Annual Enrollment Period begins Oct 15th
Please reach us at sandy@wflins.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The Medicare process can be overwhelming. A licensed Medicare broker will listen to you and give you information about your coverage options that is based on your needs and preferences. Working with a trained broker can help you save time and money, ultimately helping you find the right plan.
Choose an independent Medicare Broker Comparison who represents multiple insurance carriers rather than a captive agent tied to a single company.
Core Selection Steps
• Verify Independence: Ensure they work with 5 to 10+ major insurance companies.
• Check State License: Confirm active licensure via your state's Department of Insurance or NIPR.
• Confirm Cost ($0): Services must be free; carriers pay standard, regulated commissions.
• Test Local Knowledge: Verify they know your specific county's doctors and hospital networks.
?? Questions to Ask
• How many carriers do you represent in my county?
• Do you start by reviewing my specific doctors and prescriptions?
• Are you available for mid-year billing or claims support?
• Which plans pay you higher commissions or bonuses?
You are eligible for Medicare if you are age 65 or older, or under 65 with certain qualifying disabilities or medical conditions.
Under Age 65 (Special Conditions)
• Disability: Must receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease): Automatically eligible the first month your SSDI benefits begin.
• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Must have permanent kidney failure requiring regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.
If you have been receiving Social Security benefits for at least 4 month prior to your 65th Birthday
If you have not been receiving Social Security benefits for at least 4 months prior to your 65th Birthday, you will need to sign up for Medicare through Social Security (ssa.gov). About two weeks after applying through Social Security you should receive your welcome Packet with your Medicare Card.
For more information on Medicare, go to www.Medicare.gov. Additional Medicare sign up options are available here.
The projected standard monthly Medicare Part B premium for 2027 is $209.50 *
Annual Part B Deductible: $292.00 *
*proposed. Should be confirmed by CMS in Nov 2026
If you have Part A and Part B, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan, sometimes called “Part C” or an “MA or MAPD plan.” This type of Medicare health plan is offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D).
Many Medicare Advantage Plans have a $0 monthly premium, and offer extra benefits not available under Original Medicare such as vision, dental, and more.
Medicare Advantage Plans include:
A Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage Plan offered by private insurance companies that tailors its benefits, provider networks, and drug lists to people with specific health conditions or financial needs Add an answer to this item.
The Three Types of Special Needs Plans
• Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP): Built for individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans coordinate benefits and often lower out-of-pocket costs.
• Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP): Designed for people managing severe or disabling chronic conditions—such as diabetes, end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disorders, or dementia.
• Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP): Made for individuals who live in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home, or require that level of institutional care at home.
Medigap policies are offered by private health insurance companies to help cover your share of out-of-pocket costs with Original Medicare.
All Medigap policies are standardized. This means, policies with the same letter offer the same basic benefits no matter where you live or which insurance company you buy the policy from.
There are 10 different types of Medigap plans offered in most states, which are named by letters: A-D, F, G, and K-N. Price is the only difference between plans with the same letter that are sold by different insurance companies.
Medicare Part D is a voluntary prescription drug benefit program for people with Medicare that helps cover the cost of most outpatient prescription drugs, including brand-name and generic drugs, as well as many recommended vaccines and shots.
You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if at any time after your Initial Enrollment Period is over, there's a period of 63 or more days in a row when you don't have Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage. You’ll generally have to pay the penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" ($41.33 in 2027) times the number of full, uncovered months you didn't have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly penalty is rounded to the nearest $.10 and added to your monthly Part D premium.
West Florida Health & Life Insurance PL is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage organizations and Medicare Supplements. Each of the organizations they represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.”
“The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.”
"We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 13 organizations which offer 74 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options
"West Florida Health & Life Insurance PL Lic# L077254 , is a licensed insurance agency that works with Medicare enrollees to explain Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug Plan options.
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