medicare Supplements are entirely optional and are not purchased through the government program. Medicare Supplements are designed to lower expenses and cover “gaps” in Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. They work only with Original Medicare, not with Medicare Advantage plans.
I’m approaching 65 – How do I sign up for Medicare in Gainesville, FL?
You have a total of seven months around your 65th birthday to secure Medicare coverage. This includes your birth month, three months prior and three months following. For example, if your 65th birthday is in October, you have from the start of July through the end of January to secure Medicare coverage. You can apply for Medicare Parts A and B online or at the Social Security office. Once you have obtained proof of coverage for Medicare Parts A & B, either in the form of a letter with effective date or cards, you are eligible to apply for supplemental Medicare plans. Medicare supplements can help pay some of the health care costs that standard Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. They don’t cover prescription drugs; that coverage comes from a separate Part D plan.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare has an annual enrollment period, during which you may choose to change your plan. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, and changes take effect January 1. For 2027 coverage, the window is October 15 to December 7, 2026. During this period you can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan; Medicare Supplement enrollment has its own rules, so ask us how they apply to you. (Source: Medicare.gov)
For information on all of your Medicare options, you can also contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Questions? Call McGriff-Williams Insurance at (352) 371-7977.
