Medicare in Orange County, California 2026: How to Apply, Where to Enroll, Locality, Deadlines, and the Complete FAQ

Medicare enrollment in Orange County, California, is the same federal Medicare program as everywhere else in the United States, but the practical decisions an OC resident makes — which plan, which doctors, which hospitals, which pharmacy network, which deadline matters when — are deeply local. This FAQ pillar is structured for both human readers preparing to enroll and for Google’s featured-snippet and Generative AI answer surfaces that surface 40–60 word direct answers to high-intent questions. The full answers below cover how and where to apply, what the Orange County Medicare locality means for billing, every 2026 deadline and cost, Medicare Advantage versus Original Medicare with a supplement, the major OC Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, Medigap options, Part D pricing, dual-eligible Medicare/Medi-Cal coordination, and the OC-specific resources (HICAP, SSA offices, Council on Aging Southern California) that OC seniors and their families use to navigate the decision.

Quick-Answer FAQ

How do I apply for Medicare in Orange County, CA? Apply through the Social Security Administration online at ssa.gov/medicare, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at any of the seven Social Security offices in Orange County (Anaheim, Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, Orange, San Clemente, Santa Ana, Westminster). Apply during your Initial Enrollment Period — the 7-month window starting 3 months before your 65th birthday month. If you already collect Social Security retirement at 65, you are automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B.

Where do I apply for Medicare in Orange County, CA? The fastest and most reliable application is online at ssa.gov/medicare. In-person applications are accepted at the seven Orange County SSA offices: 1100 W. Town and Country Rd. (Orange), 12565 Westminster Blvd. (Garden Grove), 27101 Puerta Real Ste 200 (Mission Viejo), 1701 W. Anaheim St. (Anaheim/Long Beach border), 31352 Camino Capistrano (San Clemente), 1851 E. First St. Ste 400 (Santa Ana), and 14150 Magnolia St. (Westminster). Call ahead — most OC offices require an appointment for new Medicare applications.

What is the Medicare locality for Orange County, CA? Orange County is in CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule locality 18 (Anaheim/Santa Ana/Irvine MSA), which determines Part B fee-for-service reimbursement rates for physician and outpatient services billed under Original Medicare. The Anaheim/Santa Ana locality has Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) and Geographic Adjustment Factors that reflect Orange County’s cost of living and practice expense — generally higher than rural California localities and roughly comparable to other Southern California metropolitan localities. Medicare Advantage plan benchmarks are set separately by county under CMS county-rate methodology.

How to Apply for Medicare in Orange County

Medicare application is handled by the Social Security Administration (SSA), not by CMS or Covered California. There are three ways to apply for Medicare in Orange County: online at ssa.gov/medicare (fastest, available 24/7, typically processes in 7–14 days), by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at any of the seven SSA offices in Orange County. The online application takes approximately 10–30 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, and (if applying for Part B coverage during a Special Enrollment Period after delaying Part B due to employer coverage) form CMS-L564 from the employer documenting your group health coverage end date.

Sources: Apply for Medicare Online, Medicare.gov Eligibility & Enrollment

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the 7-month window starting 3 months before your 65th birthday month and ending 3 months after. Applying during the 3 months before your birthday month results in Part A and Part B coverage effective the first day of your birthday month. Applying during your birthday month or the 3 months after results in delayed coverage — the longer the delay, the longer the coverage gap. If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits at age 65, you are automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B effective the first day of your birthday month, and your Medicare card arrives in the mail approximately 3 months before your birthday. Decline Part B in writing during IEP only if you have credible employer coverage (active employment with 20+ employees, not retiree coverage) and intend to enroll in Part B later under the Special Enrollment Period.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP) applies when you delayed Part B initial enrollment due to credible group health coverage tied to active employment (your own or a spouse’s). SEP extends 8 months from the date the employment ends or the group health coverage ends, whichever comes first. To enroll under SEP, submit form CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B) along with form CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information) signed by the employer documenting your group health coverage. SEP enrollment avoids the Part B late-enrollment penalty (10% of the standard Part B premium per 12-month period of delay, added permanently). General Enrollment Period (GEP) — January 1 through March 31 each year — is the catch-up window for anyone who missed IEP and is not eligible for SEP; GEP-enrolled coverage is effective the first day of the month following the month of enrollment.

