Finally, Medicare guidance you can trust and understand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common Medicare and insurance questions

Why Families Choose Nexus

General Medicare

Basic Medicare questions and enrollment

Medicare Advantage

Part C plans and benefits

Medicare Supplement

Medigap plans and coverage

Our Services

How we help and what to expect

General Medicare Questions

Q1. When should I sign up for Medicare?

Ans. You can first enroll during your Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP), which starts 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after. If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.

Missing your initial enrollment period may result in late enrollment penalties and gaps in coverage.

Q2. What are the different parts of Medicare?

Ans. Medicare has four main parts:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care

• Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services

• Part C (Medicare Advantage): Private plans that combine Parts A, B, and usually D

• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Helps cover the cost of prescription medications

Q3. Can I change my Medicare plan after I enroll?

Ans. Yes, you can change your Medicare plan during specific enrollment periods:

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 - December 7 each year

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 - March 31 (if you're already in an MA plan)

• Special Enrollment Periods: Available for qualifying life events like moving, losing coverage, or changes in Extra Help status

Q4. What happens if I miss Part D enrollment?

Ans. If you don't sign up for Part D when you're first eligible and don't have other creditable prescription drug coverage, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. This penalty is calculated as 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for every month you went without coverage, and it's added to your premium for as long as you have Part D coverage.

Medicare Advantage Questions

Q1. What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare?

Ans. Medicare Advantage: Private insurance plans that replace Original Medicare. You get all Medicare benefits through one plan, often with additional benefits like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. You typically must use doctors and hospitals in the plan's network.

Original Medicare: The traditional fee-for-service program run by the federal government. You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare, but you pay coinsurance and deductibles. You may want to add a Medicare Supplement plan to help with costs.

Q2. Can I keep my current doctors with Medicare Advantage?

Ans. It depends on the plan's provider network. Medicare Advantage plans have networks of doctors and hospitals you must typically use to receive full benefits. Before enrolling, we'll help you verify that your preferred doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network.

Networks can change annually, so we review this during your annual plan review.

Q3. Do Medicare Advantage plans really have $0 premiums?

Ans. Many Medicare Advantage plans do have $0 monthly premiums, but you still pay your Medicare Part B premium to Social Security. Remember that $0 premium doesn't mean $0 costs – you'll still have copays, coinsurance, and deductibles when you use services.

We help you calculate your total expected costs, not just the premium, to find the best value for your situation.

Q4. What extra benefits might Medicare Advantage plans include?

Ans. Medicare Advantage plans may include benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover:

• Dental care (cleanings, fillings, sometimes major services)

• Vision care (eye exams, glasses, contacts)

• Hearing aids and exams

• Prescription drug coverage

• Wellness programs and gym memberships

• Transportation to medical appointments

• Over-the-counter medication allowances

• Telehealth services

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Questions

Q1. When is the best time to buy a Medicare Supplement plan?

Ans. The best time is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. This period lasts for 6 months, and during this time:

• You can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state

• You can't be denied coverage or charged more due to health problems

• You have guaranteed issue rights

After this period, you may have to answer health questions and could be denied coverage.

Q2. What's the difference between Plan G and Plan N?

Ans. Plan G: Covers all Medicare-approved costs except the Medicare Part B deductible ($240 in 2025). This is the most comprehensive coverage available to new Medicare beneficiaries.

Plan N: Covers most Medicare costs but requires small copays for doctor visits (up to $20) and emergency room visits (up to $50). The premium is typically lower than Plan G.

We'll help you calculate which plan offers better value based on your expected healthcare usage.

Q3. Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement?

Ans. Yes, you can switch during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7), but there are important considerations:

• You may have to answer health questions for the Medicare Supplement plan

• You could be denied coverage based on your health

• You'll need to enroll in a separate Part D plan for prescription coverage

• The change takes effect January 1st

We can help you understand your options and timing.

Q4. Do Medicare Supplement premiums increase over time?

Ans. Yes, Medicare Supplement premiums typically increase over time due to:

• Inflation: General increases in healthcare costs

• Age rating: Some plans increase premiums as you get older

• Claims experience: If the insurance company pays more claims than expected

We help you choose companies with stable rate increase histories and review your plan annually to ensure it remains competitive.

Questions About Our Services

Q1. . Is your service really free?

Ans. Yes, our consultation and enrollment services are completely free to you. Insurance companies pay us a commission when you enroll in a plan, which allows us to provide our services at no cost to you.

You pay the same premium whether you enroll through us or directly with the insurance company. The difference is that you get our expertise, ongoing support, and annual reviews.