Helpful Medicare information, all in one place.
Straightforward answers, practical planning information and trusted resources to help you feel more prepared.
Useful information without making you read the same thing twice.
This page is for the practical stuff: what to gather, when to start paying attention and where to find trusted Medicare information. For the Medicare basics and coverage choices, start on our Medicare page.
Before a Medicare conversation
It helps to have a simple list of:
- Your current health coverage
- Doctors and specialists you want to keep
- Prescription medications you take
- Your preferred pharmacy
- Any regular travel or time spent outside the area
- Questions about premiums and out-of-pocket costs
Good times to reach out
- You are approaching age 65
- You are retiring or losing employer coverage
- You recently moved
- Your prescriptions, doctors or health needs changed
- You received an Annual Notice of Change from your current plan
- You simply are not sure your current coverage still fits
When should I start thinking about Medicare?
For many people, the best time to start learning is a few months before turning 65. If you are still working and covered by an employer plan, your timing may be different. The important thing is to understand your situation before an enrollment deadline is close.
What if I am still working at 65?
You may be able to delay some Medicare coverage without a penalty depending on your employer coverage and other factors. This is one of the situations where it is smart to ask questions before making a change.
Why review Medicare coverage each year?
Plan premiums, provider networks, covered drugs and benefits can change from year to year. Your own doctors, prescriptions and priorities can change too. A review gives you a chance to see whether your current coverage still makes sense.
Can Downtown Insurance Solutions help with prescription coverage?
Prescription coverage is an important part of Medicare planning. We can review the drug-plan options available through Downtown Insurance Solutions and help you understand how your prescriptions and preferred pharmacy fit into the comparison.
What does it cost to work with Downtown Insurance Solutions?
Downtown Insurance Solutions is a free service for customers. There is no consultation or enrollment fee for Medicare guidance or enrollment assistance. If you enroll in a plan available through Downtown Insurance Solutions, an insurance company may compensate Downtown Insurance Solutions.
Trusted Medicare resources
For official Medicare information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Downtown Insurance Solutions can help you turn that information into a conversation about your own coverage needs.
Start with a conversation.
Call or send a message. You do not have to figure out Medicare on your own.