Sources: Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period

Where to Apply (SSA Offices in Orange County)

Orange County has seven Social Security Administration field offices. Each office accepts in-person Medicare applications by appointment. Anaheim Office: 1701 W. Anaheim St., Anaheim, CA 92801 (serves Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Brea, Placentia, Yorba Linda). Garden Grove Office: 12565 Westminster Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92843 (serves Garden Grove, Westminster, Stanton, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach). Mission Viejo Office: 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 200, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (serves Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza). Orange Office: 1100 W. Town and Country Rd., Orange, CA 92868 (serves Orange, Tustin, North Tustin, Villa Park). San Clemente Office: 31352 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, CA 92672 (serves San Clemente). Santa Ana Office: 1851 E. First St., Suite 400, Santa Ana, CA 92705 (serves Santa Ana). Westminster Office: 14150 Magnolia St., Westminster, CA 92683 (serves Westminster, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley).

Online application at ssa.gov/medicare is generally faster and more reliable than in-person application. The SSA in-person workflow requires an appointment for most Medicare new-enrollment matters — appointments are scheduled by calling 1-800-772-1213 or the local office. Walk-ins are accepted but result in extended wait times. Documents commonly required at an in-person Medicare appointment include proof of identity (driver’s license or state ID), Social Security card or W-2 showing the SSN, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or green card), and — for those enrolling in Part B under SEP after delaying due to employer coverage — form CMS-L564 signed by the employer.

OC residents who prefer phone application can call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific. TTY 1-800-325-0778. Wait times vary by season — IEP applicants approaching their 65th birthday month and AEP-adjacent callers experience the longest waits. Online application avoids the wait entirely and is the recommended path for most applicants.

What Is the Medicare Locality for Orange County?

Orange County is in CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule locality 18, formally designated ‘Anaheim/Santa Ana/Irvine, CA MSA.’ Locality designation determines the Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) and Geographic Adjustment Factors that scale physician and outpatient Part B reimbursement to reflect local practice costs. The Anaheim/Santa Ana/Irvine locality has GPCIs higher than rural California localities (locality 99 California Rest of State) and roughly comparable to other Southern California metropolitan localities like Los Angeles locality 18 (Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim MSA covers different counties under the Bureau of Labor Statistics MSA but CMS locality boundaries are separately defined).

Sources: CMS Physician Fee Schedule Localities

For Original Medicare (Parts A and B fee-for-service) beneficiaries, the locality determines what the provider is paid for a given service when the beneficiary is in Orange County. Most beneficiaries do not need to know their locality directly — providers handle billing and the beneficiary pays the 20% Part B coinsurance after the $257 (2026) Part B deductible, or zero coinsurance if a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy fills the gap. For Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, county-level CMS benchmark rates determine how much the federal government pays the MA plan per enrollee; Orange County benchmarks are set at the Orange County (FIPS 06059) level and revised annually.

The locality boundary matters most when a beneficiary travels or splits residence. An Orange County resident who travels outside the Anaheim/Santa Ana/Irvine locality and receives Original Medicare care in another locality is billed at that locality’s fee schedule. A snowbird who splits time between Orange County and Arizona (locality 00 or 01 depending on geography) sees provider reimbursement reflect the locality of care. Medicare Advantage networks are typically county-level — an OC-domiciled MA plan may have limited or no out-of-area network outside Orange County, and beneficiaries who travel frequently may prefer Original Medicare + Medigap (which has no network restrictions for any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide) over a county-based MA plan.

Enrollment Deadlines and Election Periods

Medicare uses defined election periods for initial enrollment and subsequent plan changes. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): the 7-month window starting 3 months before your 65th birthday month, including your birthday month, and the 3 months after. This is when most people enroll in Parts A and B (and often Part C or Part D). Special Enrollment Period (Part B SEP): the 8-month window starting the month after credible employer group health coverage ends. General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 through March 31 annually, for those who missed IEP and are not eligible for SEP — coverage effective the first day of the month after enrollment.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 through December 7 annually, for Medicare Advantage and Part D plan changes effective January 1 of the following year. This is the principal window for plan-shopping each fall. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP): January 1 through March 31 annually, for Medicare Advantage enrollees to make one change (switch MA plans or disenroll from MA back to Original Medicare and add a Part D plan) — this is a make-good window after AEP. 5-Star Special Enrollment Period: any time during the year, for beneficiaries to switch into a CMS 5-star-rated Medicare Advantage or Part D plan in their area (subject to one use per year).

Special Enrollment Periods for Medicare Advantage and Part D apply in defined circumstances: moving outside the plan’s service area, qualifying for Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS / Extra Help), losing credible employer drug coverage, plan termination or non-renewal, returning to the U.S. from abroad, release from incarceration, qualifying for a Special Needs Plan (SNP) by gaining the qualifying condition. Documentation is required for most SEPs and the broker or SHIP counselor can confirm eligibility before submitting the SEP enrollment.

