The way we shop for Medicare plans today is, in a word, nuts. You spend weeks, maybe months, researching Medicare online and making calls. Then, when you find a Medicare plan you want — whether because it’s the right one or because you just can’t search any longer — it takes more paperwork and phone calls to enroll. It’s time-consuming, it’s frustrating, and it can keep you from making the best Medicare choices.

Today, there is a faster, easier way to find a Medicare plan you can be confident in. Healthpilot is a free website that makes finding a Medicare plan easier by recommending the most optimal Medicare plans for your specific needs and letting you enroll in minutes. And there’s no sales pitch for any plan, ever. Medicare Annual Enrollment starts October 15 and runs until December 7. Now is the time to discover Healthpilot and learn more about your Medicare options.

First, Some Medicare Basics.

You don’t have to be a Medicare expert to use Healthpilot. But if you’re new to Medicare, learning a little about the program can help you choose the right plan.

Medicare is the health insurance program run by the federal government for adults aged 65 and older and for people with disabilities or certain health conditions. It helps people pay for hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription drugs. Medicare has various “Parts.” They are:

Medicare Part A covers hospital care and services. This includes coverage for in-patient hospital stays, care received in a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center, and more.

Medicare Part B covers physician services and other outpatient treatments such as x-rays, lab tests, and medical equipment like wheelchairs and walkers. Part B also covers preventive services.

Note: Together, Medicare Part A and Part B are often referred to as “Original Medicare.”

Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. This includes coverage from Medicare-approved private insurance companies. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare.  These bundled plans include all the services covered under Part A  and Part B, and may also include Medicare Part D coverage. Some Medicare Advantage Plans include extra benefits — such as routine dental, vision, and hearing exams that Original Medicare does not cover.

Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription drugs. Even if you don’t take prescription drugs now, you should consider getting Medicare drug coverage. It is optional and offered to everyone with Medicare. Part D prescription drug coverage is available through a standalone drug plan or through a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage.

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, helps pay your portion of medical expenses like copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. These policies are offered by private insurance companies to supplement Original Medicare coverage. Some Medicare Supplement Insurance policies also cover care when you travel outside the U.S.

When to Sign Up.

Most people become eligible for Medicare on the first day of the month they turn 65. To make a smooth transition from your employer plan to Medicare, you must sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after. (If you are collecting Social Security, you will already be enrolled.)

If you want to keep working and stay on your employer’s health plan after 65, you can delay signing up for Medicare with no penalty. When you’re ready to leave your employer’s plan, you must sign up for Medicare during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This period starts the month after your employer coverage ends and lasts for eight months.

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).

AEP occurs annually from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan or leave a Medicare Advantage Plan and get Original Medicare or switch to a new Part D prescription drug plan.

If you want to enroll in a Medigap policy, you can do so at any time of the year.

Medicare Plans Have Costs, Healthpliot Doesn't.

There is no premium for Medicare Part A if you have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If not, you will have to pay a monthly premium. Medicare Parts B and D and Medigap policies require monthly premiums. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) have costs, but these may or may not take the form of a monthly premium. If you have a high income, you may be subject to IRMAA (income-related monthly adjustment amount) surcharges.

Healthpilot is free to use. When you enroll in a Medicare plan through Healthpilot, we receive a commission from the plan provider.

Make Medicare Easier with Healthpilot.

Medicare isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are different types of plans, a choice of insurance carriers, and flexibility about when you can enroll. But having all those choices doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Healthpilot is a free* website that uses smart technology to assess your healthcare needs, then recommends a variety of Medicare plans in your area to meet those needs. It’s so easy to use. You can shop Medicare plans, select a plan and enroll in about 15 minutes. Plus, help is available at any time by phone or chat.

Unbiased recommendations.

Most Medicare brokers rely on their “gut” for plan suggestions. Healthpilot recommends plans based on facts about how you and others like you use and pay for healthcare. While Medicare brokers often represent a single company and one or two plans, Healthpilot has no bias in favor of any plan, ever.

Free service with no additional plan cost.

Healthpilot is free. You pay the exact same price for your Medicare plan whether you enroll through Healthpilot, another broker, or the insurance company.

The right plan this year and every year.

Healthpilot evaluates plans each year to confirm you are always in the right Medicare plan. Healthpilot will alert you if your coverage changes or if a plan that could be better for your needs becomes available.

Ready to find a Medicare plan without going crazy? Shop Medicare plans on Healthpilot. Or learn more about your Medicare options.

*Healthpilot.com is free with no obligation to enroll. Healthpilot.com is owned and operated by Healthpilot Technologies LLC, a licensed health insurance agency, also doing business as Healthpilot Insurance Services in the state of California.  Healthpilot is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.  This email is a solicitation of insurance.