Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is a traditional, federal government-managed health insurance program. It is a fee-for-service model made up of two distinct parts: 

Part A (hospital insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home healthcare. Most people get premium-free Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. 

Part B (medical insurance): Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab tests and durable medical equipment. You must pay a standard monthly premium for Part B. 

Medicare Advantage (also called Part C) is another way to receive your Original Medicare coverage (Part A and Part B) through a private insurance company. You get most of your coverage from your health plan instead of Original Medicare. Plans offer extra benefits such as dental, hearing and vision, care management services, fitness memberships, an allowance for over-the-counter health products, and more.

Some Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D (prescription drug coverage). 

There are three easy ways to enroll in Medicare. 

Connect with an agent 

Enroll online

Attend a virtual seminar   

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. There are four parts to Medicare and the first two parts, Part A and Part B, are known as Original Medicare. 

Part A (hospital insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home healthcare. Most people get premium-free Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. 

Part B (medical insurance): Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab tests and durable medical equipment. You must pay a standard monthly premium for Part B. 

Part C (Medicare Advantage): Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, combines Medicare Part A and Part B into one plan. It offers additional benefits such as dental, hearing and vision care, care management services, fitness memberships and an allowance for over-the-counter health products. 

Part D (prescription drug coverage): Our members can choose a Medicare Advantage plan with Part D prescription drug coverage for extra savings. Security Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage options with or without Part D benefits.  

If you are already receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement or disability benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Original Medicare. Otherwise, most people become eligible for Original Medicare when they reach 65 years of age.

To sign up for Original Medicare, call or visit your local Social Security office. 

For general information, visit Medicare.gov or view the Medicare & You official U.S. government handbook. These resources give an overview of Medicare benefits, coverage options, rights and protections. 

Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are all types of Medicare plans that offer different types of coverage. 

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, combines Medicare Part A and Part B into one plan. It usually includes prescription drug coverage (Part D) and may also offer additional benefits such as dental, hearing and vision care, care management services, fitness memberships and an allowance for over-the-counter health products.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, is available to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B. This is a supplemental plan option that works alongside Original Medicare to help pay additional out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, copays and coinsurance.

Some Medigap plans also provide additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as healthcare coverage for traveling outside of the United States. Medigap does not include prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Depending on the circumstances, applicants may need to complete medical underwriting before a policy can be issued. 

Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) 

D-SNP plans are a combination of Medicare and Medicaid. They cover hospital, medical and prescription costs in one plan, often with little or no cost. D-SNPs have provider networks, so you must receive care from doctors in your network for coverage. These plans work best when you’re also enrolled in the same company’s Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) for Medicaid. 

Our plans give you access to thousands of high-quality doctors and specialists across Wisconsin and nationwide. With our point-of-service coverage, you pay the same costs for medical services both in-network and out-of-network. 

Initial Enrollment Period

Applies three months immediately before, the month of, and the three months after your eligibility month (for most people, their 65th birthday.)

Annual Enrollment Period

Oct. 15–Dec. 7
Applies to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. 

Special Enrollment Period

Applies to certain situations when a qualifying life event occurs, such as a loss of coverage, Medicare plan changes, or moving into or out of a skilled nursing facility. 

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

Jan. 1–March 31
Applies to Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) plans. 

The amount you pay for Medicare depends on the coverage you choose, the healthcare services and benefits you use throughout the year and your health plan’s in-network and out-of-network costs. 

Costs you may pay with Medicare

Medicare Part B and most Medicare Part C, Part D and Medigap plans charge monthly premiums. In some cases, you may also have to pay a premium for Part A. A premium is a fixed amount you pay to Medicare, a private insurance company or both. 

You’ll also pay a share of the cost for your care and your Medicare or Medigap coverage will pay the rest. 

There are three types of cost sharing:

Deductible: A set amount you pay out of pocket for covered services before Medicare or your plan begins to pay. 

Copay: A fixed amount you pay at the time you receive a covered service or benefit. For example, you might pay $20 for an X-ray or $9 when you fill a prescription. 

Coinsurance: The amount you may be required to pay as your share of a covered service. For example, Medicare Part B pays about 80% of the cost of a covered service, and you would pay the remaining 20%.

Most people don’t pay a Part A premium. You may pay a Part A premium if you or your spouse haven’t worked and paid taxes for at least 10 years. Part B has a monthly premium you pay directly to Medicare, and the amount you pay can vary based on your income level. Other costs you may pay with Original Medicare include deductibles, coinsurance and copays