Our consultation and policy review services are completely 100% free. You don’t pay us a dime — we’re compensated by the insurance carriers if you choose a plan. There’s no pressure, and no obligation.

Our free service includes:

• Conduct an annual policy review and rate comparison to ensure you have the most suitable coverage at the lowest possible premium.

• Provide year-round account support, including assistance with billing issues, eligibility questions, and claims resolution.

• Save you time by handling the research and administrative work, so you don’t have to.

• Guide you through the renewal process and keep you informed of any government or regulatory changes that could impact your coverage.

Agents and brokers receive commissions from the insurance carriers they are contracted with when they write your policy. These commissions are built into your insurance premiums, whether you work with a broker or not. The rates we provide are exactly the same as the rates offered directly by the insurance carriers — there’s no added cost for working with us.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, or under 65 with certain disabilities or medical conditions like End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). You’re typically eligible for premium-free Part A if you or your spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (about 10 years). Even if you haven’t worked enough, you can still get coverage—you may just pay a monthly premium for Part A.

Not necessarily. While age is one factor, you must also meet specific citizenship or residency requirements—and in many cases, a work history requirement as well. You may qualify if:

• You’re a U.S. citizen, or

• You’re lawfully present in the U.S. (such as a green card holder) and you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years).

  • If you’re qualifying through your spouse, you must have been married for at least one year, and your spouse must be at least 62.

If you’re a permanent legal resident but haven’t earned 40 quarters of work, you may still be eligible for Medicare after living continuously in the U.S. for at least five years.

Important: If neither you nor your spouse earned 40 work credits, you can still get Medicare—but you’ll have to pay a monthly premium for Part A.

While most people qualify at 65, about 10.5% of Medicare beneficiaries are under 65 and qualify due to a disability or certain medical conditions. You may be eligible for Medicare early if:

• You’ve received Social Security Disability benefits for at least 24 months

• You receive a disability pension from the Railroad Retirement Board and meet specific criteria

• You have ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) — Medicare begins the same month your disability benefits start

• You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), requiring regular dialysis or a kidney transplant

  • In this case, you (or a spouse/parent, if you’re a dependent) must also have paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years, based on your age

If you don’t qualify through your own or your spouse’s work history, but you’re a U.S. citizen or have been a legal U.S. resident for at least five continuous years, you can still get Medicare at age 65 or older—but you’ll pay a monthly premium for Part A (hospital insurance).

Part A premium costs in 2025:

• $0/month if you (or your spouse) have 40+ quarters (about 10 years of work)

• If you’re unsure about your earned quarters or whether you’ll have any extra costs, you can contact Medicare directly to get clarification.

💡 Good news: If you keep working and eventually earn 40 quarters, your Part A premium will go away.

• Part A covers hospital stays. In general, Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care you get in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care.

• Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. Durable medical equipment (DME). Ambulance services.

  • Medically necessary services: Services or supplies that meet accepted standards of medical practice to diagnose or treat your medical condition.
  • Preventive services: Health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage when treatment is likely to work best. 

• Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an all-in-one plan offered by private insurers, often with extra benefits.

• Part D covers prescription drugs.

It depends. If you have credible employer coverage, you may not need to enroll in Part B right away. But it’s important to understand your options to avoid late penalties. I can help you review your situation.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) combines Parts A and B—and usually Part D—into one plan offered by private insurers. Many include extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and gym memberships. Some even include coverage for things like over-the-counter items or transportation.

Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, routine dental or vision, hearing aids, or cosmetic surgery. That’s why many people consider Medicare Advantage plans or supplemental coverage (Medigap) to help fill in the gaps.

Both Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans can help with healthcare costs, but they serve different purposes and have different coverage.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans often include extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as:

• Dental, vision, and hearing coverage

• Prescription drug coverage (Part D)

• Fitness programs (e.g., gym memberships)

• Over-the-counter health products or allowances

Some Medicare Advantage plans may even offer zero-dollar premiums, though you still have to pay your Part B premium. These plans typically require you to use a specific network of doctors or hospitals (HMO or PPO networks).

Medigap (Medicare Supplement)

Medigap plans work with Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to help cover out-of-pocket costs, like copayments, coinsurance, and in some cases, deductibles (depending on the plan). However, Medigap plans sold after January 1, 2020, do not cover the Part B deductible anymore, though they may cover other types of out-of-pocket costs.

