Medicare Plans

The pieces of Medicare

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers most hospital and medical services for people 65 and older — but not all of them. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays. Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. There are deductibles, coinsurance, and no out-of-pocket cap on the gaps. To close those gaps, most people add either a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C, which bundles A, B, often D, and extra benefits) or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy paired with a standalone Part D prescription plan.

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

Advantage and Medigap are two different paths. Advantage plans usually have a low or zero monthly premium, network-based care, copays at point of service, and bundled extras (dental, vision, fitness). Medigap plans cost more per month but cover most of the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind, give you nationwide doctor freedom, and pair with any Part D plan. There is no universal “better” — it depends on your doctors, your medications, your travel patterns, and your tolerance for unpredictability.

Who we help

People turning 65 in the next twelve months, people who recently retired and are losing employer coverage, people on Original Medicare who’ve been hit with a surprise bill, and family members helping a parent navigate the choices for the first time. Your PlondoLife agent compares plans across multiple carriers in your county and walks you through enrollment without a sales pitch.

When can I enroll?

Initial Enrollment is the seven-month window around your 65th birthday (three months before, the month of, and three months after). The Annual Election Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year for Medicare Advantage and Part D. Open Enrollment for Medicare Advantage runs January 1 through March 31. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) apply if you’re losing employer coverage, moving, or qualifying for Extra Help. Your agent maps your situation to the right window.

I’m still working at 65 — do I have to enroll?

Not necessarily. If you have creditable employer coverage from an employer with 20 or more employees, you can typically delay Part B without a late-enrollment penalty and pick it up when you retire. The rules differ for smaller employers, retiree-only coverage, and HSA contributors — your agent will tell you which path applies to you.

How are Medicare agents paid?

By the Medicare carrier whose plan you choose, never by you. Commissions are regulated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are similar across the carriers we represent — there’s no incentive to push one plan over another. Plan premiums you pay are the same whether you enroll through us or directly with the carrier.