Turning 65
Build a personal timeline for Medicare eligibility, Social Security steps, employer coverage questions, and decisions that may need attention.
Missouri Medicare education
Medicare Resources for Missouri
Use this learning center to understand the major Medicare coverage paths, find the timing guide that matches your situation, and prepare for a useful conversation.
Find the right guide
Choose the situation that matches your question
Medicare Advantage review
Prepare questions about providers, prescriptions, pharmacies, costs, provider access rules, service areas, and current plan documents.
Medicare Supplement questions
Understand how Medigap works with Original Medicare, when federal enrollment protections may apply, and what requires individual review.
Annual coverage review
Use a privacy-safe checklist to organize current notices, providers, prescriptions, pharmacies, costs, and preferences.
Using this resource center
Use these educational guides to prepare questions, compare general Medicare paths, and organize current information before an individual review.
Official Medicare information
Use Medicare.gov and Social Security for current eligibility, enrollment, coverage, and program information.
Understand the coverage paths
Four Medicare terms that serve different roles
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is the federal program that includes Part A and Part B. People using Original Medicare may consider separate Part D prescription coverage and may be eligible to purchase Medicare Supplement insurance.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is another way to receive Medicare-covered services through a private plan that contracts with Medicare. Plan rules, provider access rules, costs, and included coverage can vary and require current review.
Medicare Part D
Part D provides prescription drug coverage through private plans. Prescription coverage lists, pharmacies, tiers, restrictions, and costs can change, so current plan information matters.
Medicare Supplement insurance
Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap, helps pay certain out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare. It does not work with Medicare Advantage.
Enrollment timing is not one-size-fits-all
Use the enrollment period that actually applies
1
Initial Enrollment Period
For many people, the Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window that begins three months before the month they turn 65 and ends three months after. Exact timing can vary, so confirm it through official sources.
2
Annual Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollment
The annual October 15 through December 7 period permits certain Medicare Advantage and Part D changes for the following year. It does not mean everyone should change coverage.
3
Other enrollment rights
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, Special Enrollment Periods, Medigap Open Enrollment Period, and guaranteed-issue rights have different eligibility and timing rules.
Prepare privately
Organize information for an individual review
Provider use, prescriptions, pharmacies, travel, budget, current coverage, and future needs can matter. Keep personal Medicare, medical, prescription, financial, plan, and account information out of public forms and ordinary email. Use the annual review checklist to organize non-sensitive questions before discussing specific options.
Source and review record
Official Medicare and Missouri resources
Medicare.govGetting started with MedicareMedicare.govAnnual Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollmentMedicare.govMedigap basicsMissouri Department of Commerce and InsuranceMissouri Medigap information
Official sources reviewed July 21, 2026. Medicare rules, dates, costs, plan details, provider access rules, prescription coverage lists, and availability can change. Reverify current information before publication and during scheduled substantive reviews.
Continue your Medicare research
Use the educational guides and checklist to prepare questions for an individual review.
Contact and enrollment notice: Contacting Southern Shield does not enroll you in a Medicare plan, create coverage, or establish a Scope of Appointment. Additional required steps may apply before specific plan discussions. Do not send Medicare numbers, medical information, prescription details, financial information, or account information through public forms or ordinary email.
“We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information provided is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.”