Resources
Medicare Checklist
When a Medicare choice goes wrong, it usually traces back to one small thing nobody caught, like a drug left off the list or a specialist no one looked up.
Work through this page before you compare plans. A licensed agent will want the same details, whether you live in Fondren, Pearl or Madison.
- Papers to pull together first
- Deadlines worth marking
- Questions for any agent you talk to
Step 1
Gather your documents
- Your red, white and blue Medicare card, or Social Security's letter confirming you're enrolled
- The card and plan name for any coverage you have now
- This fall's Annual Notice of Change from your plan, if one came
- A letter from your employer, TRICARE or the VA showing creditable coverage
- An estimate of your household income, in case Extra Help is an option
Step 2
Write down the care you use
-
Doctors and hospital
Your family doctor, every specialist, and the hospital you'd pick, say UMMC, Baptist, St. Dominic or Merit Health. -
Prescriptions
The name, dose and schedule for every drug, and the pharmacy you use. Snapping a photo of each bottle label works fine. -
Care coming up
A planned surgery, therapy you're in the middle of, or routine lab work can tip the choice toward one plan.
Step 3
Know your dates
- Your 65th birthday and the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period that surrounds it
- Your Part B start date, which opens your 6-month Medigap window
- The last day of that Medigap window, since Mississippi has no birthday or anniversary rule for switching later
- October 15 to December 7, the Annual Open Enrollment Period
- January 1 to March 31, if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan
- Your final day at work, if job coverage is the reason you're delaying Part B
Not sure which window applies?
New to Medicare? Read Turning 65. Already enrolled? See Switch Your Plan.
Step 4
Questions to ask any agent
An independent agent should answer each of these without stalling. Which carriers are you appointed with? Is every one of my doctors in this plan's network for next year? How much will this plan charge me for each drug I take? What will a full year cost me, premium plus everything else? If I want out later, what are my options?
Want a second opinion? Call Mississippi SHIP at 844-822-4622. Mississippi runs it as a free, unbiased Medicare counseling service. You can also read about how we work or start with the FAQs.
Next step
Have a licensed agent compare plans with your list
Once your list is ready, a licensed insurance agent can look up your doctors and price your prescriptions in the Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans we represent. Leave your number for a weekday callback, or call 601-000-0000.
Thanks, we have your request.
A licensed agent will call you during business hours, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:30pm CT. If you'd rather not wait, call 601-000-0000 now.
Checklist done?
Phone us with your list. Using your own doctors and prescriptions, we'll price each plan we represent for your Jackson-area ZIP code.