Medicare Advantage Guidance
Understand your Medicare Advantage options.
Learn how Medicare Advantage works, what to compare, and when you may be able to enroll. When you're ready, explore available plans through our online quote and enrollment portal.
You'll leave this website to visit our external quote and enrollment portal. Comparing plans does not enroll you in coverage.
TPMO Disclaimer
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New Dawn Assurance Group is an insurance agency. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is another way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a Medicare-approved private insurance company. Most Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage, called Part D.
Some plans offer additional benefits, such as dental, vision, or hearing coverage. Benefits, eligibility, costs, and availability vary by plan and service area.
Compare Parts A, B, C, and D
Medicare has four parts. Select each one to see what it typically covers, how it works, and what to consider.
Part A: Hospital insurance
What it typically helps cover
- Inpatient hospital care
- Short-term skilled nursing facility care, under certain conditions
- Hospice care
- Some home health care
How it works
Most people get Part A automatically when they turn 65 and qualify for premium-free coverage based on their or a spouse's work history. A deductible and coinsurance may apply to covered stays.
Things to consider
- Long-term custodial care, such as help with daily living, is generally not covered.
- Covered stay lengths and deductible amounts can change each year.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what matters to you. We'll point out which Medicare parts are most often relevant to each need.
Parts that may be relevant
Select one or more needs on the left to see which Medicare parts typically relate to them.
This tool is for general education only. It is not a recommendation or a description of any specific plan. Coverage, costs, and rules vary by plan and service area. For details, review a plan's Evidence of Coverage or speak with a licensed agent.
Look beyond the monthly premium
A plan's monthly premium is only one part of what you may pay. Consider these six factors when comparing Medicare Advantage plans.
Doctors and hospitals
Check whether your preferred doctors, specialists, and hospitals participate in the plan's network.
Prescription medications
Review the plan's covered drug list, pharmacy network, and estimated prescription costs.
Total costs
Compare premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and the annual out-of-pocket limit for covered medical services.
Plan rules
Understand referrals, prior authorization requirements, and how out-of-network care is handled.
Additional benefits
Review any dental, vision, hearing, or other benefits, including limits and eligibility requirements.
Your existing coverage
Before making a change, check how enrollment could affect employer, union, retiree, Medicaid, or other coverage.
Note: Plan details change each year. Review the plan's Evidence of Coverage and Annual Notice of Change for the current year's benefits, costs, and rules before making a decision.
When can you enroll?
There are specific times when you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan. Common enrollment periods include:
Initial Enrollment Period
When you first become eligible for Medicare, generally a 7-month window around your 65th birthday.
Annual Enrollment Period
Each year from October 15 to December 7, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan.
Open Enrollment Period
From January 1 to March 31, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may switch to another or return to Original Medicare.
Special Enrollment Periods
Certain life events—such as moving, losing other coverage, or qualifying for extra help—may let you change plans outside the standard windows.
Enrollment rules and dates can change. Confirm current periods and your eligibility through Medicare.gov or by speaking with a licensed agent.
Turning 65 guide
Your Medicare enrollment checklist & timeline
If you're turning 65, this guide walks you through what to gather and when key steps happen. Check off each item as you go, then print or save the full guide to keep with your documents.
Opens a printable guide page. In the print dialog, choose Save as PDF as the destination to download a copy.
Your turning 65 timeline
3 months before you turn 65
Start learning your options
Review how Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and prescription drug coverage (Part D) work. Gather your current coverage details, prescriptions, and a list of your doctors.
The month before you turn 65
Collect your documents
Have your Social Security number, birth date, and proof of any current employer, union, or retiree coverage ready. If you receive Social Security benefits, watch your mail for Medicare materials.
Your Initial Enrollment Period
Enroll in Medicare
This 7-month window begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. If you're not automatically enrolled, sign up for Parts A and/or B during this time.
After Parts A & B start
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans
Once your Medicare coverage is active, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Part D plan. Compare networks, drug lists, total costs, and extra benefits for your area.
Each fall: October 15 – December 7
Review during Annual Enrollment
Every year you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Review each plan's Annual Notice of Change for updates to costs and benefits.
Enrollment checklist
This guide is for general education only. It is not a recommendation or a description of any specific plan. Enrollment rules and dates can change. Confirm current periods and your eligibility through Medicare.gov or by speaking with a licensed agent. When you're ready to compare plans, visit our external quote and enrollment portal.
Request a call
Have questions? Request a call.
Prefer to speak with someone before comparing plans? Request a call from New Dawn Assurance Group about your Medicare options.
Ready to compare plans and costs?
Visit our external quote and enrollment portal to review available Medicare Advantage plans in your area.
You'll leave this website to visit our external quote and enrollment portal. Comparing plans does not enroll you in coverage.
TPMO Disclaimer
[EDITOR-ONLY PLACEHOLDER: Insert the finalized, applicable TPMO disclaimer here before publishing. This placeholder is not shown to site visitors.]