Medicare Resources & Enrollment Checklist

Medicare Consultation Checklist

Before your consultation, gather the following items so we can make the most of our time together:

Documents to Have Ready

Your Medicare card (red, white, and blue card) or your Medicare number
A list of your current prescription medications, including dosages and how often you take them
Names and addresses of your doctors, specialists, and any preferred hospitals or clinics
Information about any current health insurance coverage (employer, retiree, Medicaid, VA, etc.)

Questions to Think About

What is most important to you in a health plan — low monthly costs, low copays, or broad provider access?
Do you travel frequently or spend part of the year in another state?
Are there specific extra benefits you value, such as dental, vision, hearing, or fitness programs?
Do you have any upcoming procedures or treatments planned?

Key Medicare Dates

Mark these important enrollment periods on your calendar:

Initial Enrollment Period

Your personal seven-month window around your 65th birthday: the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after. This is when you first become eligible for Medicare.

Annual Enrollment Period

October 15 – December 7 each year. During this time, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

January 1 – March 31 each year. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one plan change during this period. The change takes effect the first of the following month.

Special Enrollment Periods

Certain life events — such as moving, losing employer coverage, or qualifying for Medicaid — may open a window for you to enroll or make changes outside of the standard periods. Contact us to find out if you qualify.

Helpful Links

Official Medicare Resources

Medicare.gov — Official U.S. Medicare website
Social Security Administration — Enroll in Medicare Parts A & B
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — 24/7 Medicare helpline

State Health Insurance Assistance (SHIP)

Utah SHIP: 1-800-541-7735 — Counseling on Medicare choices in Utah
Arizona SHIP: 1-800-432-4040 — Counseling on Medicare choices in Arizona

SHIP is a government-funded program providing unbiased Medicare counseling.

Medicare Glossary

Common terms you may encounter when comparing Medicare Advantage plans:

Premium: The monthly amount you pay for your health insurance plan, in addition to your Part B premium.
Deductible: The amount you must pay out of pocket before your plan begins covering certain services.
Copay (Copayment): A fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered service, such as $20 for a doctor visit.
Coinsurance: The percentage of costs you share with your plan after meeting your deductible, such as 20% of a procedure's cost.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum (MOOP): The most you will pay in a year for covered services. Once you reach this amount, your plan pays 100% for the rest of the year.
Formulary: A list of prescription drugs covered by a plan, organized into cost tiers.
Provider Network: The group of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that have agreed to provide care under a specific plan.
Prior Authorization: Approval from your plan required before certain services or medications are covered.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): A type of plan that generally requires you to use in-network providers and get referrals for specialists.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): A type of plan that allows you to see out-of-network providers at a higher cost, usually without referrals.
Star Rating: A quality rating system used by Medicare to grade plans on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, based on member satisfaction, care quality, and plan performance.
Scope of Appointment (SOA): A form that documents which types of Medicare products will be discussed during a meeting with an agent. Required by CMS before an appointment.

Medicare Resources