Why does my county matter for Medicare plans?

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are approved and priced county by county, so two people with the same doctors and prescriptions living twenty minutes apart can have completely different options.

When can I change my Medicare plan?

Enrollment may be limited to certain times of year. The Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday runs seven months. Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Special Enrollment Periods can open after events such as moving or losing employer coverage.

Medicare plans are sold county by county.

Q: Does a Medicare plan check cost anything?

No. There is no fee for the review and no obligation to change anything.

I'll check your doctors and prescriptions against the plans actually sold where you live.

Have Michael check your plans

Name and number is all I need. No quiz, no cost.

Please add your name, a 10-digit phone number, and check the box so I'm allowed to call you.

That didn't go through on my end. Please call me directly at (305) 859-1704 and I'll take care of it.

Got it.

Save (305) 859-1704 so you know it's me. Have your doctor and medication list handy — that's the whole check.

Rather just talk now? (305) 859-1704

What the check actually covers

Your doctors, by name. Not "most doctors in your area" — the specific people you see, checked against each plan's network.
Your prescriptions, by name and dose. Drug lists differ by plan and change every year, including for plans you already have.
Your pharmacy. Cost for the same drug can differ depending on where you fill it.
What's actually sold in your county. Not a national list.

Why the county matters

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are approved and priced county by county. Two people the same age, with the same doctors and the same prescriptions, living twenty minutes apart, can have completely different options. It's the first thing that has to be right, which is why the ZIP is worth giving even though it's optional.

When you're able to make a change

Enrollment in a plan may be limited to certain times of the year. The main ones:

Turning 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months: the three months before your birthday month, that month, and the three months after.
Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7. Anyone with Medicare can change plans for the following year.
Special Enrollment Periods. Moving, losing employer coverage, and certain other life events can open a window outside those dates.

If you're outside every window, I'll tell you that on the call rather than waste your time. Knowing the date you can act is worth the conversation on its own.

Common questions

Does this cost anything? No. There's no fee for the review and no obligation to change anything.

Will you tell me to switch? Only if the numbers say so. A fair share of these calls end with me telling someone their current plan is already the right one.

Are you with Medicare? No. I'm an independent licensed agent and I'm not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or the federal Medicare program.

How long does it take? Usually fifteen to twenty minutes if you have your doctor and medication list handy.

Michael von Heesen, an independent licensed Florida agent (license G345487, NPN 22236708), AHIP certified, based in Miami and serving all of Florida by phone. I'm not employed by a carrier, so I'm not steering you to one company's plan. One person, no call center, and your information is never sold. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.