Sources: Medicare Election Periods

2026 Medicare Costs (Part A, B, C, D, IRMAA)

Part A (Hospital Insurance) is premium-free for most beneficiaries who have 40+ quarters of Medicare-covered employment (or whose spouse does). Those with fewer than 40 quarters pay $311/month (with 30–39 quarters) or $565/month (with fewer than 30 quarters) in 2026. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible for 2026 is $1,676 per benefit period; coinsurance is $0/day for days 1–60, $419/day for days 61–90, $838/day for lifetime reserve days 91–150, and 100% beneficiary responsibility beyond 150 days. Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance is $0/day for days 1–20 and $209.50/day for days 21–100.

Sources: Medicare 2026 Costs

Part B (Medical Insurance) standard premium in 2026 is $185.00/month with a $257 annual deductible. The premium is income-adjusted for higher-income beneficiaries via the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), based on the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) reported on the federal tax return from 2 years prior. 2026 IRMAA brackets (single / married joint): $106K–$133K / $212K–$266K: total Part B $259.00/month; $133K–$167K / $266K–$334K: $370.00/month; $167K–$200K / $334K–$400K: $480.90/month; $200K–$500K / $400K–$750K: $591.90/month; above $500K / $750K: $628.90/month. IRMAA also applies to Part D premium as an additional surcharge on top of the plan’s base premium.

Part D (Prescription Drug) 2026 National Base Beneficiary Premium is $36.78/month; actual plan premiums vary from approximately $0 to $100+/month depending on the plan’s formulary, deductible, and cost-sharing structure. The 2026 Part D defined standard benefit includes a $590 deductible (maximum allowed), 25% beneficiary cost-share in the initial coverage phase up to $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum (new in 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act and continued in 2026), and $0 cost-share in catastrophic coverage above $2,000. The $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap is the most significant Part D change of the decade — beneficiaries with high-cost drug regimens see meaningfully lower annual drug spending starting 2025. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Parts A, B, and typically Part D and additional benefits (dental, vision, hearing, fitness, transportation, OTC allowance); MA plan premiums in Orange County for 2026 range from $0/month (most plans) to $200+/month for high-benefit plans.

Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare + Supplement in OC

Orange County Medicare beneficiaries face the standard choice between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Original Medicare (Parts A + B) with optional Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D. Medicare Advantage typically offers lower upfront premiums ($0 for most OC MA plans), bundled prescription drug coverage, and added benefits (dental, vision, hearing, fitness like SilverSneakers, transportation, OTC allowance, sometimes meal delivery post-hospital discharge). Trade-offs: network restrictions (HMO or PPO), prior authorization requirements for many services, cost-sharing structure (copays and coinsurance up to the annual out-of-pocket maximum, typically $4K–$8K in network), and plan-design changes annually.

Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement (Medigap) + standalone Part D provides nationwide network (any provider that accepts Medicare), no prior authorization, predictable cost-sharing (Medigap Plan G covers everything except the $257 Part B deductible; Medigap Plan N covers everything except the deductible, a small copay, and excess charges). Trade-offs: higher monthly premium (Medigap Plan G in Orange County for a 65-year-old typically runs $145–$250/month, plus Part D standalone at $20–$80/month, plus the standard Part B premium of $185.00/month), no bundled extras like dental/vision/hearing/fitness, and Medigap underwriting outside of one’s Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the 6-month window starting Part B effective date).

California has a unique Medigap consumer protection called the California Birthday Rule (Insurance Code § 10192.11(d)). Each year during the 60-day window starting on the beneficiary’s birthday, the beneficiary can switch from one Medigap plan to another of equal or lesser benefit without medical underwriting, regardless of health status. Orange County beneficiaries should review their Medigap placement each year during the birthday rule window — premium variation across Medigap carriers offering the same plan type can be substantial (often 30%–60%) and the Birthday Rule lets the beneficiary capture lower pricing without underwriting risk. A competent OC broker prompts every Medigap client to remarket during the Birthday Rule window each year.

Orange County Medicare Advantage Plans for 2026

Orange County has more than 30 Medicare Advantage plans for 2026 across HMO, PPO, and Special Needs Plan (SNP) varieties. The major MA carriers in OC include SCAN Health Plan (Long Beach-headquartered, OC-focused, strong reputation among OC seniors, OC provider relationships especially with MemorialCare, Hoag, and Providence St. Joseph), Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (integrated Kaiser system, Anaheim and Irvine campuses, strong star ratings, closed-network), Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (broad OC network including Hoag, MemorialCare, Providence, Kaiser-affiliated networks), Aetna Medicare (CVS Health subsidiary, broad OC network, Silver&Fit fitness), Humana (broad OC network including UCI Health, integrated pharmacy), UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare Advantage (broad OC network, AARP-branded). Specialized carriers include Brand New Day (subsidiary of Bright Health, specializes in low-income and SNP populations), Alignment Healthcare (technology-driven MA carrier with OC presence), and Blue Shield of California (Promise Health Plan in some OC service areas).

