Medicare resources
Medicare Resources: Official Guides, Contacts & Help
Every official Medicare resource worth bookmarking, gathered in one place — the government sites, the free counseling programs, and the phone numbers that actually get you answers. Plus a local Boise team that's happy to walk through any of it with you.
Watch this first
Start Here: Medicare in Plain English
Ten minutes, zero jargon. Before you dive into the official guides below, this short video walks you through how Medicare actually fits together.
Ready to start?
Here's What Happens When You Call Us
Official resources are great homework. But if you'd rather have a person do the heavy lifting, here's exactly how it works — no forms, no pressure, no cost.
1. Call 208-350-9933
Patricia answers — a real person, not a phone tree. Tell her a bit about your situation and she'll set up a time with CarrieAnne or Sophia that works for you. Phone, office visit, whatever's comfortable.
2. We gather your details
Your doctors, your medications, your pharmacy, your budget, and what matters most to you — low premiums, travel flexibility, keeping a specific specialist. That list drives everything that follows.
3. We compare, you decide
CarrieAnne breaks your options into her 6 comparison areas, narrows to the best fit, then gives a full presentation of the chosen plan. Questions welcome. Deciding "not yet" is always allowed.
Prefer to talk it through instead? Call 208-350-9933 — same result, more conversation.
Coming in for an appointment? Complete the Scope of Appointment form first — it takes about two minutes.
Curious how each plan type works first? Start with Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), or Part D drug plans.
Insurance resources
Official Medicare Resources We Trust
These are the government and state sites we send our own clients to. All free, all official — no lookalike ad sites here.
Medicare.gov
The official federal Medicare site — coverage rules, costs, claims, and your secure Medicare account.
Visit Medicare.gov →Medicare Plan Finder
Enter your drugs and pharmacy to compare every Part D and Medicare Advantage plan in your ZIP code.
Compare plans →Get Started With Medicare
Medicare's own plain-language walkthrough of when to sign up and what Parts A, B, C, and D cover.
Start here →Official Publications Library
Medicare's full library of free guides — and just below, we've linked the 13 official PDFs we hand to clients most often.
Jump to our top 13 guides ↓Apply Through Social Security
Social Security handles actual Medicare enrollment — apply online in about 10 minutes, no office visit needed.
Apply for Medicare →Extra Help With Drug Costs
A federal program that lowers Part D premiums and copays if your income and resources are limited.
Check Extra Help →SHIBA — Idaho's Free Counselors
Idaho's Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors: free, unbiased Medicare counseling from the Idaho Department of Insurance.
Visit SHIBA →Your Health Idaho
Not 65 yet? Idaho's official ACA exchange is where under-65 Idahoans enroll in health coverage and tax credits.
Visit Your Health Idaho →Straight from the source
Official Medicare Guides & PDFs
The 13 official Medicare.gov publications we reach for most. Every link goes straight to Medicare.gov — free to download, save, or print.
| Topic | Official Medicare.gov guide |
|---|---|
| Enrollment periods | Enrollment Periods (PDF) |
| Medigap basics | What is a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) Policy (PDF) |
| Medicare Advantage | What is an Advantage Plan (Part C) (PDF) |
| Drug coverage | What Does a Drug Plan Cover (Part D) (PDF) |
| Who pays first | Coordination of Benefits (PDF) |
| Buying a Medigap policy | How to Buy a Medigap Policy (PDF) |
| Cost assistance | Qualifying for Assistance (PDF) |
| Extra Help program | Extra Help with Medicare Part D (PDF) |
| Medicare costs | What Will Medicare Cost? (PDF) |
| Prescription Payment Plan | Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (PDF) |
| Leaving the hospital | Hospital Discharge Checklist (PDF) |
| Medicare at a glance | A Quick Glance at Medicare (PDF) |
| Nursing home choices | Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home (PDF) |
All 13 links open official Medicare.gov PDFs in a new tab. Want a printed copy of any of them? Ask at your appointment — or grab our appointment forms here.
Keep these handy
Important Medicare Phone Numbers
Tape this list to the fridge. These four numbers cover nearly every Medicare question an Idahoan will ever have.
| Who to call | Number | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1-800-MEDICARE | 1-800-633-4227 (24/7) | Claims, coverage rules, replacing your Medicare card |
| Social Security | 1-800-772-1213 | Enrolling in Medicare, Part B sign-up, premium billing |
| SHIBA (Idaho SHIP) | 1-800-247-4422 | Free, unbiased counseling from Idaho's Department of Insurance |
| Personal Touch Ins. & Benefits | 208-350-9933 | Local plan comparisons, enrollment help, year-round service |
Still on the job?
