Medicare Resources

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, and hospice care. The Social Security Administration will determine if you have a premium. 

Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient services including doctor or specialist visits, durable medical equipment, lab work, outpatient surgery, preventative care, and other outpatient services. Your premiums are based off your tax return data.

Medicare Part D plans cover brand name and generic prescription drugs and are offered by private insurance companies contracted with Medicare. Each Part D plan will have different premiums and different drug formularies.

Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers alternatives to Original Medicare. These plans must cover all medically necessary services that Medicare originally offers. These plans generally include Part D as well as vision and dental services. These premiums vary. 

Many people are working past age 65. If that's you, or you are insured under your spouse's work insurance, you have some decisions to make about your health insurance. With Immanuel, you have the option to stay on your employer insurance, enroll in Medicare, or both.

You are not required to enroll in Medicare. For most people, Medicare Part A is premium-free, but if covered on your employer insurance, Medicare becomes secondary insurance.

When you are ready to retire and your employer coverage ends, you will have a special enrollment period. This means for a limited time; you are able to enroll in Medicare without penalty. Each part of Medicare has its own rules regarding when you should enroll during the Special Enrollment period.

COBRA coverage is an extension of an employer group plan, offered to individuals who experience certain qualifying events, such as loss of employment. COBRA coverage will generally end when a person becomes eligible for Medicare. If a person is enrolled in Medicare before becoming eligible for COBRA, the COBRA coverage may be kept and would pay secondary to Medicare.

Metro Community College (Omaha)

Senior Life Explore MCC – Metro Community College offers quarterly Medicare education sessions to help you understand options and enrollment timelines in a supportive setting.

Southeast Community College (Falls City, Lincoln, Nebraska City, York)

Money Matters: Welcome to Medicare – Southeast Community College holds quarterly “Welcome to Medicare” classes with practical guidance on basics and coverage, ideal for group learners.

Nebraska State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP):
Address: 1526 K St. Ste. 201, Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: 1-800-234-7119
Email: DOI.SHIP@nebraska.gov
Website: https://doi.nebraska.gov/nebraska-ship-smp

Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) (statewide)

Welcome to Medicare – These free classes are available throughout Iowa. People approaching Medicare eligibility can learn the basics of Medicare, including coverage options, Medicare parts, enrollment timelines, and other key topics. A digital recording of the class is also available online.

Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)  and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP):

Iowa Insurance Division
Address: 1963 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315
Phone: 1-800-351-4664
Email: shiip@iid.iowa.gov
Website: https://shiip.iowa.gov

If you need a resource to help navigate Marketplace/Medicare coverage, you can reach out to: 

Sara Fleming, licensed insurance agent
Phone: 402-658-8291
Email: sfleming@healthmarkets.com
Website: https://sarafleminginsurance.com

Jaime Williams, insurance broker
Phone: 402-601-6639 
Email: jwinsbroker@gmail.com
Website: https://hsb-insurance.com

How Medicare Works with Other Insurance: This official Medicare resource explains how Medicare coordinates with employer-sponsored health insurance and other coverage. It’s especially helpful for employees who plan to continue working past age 65 and want to understand which insurance pays first and how benefits may interact.

Understanding Your Medicare Coverage Options: If you are exploring plans, this guide walks through the different parts of Medicare and additional coverage choices such as Medicare Advantage, supplemental plans, and prescription drug coverage. It’s a great starting point for comparing options and understanding the basics.

Social Security Medicare Enrollment & How-To Guides: The Social Security Administration manages Medicare enrollment. This site includes step-by-step instructions, eligibility details, enrollment timelines, and important reminders to help you apply or make changes to your Medicare coverage.