You can get assistance choosing a Medicare plan from a number of sources.
Call a Medicare representative
If you wish to speak with someone about all of your Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan options, then call a Medicare representative at 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-Medicare).
Medicare representatives provide an unbiased perspective of all Medicare plans in your area and you can get a good estimate of your annual drug costs at local pharmacies. If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare representative can provide an overview of healthcare coverage . A Medicare representative is available 7 days per week and 24 hours a day and can process your enrollment into any available Medicare plan over the telephone.
Visit the Medicare.gov Plan Finder (or MyMedicare.gov)
The federal government provides an online plan finder tool that will help you review your Medicare plan options. The tool is very comprehensive, allowing you to enter your financial assistance status, your prescription drugs, your pharmacies, and review plans by annual estimated cost. You also have the option of comparing plan options online and printing your results. Some people find the Plan Finder difficult to use due to the vast amount of information provided by the tool. If you feel the Plan Finder is too complex for you, then you can speak with a Medicare representative as mentioned above.
Call or visit a SHIP counselor
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) volunteers are available to provide an unbiased overview all Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans and can even help you complete your enrollment applications. SHIP representatives are also well trained and have a great deal of experience working with Medicare beneficiaries. If you do not have a local SHIP office, you can also visit a local Council on Aging or senior center for assistance or a recommendation of further help. You can contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) by calling toll-free 1-877-839-2675.
Speak or visit with an Insurance Agent
Insurance agents are well trained to know their Medicare plan's coverage in detail and can provide a personal understanding of their products that you may not find from an online tool. Many people work with the same agent over the years and like the idea of being able to actually know the person who enrolled them into their plan. Insurance agents who market Medicare products must participate in annual training to stay well-informed and their marketing activities are highly regulated by the state and federal government. You can find insurance agents in your area by visiting an agent's local office, looking in the phone book, or asking a friend for a referral. Often the same person who provides your auto or home insurance also offers Medicare plans or can help you find an agent who represents Medicare plans.
Try our Q1Medicare.com tools
Our Q1Medicare® site offers many tools to help you review Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Part D prescription drug (PDP) Plan Finder: We also have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan overview tool so you can review all available stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans based on monthly premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing – as well as, which plans provide full Medicare/Medicaid extra help: see our Medicare Part D Plan Finder at PDP-Finder.com - just begin by choosing your state.
Medicare Advantage Plan Finder: If you are looking for a Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage), you can use our Medicare Advantage Plan Finder to see all Medicare plans in your area: MA-Finder.com - just begin by entering your Zip Code.
Formulary Browser: We also have all Medicare Part D prescription drug plan formularies (drug lists) online and your can browse each formulary alphabetically. To review any Medicare plan's drug list or formulary, see our Formulary Browser: FormularyBrowser.com
Q1Rx® Drug Finder: Our Drug Finder shows the availability and coverage of each drug across all Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans in your area. For example, you may wish to see how all Medicare Part D plans in Florida cover the generic drug Atorvastatin 10mg. To compare Medicare plan coverage of a particular prescription, please see our Drug Finder: Q1Rx.com.