Medicare Advantage in Hickory, NC

Medicare Advantage for Hickory residents

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare and cover what Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover. Many include Part D drug coverage, and most use provider networks.

Hickory is in Catawba County, so you choose from the plans offered there, which can differ from the plans in Iredell or Mecklenburg County. Some addresses near the city's edges fall in neighboring counties, so Matt always checks your exact address.

Working past 65 or retiring soon?

If you or your spouse still have health coverage through a current employer, you may be able to wait on some Medicare decisions. When that coverage ends, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Matt can walk through the timing with you so you avoid gaps in coverage.

When you can enroll or make changes

Here are the main enrollment windows for Medicare Advantage:

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): a seven-month window that includes the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month and the three months after.
• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 to December 7 each year, with changes taking effect January 1.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): January 1 to March 31, if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can make one change during this period.
• Special Enrollment Periods: certain life events, such as moving or losing other coverage, may let you make changes at other times.

What to compare

• Whether your doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network
• How your prescriptions are covered and what they would cost at your pharmacy
• Premiums, copays and the plan's yearly out-of-pocket maximum
• Whether you need referrals or prior authorization for care
• Extra benefits that matter to you, such as dental, vision or hearing (benefits vary by plan)

How Matt helps

Matt is an independent broker, not the insurance company. He gathers your doctors, prescriptions and priorities, compares the plans he represents that are offered in Catawba County, and explains the trade-offs so you can decide. He also helps with enrollment and stays your point of contact after you enroll.

The MacMillan Agency is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Matt does not offer every plan available in your area. You can contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for information on all of your options. In North Carolina, the SHIP is the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at the NC Department of Insurance, 855-408-1212.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 1,210 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. The MacMillan Agency is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, benefits and costs vary by county and plan.