How Medicare Works

Learning about Medicare can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. HAP is here, helping you understand the basics of Medicare (Parts A, B, C and D), the three main types of Medicare (Original, Medicare Advantage and Supplemental) and the enrollment timeline (all the way from signing to switching when a plan doesn’t meet your needs).

Enrollment Timeline

Everyone has different wants and needs. There's no single answer as to which Medicare coverage is best, but HAP can help you find a plan that works for you.

Your recommended timeline

Age 64

Get informed

Learn how Medicare works and research your options.

Age 64 +9 months

Time to enroll

You can enroll as early as three months before your 65th birthday, and up to three months after your 65th birthday.

Age 65

You are Medicare eligible

You can start receiving your Medicare benefits the first day of the month you turn 65. If you haven't already enrolled, time is running out.

Age 65 +3 months

Don't be late!

Most people generally need to enroll in Part B within three months after turning 65 to avoid paying a penalty, and adding Part D (prescription drug coverage) later will cost you more.

Age 65+

Want to switch?

If your current Medicare plan isn't meeting your needs, you can change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall of each year.

Not ready to retire?

If you plan on working past the age of 65, you may have options for how or when to receive your benefits. Before making any decisions, here are a few details to keep in mind:

You should still sign up for Part A – you can sign up as early as three months prior to your 65th birthday.
Ask your employer’s Human Resources team if you need to sign up for Medicare Part B (if your workplace employs fewer than 20 people, you may have to, or risk a federal penalty).
Check your prescription drug coverage – if it isn’t at least as good as Medicare’s, then you‘ll need to enroll in Part D to avoid penalties.

When you eventually stop working and your current coverage ends, you’ll have a special enrollment period and be able to transition to another Medicare plan without losing coverage

Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, and think about signing up for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or a Medicare Supplement plan.

Want to chat?

Give us a call or fill out the form below and we'll call you.
Still looking? Click on "Compare Plans" below to view all of our Medicare Advantage plan offerings.

Talk to a HAP licensed agent

Oct. 1 – March 31
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Seven days a week

April 1 - Sept. 30
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday

(888) 447-3850 (TTY: 711)

Compare HAP Medicare Advantage plans

View our available plans side-by-side to find the best fit for you.

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Health Alliance Plan (HAP) has HMO, HMO C-SNP, HMO-POS, and PPO plans with Medicare contracts. HAP Medicare Complete Duals (HMO D-SNP), HAP Medicare Complete Assist (PPO D-SNP), and HAP CareSource^TM MI Coordinated Health (HMO D-SNP) are Medicare health plans with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Michigan Medicaid Program that provides benefits of both programs to enrollees. Enrollment depends on contract renewals.