Hospital and physician networks vary materially across the OC MA plans. The major OC hospital systems are Hoag (Newport Beach, Irvine), MemorialCare (Long Beach, Saddleback, Orange Coast Memorial — Fountain Valley), Providence St. Joseph (Orange, Mission), UCI Health (Orange), Kaiser Permanente (Anaheim, Irvine), CHOC Children’s (Orange — pediatric, generally not relevant for Medicare-age but referenced for context), AHMC (Anaheim Regional Medical Center, Anaheim Global, Garden Grove), Prime Healthcare (West Anaheim Medical Center, La Palma Intercommunity, Huntington Beach), and Tenet (Fountain Valley Regional). Beneficiaries selecting an MA plan should confirm that their preferred primary care physician, any specialist they currently see, and their preferred hospital(s) are in the plan’s network for the 2026 plan year.

Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) serve specific populations: D-SNP (Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan) for beneficiaries with both Medicare and full Medi-Cal, C-SNP (Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan) for beneficiaries with qualifying chronic conditions like diabetes or chronic heart failure, and I-SNP (Institutional Special Needs Plan) for nursing-facility residents. OC has multiple D-SNP options from SCAN, Anthem, Brand New Day, Molina, and L.A. Care (in adjacent areas of OC). D-SNP enrollment is coordinated with Medi-Cal aid code; CalAIM (the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal initiative) is reshaping dual-eligible benefits structure through 2026 with statewide implementation of Medi-Cal Managed Care.

Sources: Medicare Plan Finder, SCAN Health Plan

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) in Orange County

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) is standardized federal coverage administered by private carriers. California Medigap plans available in 2026 include Plan A, Plan B, Plan D, Plan G (the most popular for new-to-Medicare beneficiaries — covers everything except the $257 Part B deductible), Plan G High-Deductible (lower premium, higher out-of-pocket exposure), Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, and Plan N (covers everything except deductible, small copays at doctor and ER visits, and Part B excess charges). Plans C and F are no longer available for new Medicare beneficiaries (those who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020); existing Plan C and F enrollees can keep their plans.

Orange County Medigap pricing for a 65-year-old female in 2026 typically runs $145–$250/month for Plan G across major carriers (Mutual of Omaha, Cigna, Aetna, Anthem, Blue Shield of California, UnitedHealthcare, AARP-branded UHC, Humana, and others); Plan N runs $110–$180/month; Plan G High-Deductible runs $50–$90/month. Pricing varies with carrier, county, age (issue-age vs. attained-age vs. community-rated pricing models), tobacco status, household discount eligibility, and electronic-funds-transfer payment discount. The 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP) starts on the Part B effective date and is the only guaranteed-issue window for most Medigap plans — outside OEP, carriers can require medical underwriting and decline coverage for pre-existing conditions.

California’s Birthday Rule (Insurance Code § 10192.11(d)) is a unique consumer protection — each year during the 60-day window starting on the beneficiary’s birthday, the beneficiary can switch Medigap carriers (same plan letter or lower benefit level) without medical underwriting. OC brokers should prompt every Medigap client to remarket during the Birthday Rule window — substantial savings are often available (30%–60% premium variation across carriers offering the same Plan G), and the Birthday Rule eliminates the underwriting risk that would otherwise apply.

Part D Prescription Drug Plans in Orange County

Orange County beneficiaries on Original Medicare + Medigap need a standalone Part D prescription drug plan; Medicare Advantage enrollees typically have Part D bundled into the MA plan (MA-PD). Standalone Part D plans available in California for 2026 include Wellcare, Humana, SilverScript (CVS/Aetna), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha Rx, AARP-branded plans, Blue Shield of California Part D, and others. Premiums in 2026 range from approximately $0/month (a few zero-premium plans for LIS-eligible beneficiaries) to $100+/month for plans with broader formularies and lower deductibles.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) restructured Part D effective 2025 and continuing in 2026: the standard benefit eliminates the coverage gap (‘donut hole’), caps annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,000 (indexed annually), and permits the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) which lets beneficiaries spread out-of-pocket costs across monthly installments rather than paying at the pharmacy counter. The $2,000 out-of-pocket cap is the most significant Part D benefit change of the decade — beneficiaries with high-cost specialty drugs (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, hepatitis C, HIV) see materially lower annual drug spending starting 2025.

