Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare, offered by private insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna. These plans bundle Medicare Part A (hospital), Part B (medical), and usually Part D (prescription drugs) into one policy. For 2026, the average Medicare Advantage premium is $14/month, and plans include an out-of-pocket maximum (capped at $9,250 for in-network care in 2026). Most Medicare Advantage plans include extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage not available through Original Medicare. However, you're typically limited to a network of providers (HMO or PPO structure).

Medigap is supplemental insurance that works alongside Original Medicare Part A and Part B. You keep Original Medicare as your primary coverage, and the Medigap policy pays for out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Medigap Plan G (the most popular option for new enrollees) averages $217/month in 2026. With Medigap, you can see any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare—no network restrictions. You'll need to purchase a separate Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. 87% of traditional Medicare enrollees have some form of supplemental coverage, with 43% choosing Medigap policies.

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and extends 3 months after (a 7-month window total). If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. If you're still working with employer coverage, you may delay Part B enrollment without penalty using a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when your employer coverage ends.

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year. During AEP, you can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare. Coverage changes made during AEP take effect January 1.

If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP) runs January 1 through March 31, allowing you to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy (though Medigap enrollment outside your initial window may require medical underwriting in most states).

No. We are compensated directly by Medicare insurance carriers (UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, Wellcare, and others) when you enroll in a plan. This compensation is built into the plan's structure and does not increase your premium. You pay the same premium whether you enroll directly with the carrier, through Medicare.gov, or through an independent broker like Grey Cardinal. Our service—including plan comparison, enrollment assistance, and ongoing advocacy—costs you nothing.

The number of available Medicare Advantage and Part D plans varies by county. In 2026, the average Medicare beneficiary nationwide has access to 32 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage. Beaufort County, Jasper County (Bluffton/Hardeeville area), and Charleston County each have dozens of Medicare Advantage options from carriers including UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, Wellcare, and regional insurers. For Part D standalone prescription drug plans, approximately 11 options are available to the average beneficiary in South Carolina for 2026 (down from 14 in 2025). We compare all available plans in your specific county to identify the best fit for your needs.

The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026 (up from $185/month in 2025). Higher-income beneficiaries pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) that increases the Part B premium based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior. IRMAA surcharges also apply to Part D prescription drug plan premiums for higher earners.

It depends on which Medicare coverage option you choose. With Original Medicare plus a Medigap policy, you can see any doctor or specialist in the United States who accepts Medicare (over 90% of physicians accept Medicare). With a Medicare Advantage plan, you're typically limited to the plan's provider network. HMO plans require you to use in-network providers (except for emergency care), while PPO plans allow out-of-network care at higher cost-sharing. Before enrolling in any Medicare Advantage plan, we verify that your current primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospitals are in-network.

Medicare Advantage plans can change premiums, cost-sharing, covered drugs, and provider networks annually. Each fall, we conduct an annual plan review for our clients during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) to ensure your current plan still meets your needs. If your plan has reduced benefits, increased costs, or dropped your doctors from the network, we'll help you compare alternatives and switch plans if necessary. Over 35 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage as of February 2026, and plan changes are common—which is why ongoing broker support matters.

You can enroll in Medicare plans directly through Medicare.gov or by contacting insurance carriers. However, independent brokers like Grey Cardinal offer several advantages: we compare plans from all major carriers (not just one), we verify your doctors and medications are covered before you enroll, we handle enrollment paperwork and ensure compliance with Medicare rules, and we provide ongoing support after enrollment to resolve claims issues and conduct annual reviews. Because we're paid by carriers (not by you), there's no cost for this service. 65% of Medicare beneficiaries report confusion about which plans to choose—broker guidance eliminates that uncertainty.