Medicare & Long-Term Care Learn About Medicare

Medicare is the U.S. health insurance program for people 65 years and older (and those under 65 with qualifying disabilities).

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Different parts of Medicare When to apply for Medicare How to apply for Medicare What is Medicare Advantage? Switching plans as a member

Different parts of Medicare cover different types of services

Part A

Part A pays for hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and some outpatient home healthcare services.

Part B

Part B pays for doctor visits, outpatient care, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME).

Part C

Part C (Medicare Advantage plan) provides all the benefits of Parts A and B in one plan and often includes extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

Part D

Part D covers medications prescribed by doctors.

When to apply for Medicare

If you’re enrolling in Medicare for the first time, you will need to apply during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) which:

  • Starts three months before your 65th birthday
  • Ends three months after your 65th birthday

7-Month Initial Enrollment Period

3 Months

before your birthday

Your 65th birthday month
3 Months

after your birthday

If you’re turning 65 on April 15, you’ll be eligible to enroll for Medicare from January 1 through July 31 of that year.

If you miss your IEP, you may have to pay a penalty (higher monthly premium), so be sure to apply as soon as you can.

If you have health insurance through your current employer or your spouse’s employer you may be able to delay getting Original Medicare, then sign up later during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) without a penalty. Be sure to get Medicare immediately upon ending your (or your spouse's) current employer insurance. In general, it’s best to check with your employer about your options before your 65th birthday.

How to apply for Original Medicare

You must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) before you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. So be sure to apply as soon as you are able.

Apply online

ssa.gov/medicare

Call

1-800-772-1213

TTY: 1-800-325-0778

Visit a nearby office

ssa.gov/locator

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) when you become eligible.

What Is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private health insurance companies. They offer all the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and often include great additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D), providing all-in-one coverage―in one convenient package.

Most Healthfirst Medicare Advantage plans offer premiums and deductibles as low as $0. 

Find a Plan in Your Area

Switching plans once you’re a member

If you already have Medicare, you can change plans each year during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7).

During this time you can:
  • Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or back to what you had
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or from one Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan to another
  • Enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you didn’t when you were first eligible

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch after January 1, you can do so once during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1–March 31).

During this time you can:
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
  • Switch from your Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare

If you have certain life events, you may be able to switch plans throughout the year.

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you:
  • Move outside your plan’s service area
  • Become eligible for a program that saves you money (such as Medicaid or EPIC)
  • Lose your current employer insurance (2 months afterwards)
  • Lose your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan

Learn about enrollment

Call to speak with a sales representative
1-855-725-3341

TTY English: 1-888-542-3821

TTY Español: 1-888-867-4132

Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm

Request a call

Our sales team will call you within one business day.

Request a call
Schedule an appointment

We can help you enroll by phone, video chat, or in person.

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Looking for in-person help?

Visit a neighborhood Community Office near you to talk to us in person, and take care of your health insurance needs.

Find a Community Office

If you receive Medicaid and want to know whether you are eligible for a Managed Long-Term Care Plan, you can call the New York Independent Assessor (NYIA), formerly Conflict-Free
Evaluation Enrollment Center (CFEEC), at 1-855-222-8350, TTY 1-888-329-1541, Monday to Friday, 8:30am–8pm, and Saturday, 10am–6pm, to schedule your initial assessment.

Coverage is provided by Healthfirst Health Plan, Inc., Healthfirst PHSP, Inc., and/or Healthfirst Insurance Company, Inc. (together, “Healthfirst”). Healthfirst Medicare Plan has HMO and PPO plans with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with the NY State Medicaid program. Enrollment in Healthfirst Medicare Plan depends on contract renewal. Plans contain exclusions and limitations.

ATENCIÓN: Dispone de servicios de asistencia lingüística y otras ayudas, gratis. Llame al 1-866-305-0408 (TTY: 1-888-867-4132).

请注意：您可以免费获得语言协助服务和其他辅助服务。请致电 1-866-305-0408 (TTY: 1‑888‑542‑3821).

Last update July 23, 2026 @ 1:43 am

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