The mailbox starts filling up with flyers 6 months before your birthday. Everyone wants to sell you a plan. But making the wrong choice—or waiting too long—can result in lifetime penalties.
Key takeaways:
- Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window—don’t miss it.
- Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage work very differently (costs and networks).
- In Miami, plan selection should start with your doctors and prescriptions.
1. What is the “3-3-3” Medicare timeline?
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window:
- 3 months before your birth month.
- The month of your birthday.
- 3 months after your birth month.
We recommend starting the process 3 months before. If you miss this window, you may face late enrollment penalties that get added to your premiums forever.
2. Should you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
This is the biggest choice you will face in Florida.
- Original Medicare (Part A & B): Government-run. Good coverage, but no cap on out-of-pocket costs and no drug coverage (Part D). You usually need a "Supplement" (Medigap) policy to fill the holes.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C): Private plans (like Humana, UHC, Aetna). These replace Original Medicare. They often include dental, vision, and drugs, and have lower premiums, but they use HMO/PPO Networks.
3. Why is Miami considered “Advantage Central”?
Miami-Dade county has some of the most competitive Medicare Advantage plans in the country due to our dense senior population. Many offer $0 monthly premiums and give back money on your Part B check.
WYN Tip:
Don't just pick the plan with the best gym membership. Check if your specific doctors are in-network and if your specific prescriptions are on the formulary. We can check this for you in 5 minutes.