Getting ready for Medicare?

When you first become eligible for Medicare, you have an Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) that allows you to enroll in the Medicare coverage of your choice. This seven-month enrollment period starts three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after your birth month.

With the assistance of eHealth, an independent licensed insurance agency, Dignity Health is here to help guide you through some of the important Medicare decisions you may soon be making. We invite you to consider Medicare Advantage plans. 

These plans may offer affordable and comprehensive coverage, and may also offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover. 

Note that failing to sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period may mean late enrollment penalties. To learn more about Medicare’s late enrollment penalties visit Medicare.gov.

Compare your plan options

We are working with independent licensed insurance agents at eHealth to help you compare your Medicare coverage options and find the best plan for you. 

This is a free service to you and there is no obligation to enroll or change your plan.

Call eHealth’s Dignity Health Helpline to speak to a licensed insurance agent.

(844) 893-3537 (TTY 711)
Monday – Friday 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT
Saturday – Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT

You may also reach out to your existing insurance agent to review your options.

Need help getting started with Medicare?

To enroll in Medicare for the very first time, you may need to contact Social Security directly to learn about your Part A and Part B (Original Medicare) benefits. You’ll get information about what the different Parts cover, what you’re eligible for, when it will go into effect, and other important details. It’s recommended you do this before your 65th birthday to avoid lapse in coverage and avoid any late enrollment penalties.

Upon contacting Social Security, you should receive a packet in the mail from Medicare before you turn 65.

You can enroll in Medicare online, in person at your local Social Security office, or by calling (800) 772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Things to remember about the Initial Enrollment Period:

• If you are planning to retire, you have a 7-month window surrounding your 65th birthday to enroll to avoid penalties.
• You need both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) to enroll into a Medicare Advantage Plan

Once you enroll, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the regulatory body who manages Medicare, will send you a packet in the mail with your Medicare card and a handbook with important information about Medicare coverage choices.

If you’ve passed your Initial Enrollment Period, which is a 7 month time frame that includes the 3 months before your 65th birthday, your birthday month and 3 months after your birthday, you may need to wait for a qualifying event to be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, or wait for the Annual Election Period to do so.

Ready to take the next step? Speak with a licensed insurance agent from eHealth for more information.

The eHealth website is not from the government. It's from eHealth, an insurance agency selling plans from many insurance companies.