Medigap helps pay for:

• Part A coinsurance for hospital stays (up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up)

• Part B coinsurance or copayments for doctor visits and outpatient services

• Part A deductible (for hospital inpatient care)

• Blood (first three pints needed for a transfusion)

• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance

• Foreign travel emergency care (in some plans)

However, Medigap doesn’t cover:

• Prescription drugs (you’ll need a separate Part D plan for that)

• Vision, dental, or hearing services

• Long-term care

Medigap plans do not replace Original Medicare. You must still have Parts A and B and pay their premiums, and you can visit any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.

Key Differences:

• Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare and includes additional benefits like dental, vision, and drug coverage.

• Medigap supplements Original Medicare and helps pay for out-of-pocket costs like coinsurance and deductibles, but it doesn’t cover additional benefits like prescriptions, dental, or vision.

• Your Initial Enrollment Period is 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday.

• Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7, when you can change plans.

• Open Enrollment for Medicare Advantage is January 1 to March 31 if you’re already in a Part C plan.

You could face late enrollment penalties, especially for Part B and Part D. These penalties can last a lifetime, so it’s important to get the timing right. Let’s talk before any deadlines pass.

Part A is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes. Part B has a monthly premium (around $185 in 2025), and Part D or Medicare Advantage plans have varying costs. If you’re on a fixed income, you may qualify for Extra Help or Medicaid assistance.

Yes! You can switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period each fall—or during special times if you qualify due to life changes (like moving or losing employer coverage). I can help you review your options each year.

When you’re exploring Medicare options, working with an AHIP-certified agent is essential for receiving comprehensive and unbiased advice. As an AHIP-certified agent, I can offer Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans. This means I can present you with all your available options, ensuring you understand and can compare each plan to find the best fit for your healthcare needs.

On the other hand, if an agent is not AHIP-certified, they can only offer and discuss the one product they represent. This limits their ability to provide a full overview of your Medicare options, as they won’t be able to offer Medicare Advantage plans or Part D prescription drug plans, which are essential parts of the Medicare system.

With AHIP certification, I’m qualified to:

• Discuss and offer Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap, and Medicare Part D coverage.

• Provide a comprehensive comparison of these plans, helping you make an informed decision about what best suits your health and financial needs.

• Offer unbiased guidance, helping you understand all the options available in the Medicare market.

By choosing to work with me, Greg O’Rourke, an AHIP-certified agent, you’ll get the most complete and knowledgeable advice across all Medicare options, ensuring you receive the best possible care at the best possible price.

Enrolling in Medicare can seem overwhelming, but I’m here to help guide you through the process. You have two options for enrolling in Medicare:

1. We Can Help You:
   As an AHIP-certified agent, I can assist you with the entire enrollment process, including helping you choose the right plan based on your needs and budget. Whether you’re signing up for Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Medicare Part D coverage, I’ll walk you through your options and make sure you understand the steps. We’ll ensure you’re enrolled in the plan that fits your health care needs best.

2. Go Direct to Medicare:
   If you prefer to handle the process yourself, you can always go directly to Medicare. You can enroll online at www.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Keep in mind, if you choose this route, you’ll miss out on the personalized advice and support that I can provide when navigating your options.

Whether you decide to go through me or enroll directly with Medicare, I’m here to make sure you’re informed and ready to make the best decisions for your healthcare.

Medicare Sends the Part B bill:

1. Quarterly Billing (Every 3 Months):

   • If you’re not receiving Social Security benefits yet, Medicare will bill you directly.

   • You’ll get a paper bill in the mail about 3 months at a time (quarterly).

   • The bill will be labeled as CMS-500.

2. Monthly Deduction (No Bill Sent):

   • If you’re receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, or Civil Service benefits, your Part B premium is usually automatically deducted from your check each month.

   • In this case, no separate bill is mailed to you.

Payment Options:

You can pay your Part B premium in several ways:

• Online: Through your Medicare account.

• Bank Bill Pay: Set up recurring payments through your bank.

• Medicare Easy Pay: A free automatic deduction from your bank account (you must enroll).

• Mail: By sending a check, money order, or credit card form using the return envelope with your CMS-500 bill.

if you’re enrolled in Medicare Easy Pay, your **Part B premium is automatically deducted **monthly from your bank account.

Here’s how it works:

✅ Medicare Easy Pay Details:

• Frequency: Once per month

• Timing: Usually around the 20th of each month

• Amount: The monthly Part B premium (or total owed if there’s a past-due amount)

• Notification: You’ll still get a statement showing what will be deducted, but no action is needed if everything looks correct

Good to Know:

• You can enroll or cancel Easy Pay anytime through your Medicare account or by submitting a form.

• It may take 6–8 weeks to start after enrollment, so you might still get a paper bill during the transition.