Your Local Help with Medicare Enrollment in New York

Medicare enrollment always seems to feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to understand eligibility, compare coverage options, and decide between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, or Medigap.

Add in the paperwork for Part A, Part B, and Part D, and it is easy to see why so many new and existing Medicare beneficiaries look for local help.

The good news is you do not have to do this alone.

Our team at PlanMedicare has helped more than 50,000 New Yorkers and is trusted by over 500 financial advisors to make Medicare enrollment simple and stress-free.

Local Medicare Help in New York

Local resources matter because healthcare decisions are personal. While Medicare.gov and other official websites provide national rules, local experts know which hospitals and doctors are in-network, which prescription drug plans work best in your county, and what community programs like Medicaid or Medicare Savings Programs can help reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Pair that local intel with PlanMedicare’s hands-on assistance and you will have a clear path to the right insurance plan.

We have offices in both New York City near Central Park and Long Island in Melville.

Who can I talk to about enrolling in Medicare?

Here are three ways to get Medicare enrollment help in New York. We’re obviously biased to option one, but want to make sure and provide you all your options.

1. PlanMedicare
   We combine local insight with expert guidance on Medicare enrollment, helping you complete forms, compare Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans while coordinating with your financial advisor if you have any issues with your Medicare premiums based on your earned income level in retirement.
2. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)
   New York’s HIICAP program offers one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries. These counselors do not sell insurance; they educate you on Medicare coverage, enrollment periods, and savings programs like Extra Help for prescription drug coverage. Call the toll-free number 1-800-701-0501 or visit the official website for details.
3. Area Agencies on Aging and Community Centers
   These agencies provide Medicare counseling, wellness programs, and even workshops on Medicare Advantage and Medigap. They can also connect you to Medicaid and long-term care resources.

Medicare Enrollment Scenarios

Turning 65 and New to Medicare

Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: three months before your birthday, your birth month, and three months after. During this time, you can enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or choose a Medicare Advantage plan. Visit Medicare.gov for official details. PlanMedicare will help you review coverage options and avoid late enrollment penalties.

Working Past 65 with Employer Health Insurance

If you have health insurance through an employer with 20 or more employees, you may delay Part B without penalty. When that coverage ends, you have an eight-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B.

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare becomes primary at 65, so you need to enroll in Part A and Part B to avoid gaps.

PlanMedicare will confirm your eligibility and help you time your enrollment correctly.

Retiring or Losing Employer Coverage and Joining Medicare

You will need to complete CMS-40B (Application for Part B) and CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

These forms can be submitted online through the Social Security Administration (SSA), by fax, mail, or in person. PlanMedicare will guide you through this process and ensure your Medicare coverage starts on time.

Once you have enrolled in Medicare, you can then decide if you want to participate in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement.  Pricing for these plans are broken up by city and zip code which include Albany, Buffalo, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, NYC Proper, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Watertown and Westchester.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Anytime you are preparing to get local assistance for Medicare enrollment, you’ll want to be prepared with these basic items.

• Social Security card and Medicare number. If you don’t have your Medicare number yet, thats okay and an advisor will walk you through exactly what to do.
• Employer health insurance details. This is especially important if you are transitioning off your employer health insurance and on to Medicare.
• List of prescriptions and preferred pharmacies. This is a requirement by law to enter all your prescriptions in order to get the best drug coverage.
• Any notices about creditable prescription drug coverage. This is important if you are already on Medicare but never elected your part D coverage. When you have creditable coverage, you can avoid the penalty. If you don’t have this documentation, our advisors can help you confirm by calling Medicare with you to confirm.
• Completed CMS-40B and CMS-L564 forms if applying during a Special Enrollment Period.

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The main mistakes we see most often are typically preventable when you start the process early and work with a qualified Medicare advisor.

• Missing your enrollment period and facing lifetime Part B penalties. People seem to underestimate this part of the process and end up with lifetime penalties.
• Assuming COBRA or retiree coverage counts as active employment coverage (it does not). Any current coverage besides Medicare must be creditable, otherwise you’ll face penalties for late enrollment.
• Forgetting to coordinate Medicare with Medicaid or private insurance options.
• Not specifying your desired Part B start date on CMS-40B.

Why Choose PlanMedicare?

PlanMedicare has provided local assistance for Medicare enrollment for over 15 years. We have a PlanMedicare office in New York City near Central Park, and another location in Melville to serve the Long Island community. Here are some other ways that make us uniquely qualified to help with Medicare enrollment.

• We have strong local experience and have helped more than 50,000 New Yorkers with Medicare enrollment.
• Trusted by over 500 financial advisors to align healthcare and retirement planning.
• While we’re headquartered in New York, we are licensed in all 50 states.
• Expertise in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements (Medigap), prescription drug coverage, and the ancillary policies that cover additional expenses related to hospitalization and diagnosis of critical illnesses.
• Personalized support for every enrollment period, whether Initial, Special, or Open Enrollment.

Get Help With Medicare Enrollment?

PlanMedicare is here if you’re looking to get help with Medicare enrollment.

• We will confirm your Medicare eligibility status
• Prepare your Medicare enrollment forms
• Compare Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies, and prescription drug plans tailored to your needs based on where you live in New York.
• We help you explore Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs if you qualify for Extra Help.
• We provide white glove Medicare planning from start to finish.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let us make your Medicare enrollment stress-free.