You have an initial 7-month Medicare enrollment period when you first become eligible for Medicare. The 7-month enrollment period includes:

• 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday
• The month you turn 65
• The 3 months after your 65th birthday

Sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account. If you don't have an account yet, visit MyMedicare.gov to create one. You can sign in to see your Medicare Number or print an official copy of your card. For questions call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

There are specific Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) for when you can enroll outside of the 7-month period. If you miss these enrollment periods, there are additional times of the year when you can enroll, but you may not have medical coverage during this lapse. Give us a call—we’ll answer all your questions and walk you through some of the things you should keep in mind. If you currently have coverage through your employer, it’s important to compare what you have now to what you could receive when you become Medicare eligible.

If you’re considering Original Medicare for your coverage, it’s important to know that Medicare alone may not provide all the coverage that fits your needs. While this option provides you with flexibility in your choice of doctors, specialists and hospitals, you are financially responsible for some benefits and services. For example:

• Not all benefits are covered, including ones such as eyeglasses, gym membership and most prescription drugs
• You pay a deductible for some services
• Expect to pay as much as 20% in out-of-pocket coinsurance for most medical costs

Some people choose to purchase a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) plan to cover the gaps in coverage of having just Original Medicare. This option, however, may result in high monthly premiums, which can increase year over year. A supplemental plan covers some of the financial gaps of Original Medicare but does not cover prescription drugs, and generally does not cover dental care or eye and hearing exams. Some people also purchase a Part D prescription drug plan to cover most medications, which are not covered by Original Medicare alone. Copays and deductibles may vary from one Part D plan to another. You will also be expected to pay an additional premium.

If you’re still working, a public retiree or a veteran, compare your current health plan coverage to Original Medicare. If you don’t have other coverage, you may want to consider options that work with Original Medicare. For instance, there’s supplemental coverage as well as Medicare Advantage plans like SCAN Health Plan®.

SCAN is a not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan for people with Medicare. We offer all the benefits of Original Medicare, and much more. Our comprehensive plans include medical, hospital and pharmacy coverage that’s managed between your physician, specialists and hospitals. With many SCAN plans, you have a wide selection of cost-saving benefits that are not covered by Original Medicare. Plus, we give you the exceptional service we’re known for. It’s a Medicare Advantage plan that focuses on you, so you can focus on what matters most.