Frequently Asked Questions

MedicareMagic is a free service that helps you understand Medicare and find the right plan for your needs. We guide you through a simple 3-step process: collect your basic information, understand your healthcare needs, and show you personalized plan recommendations with clear explanations of costs and benefits.

You can browse plans and learn about Medicare without creating an account. However, to get personalized recommendations and save your preferences, you'll need to create a free account. This also allows us to help you track enrollment deadlines and plan changes.

Yes! MedicareMagic is 100% free for Medicare beneficiaries. We're compensated by Medicare plan providers when you enroll in a plan, but this doesn't affect our recommendations or your costs. You never pay us anything.

We focus on simplicity and education. Instead of overwhelming you with dozens of plan options, we explain Medicare in plain language, help you understand what matters most for your situation, and show you the best 3-5 plans with clear explanations of why they might be right for you.

No. Medicare plan prices are set by Medicare and insurance companies, not by us. Whether you enroll through MedicareMagic, directly with an insurance company, or through Medicare.gov, you'll pay the same price. We just help you find and understand your options.

We use your medications, preferred doctors, and typical healthcare usage to estimate your total annual costs including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Our estimates are based on each plan's official documents and Medicare data, but your actual costs may vary based on your specific healthcare needs.

There are several programs that can help reduce Medicare costs, including Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help for prescription drugs, and Medicaid. We can help you understand these options and connect you with resources to apply for financial assistance.

Most people can change plans during Annual Open Enrollment (October 15 - December 7). You may also qualify for Special Enrollment Periods if you move, lose other coverage, or have certain life changes. If you're new to Medicare, you have an Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday.

Missing enrollment deadlines can result in coverage gaps and late enrollment penalties. However, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period depending on your circumstances. Contact us immediately if you think you've missed a deadline - we can help you understand your options.

No. We can refer you to insurance companies, but we cannot enroll you directly. Once you've chosen a plan through our recommendations, we'll connect you with the insurance company or provide you with the necessary information to enroll directly with them or through Medicare.gov.

You'll need your Medicare card, Social Security number, current prescription medications, preferred doctors and hospitals, and information about any other health coverage you have. We'll walk you through exactly what's needed when you're ready to enroll.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) is the traditional government program that covers hospital and medical services. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private insurance companies and includes everything in Original Medicare, plus often includes prescription drugs and extra benefits like dental or vision.

Most people should have prescription drug coverage to avoid penalties and unexpected costs. If you have Original Medicare, you can add a standalone Part D plan. Medicare Advantage plans usually include drug coverage. Even if you don't take medications now, having coverage protects you from penalties if you need drugs later.

It depends on the plan's network. We check whether your providers accept each plan we recommend and clearly show you which plans include your preferred providers. If keeping your current providers is important to you, we'll prioritize plans that include them in the network.

Coverage for specialists varies by plan type. Original Medicare with a Medigap plan typically allows you to see any specialist who accepts Medicare without referrals. Medicare Advantage plans may require referrals from your primary care doctor and specialists must be in the plan's network.

We use bank-level 256-bit SSL encryption and follow HIPAA guidelines to protect your health information. Your data is never sold to third parties, and you control what information you share with us. We only use your information to provide personalized recommendations and help you enroll in plans.

Our recommendations are based on your specific needs, preferences, and the plan features that matter most to you. While we receive compensation from insurance companies when you enroll, this doesn't influence our recommendations. We show you the plans that best match your criteria, regardless of compensation.

No! We'll show you all your options, including keeping your current plan if it's still the best choice for you. Our goal is to help you understand your choices so you can make the best decision for your needs, whether that means switching or staying put.

Medicare generally doesn't cover healthcare outside the United States, except in limited emergency situations. If you're planning to live abroad, you'll need to consider how this affects your Medicare coverage and may want to explore international health insurance options.

We're here to help even after you enroll! You can contact us with questions about your coverage, help understanding your benefits, or assistance with plan changes during future enrollment periods. We also provide ongoing support to make sure your plan continues to meet your needs.

Yes! While our online tools are designed to be simple and self-service, you can request a phone consultation if you need additional help. We also provide the official Medicare helpline number (1-800-MEDICARE) for questions about Medicare in general.

You can typically change or cancel your Medicare plan during the Annual Open Enrollment period (October 15 - December 7) or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. We can help you understand your options and guide you through the process of making changes.