If you’re turning 65 years old in Green Bay, Wisconsin, you’re probably hearing a lot about Medicare, enrollment periods, penalties, and the dozens of plan options out there—and while some people call it a milestone or even a rite of passage into retirement, others feel like it’s more of an avalanche of paperwork and decisions that show up all at once and expect you to know exactly what you’re doing. It’s overwhelming. It’s confusing. It’s important. And it’s exactly why working with a reliable, independent health insurance agency in Green Bay, WI makes all the difference.
Why This Stage Matters
Learning about Medicare for the first time is a bit like stepping into a completely new world with new language, new rules, and new timing. You need to know when to enroll, what kind of plan fits your lifestyle and finances, and whether you’re even required to take certain parts or not. The good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. A good health insurance agency in Green Bay, WI that knows the area, the plans, the rules, and your needs can make this a smooth transition instead of a stressful one.
Starting With the Basics
You become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Some people with disabilities or those who have received Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months also qualify earlier. Medicare has four parts: A, B, C, and D. But really, you only need to understand three of them right away: A, B, and D.
- Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice, and some home health services.
- Part B is medical insurance. It helps with doctor visits, outpatient care, medical supplies, and some preventive services.
- Part D covers prescription drugs.
Part C, which is Medicare Advantage, is a way to bundle everything together—we’ll talk more about that in a bit. You also have the option of pairing A and B with a Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap.
How to Enroll
If you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll likely be automatically enrolled into Medicare Part A and B. You’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail a few months before your birthday.
But if you’re not taking Social Security yet, you’ll need to manually enroll. You can do this online at SSA.gov, through your local Social Security office, or—if you want help every step of the way—just give our office a call. We walk people through this all the time and we’re more than happy to do it with you.
You’re eligible for Medicare on the first day of the month you turn 65. That gives you a seven-month window to enroll: three months before your birthday, your birth month, and three months after. If you wait too long and miss this window without having other credible coverage, you could face penalties that stick with you permanently. This is why it’s important to talk to someone who knows what they’re doing—and why having a local health insurance agency in Green Bay, WI on your team can save you from mistakes you might not even know you’re making.
Picking a Plan: What Do You Actually Need?
If you just stick with Original Medicare (A and B), you’ll have deductibles and 20% coinsurance. There’s also no out-of-pocket maximum which means a serious illness or injury could still leave you with some huge medical bills. You also don’t get drug coverage unless you enroll in a Part D plan.
This is where your real choices begin:
- Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap): These work alongside Original Medicare to cover some or all of that 20% that you’re responsible for after Medicare. These plans typically have a higher extra monthly cost per month (often $150 or more), but in return, you’ll pay very little at the doctor or hospital. You have a lot of flexibility and are able to see any doctor who accepts Medicare assignment and even those who don’t.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C): Part C plans (Medicare Advantage) combines Part A, B, and usually Part D. These are all-in-one plans and much more ‘pay as you go’ type plans. Many include extra perks like dental, vision, gym memberships, over-the-counter catalogs, and more.
A great health insurance agency in Green Bay, WI can help you compare these plans and help you determine which fits your lifestyle, health needs, and budget.
Picking a Company: Why Independence Matters
Once you’ve chosen the type of coverage you want (Advantage or Supplement), you still need to pick the actual company and plan. This is where working with an independent agent really helps. Captive agents only work for one company. Independent agents work for you. They can shop the entire market and help you compare plans from all the major carriers. Our agency, OnMedicare, is proud to be an independent health insurance agency in Green Bay, WI. That means we get to focus on what’s best for you, not just what’s best for one company.
Timing and Enrollment Periods
Medicare has a lot of rules around when you can sign up or make changes. Besides your Initial Enrollment Period (around your 65th birthday), you may also qualify for Special Enrollment Periods if you have:
- Employer group coverage
- Union or retiree health coverage
- VA benefits
- TRICARE
- COBRA or other special circumstances
Each situation has unique timelines and rules, so it’s important to talk through your situation with someone who understands each of these and otherexceptions. A lot of people make mistakes here, not because they’re careless, but because the rules are complicated and nobody explained them well. That’s why we’re here.
Make it Personal
At OnMedicare, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all plans. We take time to get to know you. We look at your prescriptions, your doctors, your travel habits, your budget, and even what kind of healthcare experience you prefer. That’s how we match you with the right plan—and why people say we’re the most caring health insurance agency in Green Bay, WI.
Whether you want to talk in person, over the phone, or virtually, we’re here. Our office is right on Cardinal Lane, and we love meeting new people. We’re a team of real people with real hearts who want you to feel confident, supported, and taken care of from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
Turning 65 a thing to celebrate! It should feel like stepping forward into a new part of life, not a confusing mess of deadlines, penalties, paperwork and options that no one can explain. If you’re reading this and you’re in Green Bay, WI, know that we’re right here for you. We’re not just any health insurance agency in Green Bay, WI—we’re your neighbor, your guide, and your advocate.