Resources · Florida, Georgia & Texas
Medicare and health insurance resources.
Official websites, phone numbers and key dates to help you understand your options, all in one place. Look through them on your own, and call me any time you’d like help making sense of something. My help is free.
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Official Medicare resources
Where to find official Medicare information.
These links go to official government websites.
Medicare Plan FinderMedicare.gov
Search the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Part D plans available where you live. You can enter your drugs and pharmacy to see estimated costs.
Sign up for Parts A and BSocial Security
Most people enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B through Social Security. You can apply online, or call to set up a phone appointment.
Medicare & You handbookMedicare.gov
Medicare’s official yearly guide explains what Medicare covers, your costs and your choices for the coming year.
Help with costs
Programs that can help you pay for coverage.
If your income and savings are limited, you may qualify for help. Eligibility rules vary, so it’s worth checking even if you’re not sure.
Extra HelpPart D prescription drug costs
A federal program that helps pay Part D premiums, deductibles and copays for people with limited income and resources.
Medicare Savings ProgramsPart A and Part B costs
State programs that can help pay Medicare premiums and, in some cases, deductibles, coinsurance and copays. You apply through your state’s Medicaid office.
Free counseling
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Every state has a free, government-funded program that offers unbiased Medicare counseling. You’re welcome to contact yours for information on all of your options.
| State | Program | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) | 1-800-963-5337 |
| Georgia | GeorgiaCares SHIP | 1-866-552-4464 (option 4) |
| Texas | HICAP (Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program) | 1-800-252-9240 |
Under 65
Where to shop for Marketplace health insurance.
If you buy your own health insurance, where you enroll depends on your state. Income-based tax credits are only available through the official Marketplace. Learn more about ACA Marketplace plans.
| State | Official Marketplace |
|---|---|
| Florida | HealthCare.gov |
| Georgia | Georgia Access |
| Texas | HealthCare.gov |
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance.
Missing an enrollment window can mean waiting months for coverage or paying a late penalty. See the full Medicare guide, read my Annual Enrollment checklist, or join a free Medicare workshop.
| Enrollment period | When | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period | 7 months: the 3 months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the 3 months after | Sign up for Parts A and B, and choose a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. |
| Annual Enrollment Period | October 15 – December 7 | Switch, join or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes start January 1. |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | January 1 – March 31 | If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, switch to another one or return to Original Medicare, once. |
| General Enrollment Period | January 1 – March 31 | Sign up for Parts A and B if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period. Late penalties may apply. |
| Medigap Open Enrollment | 6 months, starting the month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B | Buy any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state without answering health questions. |
| Special Enrollment Periods | After certain life events | Moving, losing other coverage and some other changes let you make changes outside the usual windows. |
Glossary
Medicare terms, explained in plain language.
- Premium
- The amount you pay for coverage, usually every month, whether or not you use any services.
- Deductible
- The amount you pay for covered care or drugs before your plan starts to pay its share.
- Copayment (copay)
- A set dollar amount you pay for a covered service, such as a doctor visit or a prescription.
- Coinsurance
- A percentage of the cost you pay for a covered service. For example, after the Part B deductible you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
- Maximum out-of-pocket
- The most you pay in a year for covered Part A and Part B services in a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare has no yearly limit on its own.
- Formulary
- The list of prescription drugs a plan covers, usually grouped into tiers with different costs.
- Network
- The doctors, hospitals and pharmacies that contract with a plan. HMO plans generally require you to use the network; PPO plans let you go outside it for a higher cost.
- Prior authorization
- Approval you or your doctor must get from the plan before it covers certain services or drugs.
- IRMAA
- The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount: an extra charge added to Part B and Part D premiums for people with higher incomes, based on the tax return from two years earlier.
- Guaranteed issue rights
- Situations where an insurance company must sell you a Medicare Supplement policy without looking at your health history.
Free consultation
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