Understanding Medicare & Working Past Age 65
More Idahoans than ever are working past 65, and the "do I need Medicare yet?" question trips people up constantly. Here's the plain-English version. The size of your employer is what matters most. If you work for a company with 20 or more employees, your group plan stays primary — you can usually delay Part B without penalty as long as that coverage is creditable. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare generally becomes the primary payer at 65, and skipping enrollment can leave you accidentally uninsured for the biggest share of your bills.
One trap catches even careful planners: HSA contributions. Once any part of Medicare starts — including premium-free Part A — you can no longer contribute to a Health Savings Account. And because Part A enrollment can be backdated up to six months when you sign up after 65, you may need to stop HSA contributions up to six months before you enroll to avoid tax penalties. Timing matters, so map it out before you file anything.
When you do retire or leave employer coverage, you get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to pick up Part B without a late penalty. Don't wait for COBRA to run out, though — COBRA doesn't count as employer coverage for this purpose, and that mistake can mean a lifelong Part B penalty. We walk through the full timeline in our guides to Medicare enrollment periods and turning 65 in Idaho. Or skip the reading and call — this is a five-minute conversation for us.
Working past 65 and not sure what to do?
Tell us your employer size and HSA situation, and we'll map your exact deadlines — free, in one phone call.
Call 208-350-9933Jargon, translated
A Quick Medicare Glossary
The eight terms you'll bump into most, in plain English. For more, our FAQ page goes deeper.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Part A | Hospital insurance — inpatient stays, skilled nursing, hospice. Premium-free for most people. |
| Part B | Medical insurance — doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services. Has a monthly premium. |
| Part C | Medicare Advantage — private all-in-one plans that replace how you receive Parts A and B, often with extras. |
| Part D | Prescription drug coverage, sold by private insurers as standalone plans or built into Advantage plans. |
| Medigap | Medicare Supplement insurance — private policies that pay the deductibles and coinsurance Original Medicare leaves behind. |
| MOOP | Maximum out-of-pocket — the yearly cap on what a Medicare Advantage plan can make you pay for covered care. |
| Formulary | A plan's list of covered drugs, sorted into pricing tiers. Always check yours against it. |
| SEP | Special Enrollment Period — a window to enroll or switch plans outside normal seasons after events like retiring or moving. |
Common questions
Medicare Resources FAQ
Is SHIBA really free?
Yes. SHIBA — Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors — is run by the Idaho Department of Insurance and funded as Idaho's official State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Their counselors are unbiased, don't sell anything, and don't earn commissions. Call them at 1-800-247-4422. We regularly point clients there for a second opinion.
What's the difference between calling 1-800-MEDICARE and calling your office?
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is the federal helpline — great for claims questions, replacing a Medicare card, or official plan information, and it's open 24/7. Our office at 208-350-9933 gives you a local licensed agent who learns your doctors, medications, and budget, then compares plans side by side. Both are free to you. Many people use both.
Do I have to sign up for Medicare at 65 if I'm still working?
Not always. If you have creditable coverage from an employer with 20 or more employees, you can usually delay Part B without a penalty and enroll later using a Special Enrollment Period. If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare typically pays first and skipping it can leave gaps. Call us or SHIBA before you decide — the wrong guess can cost you.
Where can I compare Medicare drug plans myself?
The official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov/plan-compare lets you enter your medications and pharmacy and see estimated yearly costs for every Part D and Medicare Advantage plan in your Idaho ZIP code. It's free and requires no login. If you'd rather not do the data entry, we'll run the same comparison for you at no cost.
Which official Medicare publications should I read first?
Start with "Medicare & You," the annual handbook mailed to every Medicare household. After that, the guides on enrollment periods and choosing a Medigap policy from the Medicare.gov publications library cover the two decisions with the biggest long-term consequences. Everything there is free to download or order by mail.
Does it cost anything to get help from Personal Touch?
No. Our comparisons, enrollment help, and year-round service cost you nothing — we're paid by the insurance companies at standardized rates, so the price of your plan is the same whether you enroll through us, online, or directly with the carrier. And there's never any pressure or obligation to enroll.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 5 organizations which offer 300 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.
Done Researching? Let's Compare.
You've got the official resources — now let a local agent turn them into a clear, side-by-side answer. One call, zero pressure, and it costs you nothing. Or send us a message and we'll call you.