Your health care coverage is an important part of your overall wellness. That’s why Advocate Health Care offers easy ways to help you understand and choose the Medicare plan that’s best for you. And while Medicare plans and your options may change each year, we continue to accept original Medicare, Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans and many Medicare Advantage plans.

We provide resources to help you understand the available options that best meet your health and wellness needs. View our Medicare Options Guidebook [PDF] to learn more about your options and Medicare basics.

Key dates for Medicare open enrollment

Why choose Advocate?

You deserve exceptional care – such as more choices and locations for primary and specialty care. When you choose a health insurance plan that includes Advocate, you’ll be able to count on extended hours – evening and Saturday appointments, plus Quick Care Video Visits and e-visits – for your convenience. We’re using the latest technologies to expand your access to health care.

Benefits like our LiveWell with Advocate Health app and website allow you to easily schedule appointments, view test results and other health information, and even pay your bills online – anytime, anywhere.

Advocate Health Care is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the U.S. We’re redefining the standard for care with world-class doctors and caregivers, innovative solutions, outstanding outcomes, and leading-edge research and clinical trials.

Understanding Medicare

Medicare is a federal government program that offers health insurance to individuals who are:

• Age 65 and older
• Under age 65, disabled and on Social Security for 24 months
• Any age with end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

When you enroll in Medicare, you can choose from:

Original Medicare: This plan includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You also can add Part D (prescription drug coverage) and Medicare supplement insurance.

Medicare Advantage: Similar to an employer’s HMO or PPO, these bundled plans include Medicare Part A and B and usually Part D as well as additional benefits Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.

Enrollment periods at a glance

Initial enrollment period

The initial enrollment period is a seven-month period that includes three months before you turn 65, your birthday month and three months after you turn 65.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment, also known as Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), happens every fall from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, you can join, drop or change Medicare coverage. The plan coverage you choose during AEP starts on Jan. 1 of the following year.

Medicare Advantage open enrollment

This one-time change takes place between Jan. 1 and March 31. You must already be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on Jan. 1. During this time, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage, or return to Original Medicare and enroll in Part D. You can't switch from one prescription drug plan to another. There's no guaranteed issue right for Medigap.

General enrollment period

There is a three-month window from Jan. 1 through March 31 annually where you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B for the first time if you missed signing up when you were first eligible, and you are not eligible for a special enrollment period. You may be subject to late penalties.

Individuals can sign up for Medicare Advantage (Part C) from April 1 through June 30. Coverage begins July 1.

Special enrollment period

In some cases, you may be able to enroll in or switch to a plan outside of the initial enrollment period. This includes changes in your life situation, such as:

• You retire and leave a health care plan through your employer or union
• You move out of your current health plan’s service area

When you enroll will determine when your coverage begins. To determine your eligibility and for more information on enrollment periods, visit medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans.