Medicare · Turning 65

New to Medicare? Your First Decisions

Approaching 65 comes with a stack of mail and a ticking clock. Here's the simple sequence that gets you enrolled on time and into the right plan.

Step 1 — Know your enrollment window

Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months long: the three months before your 65th-birthday month, the month itself, and the three months after. Enrolling in the first three months means coverage starts the month you turn 65.

Step 2 — Decide your path

The biggest decision is Medicare Advantage versus Original Medicare plus a Supplement. Advantage plans often cost less monthly and add perks but use networks and referrals; Supplements cost more monthly but offer near-total freedom of providers and very predictable bills. Neither is universally 'better' — it depends on your doctors, health, travel, and budget.

Step 3 — Get one-time guidance you can trust

Your first-year choice matters because switching from Advantage to a Supplement later can require medical underwriting. Starting in the right lane is worth a single, unhurried conversation with someone who isn't paid to steer you.

FAQ

Common questions

I'm turning 65 but still working — what do I do?

If you have solid employer coverage you may delay parts of Medicare, but the rules depend on employer size and coverage type. Talk to us a few months before your birthday so we can time it correctly and avoid penalties.

Are you connected to Medicare or the government?

No. Mere Benefits is a private, independent agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We don't offer every plan available in your area — to review all your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.

How much does it cost to work with Mere Benefits?

Nothing extra. Plan prices are set by the carriers and are identical whether you enroll on your own or with a licensed agent — we're paid by the carriers, so our guidance is free to you.

How do I get started?

Call or text (904) 654-5450, email info@merebenefits.com, or use our contact form. We'll set up a relaxed, no-pressure conversation — in person on the First Coast, or by phone and video.

Are you independent, or tied to one insurance company?

Independent. We aren't captive to a single insurer, so we compare the options across the carriers we represent and recommend what fits you — not what pays us most.

Will I have to change doctors?

Not if we can help it. Before recommending a plan we confirm your doctors are in-network and your prescriptions are covered, so keeping your care is part of the decision.

Can you help by phone and video, or only in person?

Both. We meet clients in person across Northeast Florida and Camden County, GA, and serve all 11 of our licensed states by phone and video.

Talk with a real person

Not sure where to start?

One free, no-pressure conversation and we'll translate your options into a clear recommendation — built around your doctors, medications, and budget.

  • No cost to you
  • RSSA® · CMIP®
  • No pressure, ever

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