Selecting the right Part D plan requires running the beneficiary’s specific medication list through the Medicare Plan Finder on medicare.gov, which calculates estimated annual drug spending (premium + deductible + copays + projected out-of-pocket) across every available Part D plan in the beneficiary’s ZIP. The lowest-premium plan is rarely the lowest-total-cost plan once medications are factored in. AEP (October 15–December 7) is the principal window for Part D plan changes; the Plan Finder is updated by CMS in early October each year with the following year’s plan data.

Sources: Medicare Plan Finder (Part D)

Dual-Eligible Medicare and Medi-Cal in Orange County

Orange County dual-eligible beneficiaries — those with both Medicare and Medi-Cal — receive coordinated benefits across both programs. Medicare is the primary payer for Medicare-covered services (Part A hospital, Part B physician/outpatient, Part D prescription); Medi-Cal is the secondary payer and additionally covers benefits Medicare does not (long-term custodial care, in-home supportive services, dental for adults, vision for adults, transportation, certain home and community-based services). Dual eligibles qualify for the Low Income Subsidy / Extra Help on Part D drug costs, which eliminates Part D premium for most LIS-eligible plans, eliminates the deductible, and reduces copays to nominal amounts ($1.55–$11.20 in 2026 depending on category).

Medi-Cal eligibility in Orange County is administered by the Orange County Social Services Agency (1928 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana, or one of the satellite offices). 2026 Medi-Cal asset and income thresholds for non-MAGI categories (the categories most Medicare beneficiaries fall into) changed materially under SB 1473 and follow-on regulations: as of January 2024 the asset limit for Medicare beneficiaries seeking Medi-Cal eligibility under non-MAGI rules was eliminated, and the resource test no longer applies to most non-MAGI categories. Income limits still apply and vary by category — Aged & Disabled (A&D) FPL Medi-Cal covers seniors and disabled individuals with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level; the Working Disabled Program (WDP) and other specialty categories have separate thresholds. CalAIM is reshaping dual-eligible enrollment structure through 2026 with statewide implementation of Medi-Cal Managed Care.

Sources: Orange County Social Services Agency, Medi-Cal Eligibility

Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) coordinate Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits in a single Medicare Advantage plan. OC D-SNP carriers for 2026 include SCAN Health Plan, Anthem Blue Cross, Brand New Day, Molina Healthcare, and others. D-SNP enrollment requires confirmation of dual-eligible status (Medi-Cal aid code) and is typically coordinated by the carrier with the County eligibility worker. D-SNPs generally offer broader benefits than non-dual MA plans — $0 premium, $0 cost-share on most services, transportation, OTC allowance, dental, vision, hearing — funded through the combined Medicare and Medi-Cal capitation.

Orange County Medicare Resources

HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) is California’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), providing free unbiased Medicare counseling to beneficiaries and their families. Orange County HICAP services are administered by the Council on Aging Southern California, with locations across the county and home visits available for homebound seniors. HICAP counselors are trained on Medicare rules, MA and Part D plan options, Medigap, Medi-Cal coordination, and Medicare appeals — and are required to be unbiased (HICAP counselors do not sell insurance and do not earn commissions on plan enrollments). Contact OC HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.

Sources: Council on Aging Southern California (HICAP), California HICAP State Site

Other OC Medicare resources include: Orange County Office on Aging (older-adult information and assistance, 800-510-2020); Council on Aging Southern California programs across senior issues including Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Caregiver Resource Center, and Medicare fraud reporting through the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP); Orange County Social Services Agency for Medi-Cal eligibility; SSA local offices for Medicare enrollment and Social Security retirement coordination; and the federal Medicare.gov website for plan comparison via Medicare Plan Finder and policy guidance via the ‘Medicare & You’ annual handbook.

Insurance brokers licensed in California, holding the Medicare AHIP certification, and appointed to multiple MA, MA-PD, Medigap, and Part D carriers offer personalized plan-recommendation and enrollment assistance to OC Medicare beneficiaries — without charging the beneficiary directly (broker compensation is paid by the carrier of the plan ultimately enrolled, and CMS regulates broker compensation tightly to remove incentives that would distort recommendations). When selecting a Medicare broker, ask: how many MA carriers do you represent in OC (good answer: 6+), how many Medigap carriers (good answer: 8+), how many Part D plans do you run through Plan Finder for me (good answer: every plan available in my ZIP), do you complete the annual AHIP certification (good answer: yes), and will you remarket my Medigap during the California Birthday Rule window each year (good answer: yes).

Full FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions