Medicare agents in Contra Costa County, California

You’re eligible for Medicare if you are 65 or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and if Medicare taxes were taken out of your or your spouse’s paycheck for at least 10 years. If you’re under 65, you may still qualify for Medicare if you have a disability or permanent kidney failure or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Learn more about Medicare here:

• Medicare & You

Click on the Helpful Links on our website, Download Medicare & You to access Medicare & You 2016 publication.

Here are key enrollment dates: October 15 – December 7 (Annual Election Period). If you're eligible, you can enroll in Medicare health benefits, such as a Medicare Advantage plan, for the following year. During this period, you can also change plans or enroll in a separate prescription drug plan.

You may enroll anytime during the first three months immediately preceding the month your enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B becomes effective. This time is called your Initial Coverage Election Period. It generally coincides with the month you turn 65 years old; however, some people choose to delay Part B coverage if they have other coverage through their employer.

A late enrollment penalty (LEP) is a monthly premium penalty calculated and assessed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

If you do not enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) by the end of your Initial Enrollment Period and do not have creditable coverage for 63 days or longer, you may have to pay an LEP.