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    Caring for a loved one? Find Medicare help here.

    If you’re caring for a friend or family member, you want to ensure they’re getting the best care possible, including helping them get the most out of their Medicare plan. This page will take you through the basics of Medicare, so you can help your loved one understand and enroll in the right plan for their needs.

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    Two blue balloons that say "65"

    Eligibility and Enrollment

    Once your loved one turns 65, they’re eligible for Medicare. That’s it. There’s no income threshold or other eligibility conditions for them to receive their benefits. They could also be eligible if they have a qualifying permanent disability or end-stage renal disease. There are things you’ll want to know to help them get started and get the most out of their plan.

    Find Out More

    Types of Medicare Plans

    Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D are the four different types of Medicare plans. Take a quick moment to review these plans; it’ll help in the long run when discussing plan options with the person you’re caring for.

    Learn About Plan Types
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    Calendar with a a date circle in blue

    Medicare Enrollment Dates

    Are you looking to help your loved one enroll in or change their Medicare plan? You’ll want to know about the different enrollment periods and when they’re eligible to make changes to their Medicare plan. The most common enrollment periods include the Initial Enrollment Period, Annual Enrollment Period and Special Enrollment period, but you’ll find a complete list in the link below.

    See Enrollment Dates

    Commonly Asked Questions

    Have questions about Medicare? Everyone does! These are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive, along with their answers.

    Read Our Answers
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    Medicare Glossary

    Come across a word you’re not familiar with? Check out our glossary for easy-to-understand explanations of Medicare terminology.

    Visit Our Glossary

    Medicare Video Series

    Sit down with your loved one and watch a guided overview of the Medicare Basics at your own pace. Our helpful video series is the perfect way to help them get a complete understanding of Medicare.

    Watch our videos
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    Have more questions?

    Talk to an Expert

    Call one of our Medicare Experts at 1-888-995-2583 (TTY: 711) anytime between 8:00a.m. and 8:00p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

    Call 1-888-995-2583

    Attend a Medicare Seminar

    Join us for an in-person or online seminar to learn more about Medicare and our plan options.

    Register Now

    Sign Up for a Medicare Guidebook

    Sign up to request your Medicare guidebook at no cost.

    Request A Guidebook
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      ការជូនដំណឹង៖ ប្រសិនប. ើអ្នកនិយាយភាសា ខ្មែរ សេ  វាជំនួយភាសាឥតគិតថ្លៃ គឺអាចរកបានសម្  រាប ់អ្នក។ សូមទូរស័ព្ទទ ៅផ ្នែ កសេ  វាសមា  ជិកតាមល េខន  ៅល.  ើប ័ណ្ណ សម្  គាល ់ខ្លួ ខ្លួ នរប ស់អ្នក ហៅ 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711) ។

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      ATTENZIONE: se parlate italiano, sono disponibili per voi servizi gratuiti di assistenza linguistica. Chiamate il Servizio per i membri al numero riportato sulla vostra scheda identificativa chiamata 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

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      참고 : 한국어를 사용하는 경우 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 사용할 수 있습니다. 신분증에있는 전화 번호 1-800-472-2689 (TTY : 711)로 회원 서비스에 연락하십시오.

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      ध्यान दें: य दि  आप ह िन् दी बोलते ह ैं, तो भा षा  सहाय  ता  सेवा एँ, आप के लि ए नि :शुल्क  उपलब्ध ह ैं। सदस्य  सेवा ओं को आपके आई.डी. कार  ्ड पर दि ए गए नंबर पर कॉल करें  कॉल 1-800-472-2689 ( टी .टी .वा ई.: 711).

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      ધ્યાન આપો:  જો તમે ગુજરા તી બોલતા  હો, તો તમને ભા ષા કીય  સહાય  તા  સેવા ઓ વિ ના  મૂલ્યે  ઉપલબ્ધ છે. તમા રા  આઈડી કાર  ્ડ પર આપેલા  નંબર પર Member Service  ને કૉલ કરો કૉલ કરો 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

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      PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng wikang Tagalog, mayroon kang magagamit na mga libreng serbisyo para sa tulong sa wika. Tawagan ang Mga Serbisyo sa Miyembro sa numerong nasa iyong ID Card tumawag 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

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      お知らせ:日本語をお話しになる方は無料の言語アシスタンスサービスをご利用いただけます。ID カードに記載の電話番号を使用してメンバーサービスまでお電話ください 呼び出す 1-800-472-2689(TTY: 711)。

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      ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsche sprechen, steht Ihnen kostenlos fremdsprachliche Unterstützung zur Verfügung. Rufen Sie den Mitgliederdienst unter der Nummer auf Ihrer ID-Karte an Anrufen 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

      Lao/ພາສາລາວ

      ຂໍ້ຄວນໃສ່ໃຈ: ຖ້າເຈົ້າເວົ້າພາສາລາວໄດ້, ມີການບໍລິການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອດ້ານພາສາໃຫ້ທ່ານໂດຍບໍ່ເສຍຄ່າ. ໂທ ຫາ ຝ່າຍບໍລິການສະ ມາ ຊິກທີ່ໝາຍເລກໂທລະສັບຢູ່ໃນບັດຂອງທ່ານ ໂທ 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

      Navajo/Diné Bizaad

      BAA !KOHWIINDZIN DOO&G&: Din4 k’ehj7 y1n7[t’i’go saad bee y1t’i’ 47 t’11j77k’e bee n7k1’a’doowo[go 47 n1’ahoot’i’. D77 bee an7tah7g7 ninaaltsoos bine’d44’ n0omba bik1’7g7ij8’ b44sh bee hod77lnih call 1-800-472-2689 (TTY: 711).

      Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® , ® , TM, SM Registered, Service, and Trade Marks are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Inc.

      Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an HMO and PPO Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts depends on contract renewal. Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont are the legal entities that have contracted as a joint enterprise with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are the risk-bearing entities for Blue MedicareRx (PDP) plans. The joint enterprise is a Medicare-approved Part D Sponsor. Enrollment in Blue MedicareRx (PDP) depends on contract renewal. 

      You can file a complaint if you feel that you received inaccurate, misleading or inappropriate information. Please call Member Service at 1-800-200-4255 (TTY users call: 711). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the broker/agent when filing your complaint.

      Y0014_24100_M_2025 | S2893_2432_2025 | Last Updated: 10/01/2024