Medicare Plans

Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. You have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) — starting 3 months before your 65th birthday month, including your birthday month, and ending 3 months after. If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you're automatically enrolled in Parts A and B and your card arrives about 3 months before your birthday. If you're not yet on Social Security, you must sign up actively through ssa.gov or your local Social Security office. Missing your IEP without qualifying coverage results in late enrollment penalties. Brad can walk you through exactly when and how to enroll.

Medicare has four main parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) — inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health care; most people pay $0 premium if they worked 40+ quarters. Part B (Medical Insurance) — doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment; standard 2026 premium is $202.90/month. Part C (Medicare Advantage) — private plans that bundle A, B, and usually D with extra benefits like dental and vision. Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) — standalone drug plans or bundled into Advantage plans. Brad helps you understand all four and how they work together.

There's no universal answer — it depends on your health, finances, and preferences. Medicare Advantage (Part C) typically has lower or $0 monthly premiums beyond Part B, includes extras like dental/vision/hearing, and caps your out-of-pocket at $9,250 in 2026 — but uses a provider network and may require referrals. Original Medicare + Supplement (Medigap) means higher monthly premiums but access to virtually any Medicare-accepting doctor in the country, no referrals needed, and very predictable out-of-pocket costs. Brad specializes in comparing both options side by side for Wisconsin residents at no cost to you.

Yes — completely free to you. Brad is licensed and contracted with multiple insurance carriers and is compensated by the insurer when you enroll in a plan he recommends. There is no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. You pay exactly the same premium whether you enroll through Brad or go directly to the carrier — but working with Brad means you get an independent comparison across all available plans, not just one company's options. Brad also provides ongoing service after enrollment: annual reviews, claims questions, and any coverage issues that arise.

Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, is private insurance that helps pay the costs Original Medicare doesn't cover — including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Wisconsin operates under its own standardized Medigap system instead of the federal lettered plan system (Plans A through N) used by other states. Wisconsin's Basic Plan includes core benefits, and additional riders can be added for things like Part A deductible coverage and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Brad shops 21+ Wisconsin-licensed Medigap carriers to find you the lowest premium for the same standardized coverage.

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window, you can: switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan; switch between Medicare Advantage plans; switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare; enroll in, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year. There is also an Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from January 1–March 31 where you can make one Advantage plan switch. Brad reviews your coverage every AEP to make sure your plan still fits your needs.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care — no cleanings, eyeglasses, or hearing aids. However, many Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits at little or no additional cost. As of 2026, nearly all Medicare Advantage plans offer dental and vision coverage, and 93% include fitness memberships. If you prefer Original Medicare with a Supplement, you can purchase standalone dental and vision plans. Brad helps you factor dental, vision, and hearing needs into your plan comparison.

Wisconsin residents have access to several free Medicare counseling resources: ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) provides free one-on-one counseling through the Wisconsin SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). SHIP counselors are unbiased volunteers who can explain Medicare options and review coverage — call 1-800-242-1060. The Medicare Rights Center (1-800-333-4114) offers national helpline support. And of course, Brad Loose at Bradley Insurance Group LLC provides free, personalized comparisons across all available plans serving Wisconsin residents — call (920) 251-4969.

Yes. You can be enrolled in Medicare while continuing to work. However, there are important considerations: If you're on an employer group plan, Medicare is usually secondary (the employer plan pays first), meaning you may not need to enroll in Part B right away — potentially avoiding the $202.90/month premium until you retire. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), enrolling in any part of Medicare — including Part A — makes you ineligible to continue contributing. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare becomes primary and you should enroll in Part B immediately. Brad navigates these situations daily and can map out the right timing for your specific circumstances.

There are separate penalties for delaying Part B and Part D: Part B penalty — if you don't enroll when first eligible without qualifying coverage, your premium increases by 10% for every 12 months you were without Part B, permanently. Part D penalty — your monthly premium increases by 1% of the national base premium ($38.99 in 2026) for each uncovered month, permanently. Both penalties are avoided if you have creditable coverage through an employer. The key is knowing exactly when your employer coverage qualifies as creditable — Brad reviews this for free before you make any enrollment decisions.