Medicare Resources
Official forms, trusted government links, and plain-English answers — all in one place. Everything here is free to use, whether or not you ever become a client.
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Fillable, printable — straight from the source
We link directly to the official government copies of these forms. We are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or CMS, and hosting a link here doesn't mean these forms are required for everyone — check with us or SSA if you're not sure which one applies to you.
Form SSA-44
Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount — Life-Changing Event
Use this if your income has dropped because of a life-changing event — retirement, divorce, or the death of a spouse — and you want Social Security to reconsider your IRMAA surcharge.
Download SSA-44 (ssa.gov) →Form CMS-40B
Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B
Use this if you already have Part A and need to sign up for Part B — including signing up outside your Initial Enrollment Period.
Download CMS-40B (cms.gov) →Form CMS-L564
Request for Employment Information
Required alongside CMS-40B if you're enrolling in Part B after delaying it due to employer coverage. You complete Section A; your employer completes Section B.
Download CMS-L564 (cms.gov) →Not sure which form you need, or how to fill one out? Book a free call and we'll walk through it with you.
Official government resources
We never route you through a third party for information you can get straight from the government, free.
Medicare.gov
The official U.S. government site for Medicare — plan finder, coverage rules and enrollment details.
Visit Medicare.gov →1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227) — the official Medicare help line, available 24/7 for general questions.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE →Social Security Administration
Manage your Medicare enrollment, IRMAA appeals, and Social Security benefits directly at ssa.gov.
Visit SSA.gov →CMS.gov
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — the federal agency that runs the Medicare program.
Visit CMS.gov →Prefer a real person?
Skip the research and book a free call — we'll answer your specific question directly, no forms required.
Book a Free Call →Medicare glossary
Tap any term for a straightforward explanation — no jargon.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
The traditional, government-run Medicare program. Part A covers hospital stays; Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. It doesn't include prescription drug coverage on its own.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
An all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare, sold by private insurers. It usually bundles hospital, doctor and drug coverage together, often with extras like dental and vision — but typically uses a network.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
A private policy that pairs with Original Medicare to help pay the deductibles, copays and coinsurance Medicare doesn't cover. It doesn't use a network — you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare.
Medicare Part D
Standalone prescription drug coverage, sold by private insurers, that pairs with Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan.
Premium
The amount you pay, usually monthly, to keep your coverage active — separate from what you pay when you actually use care.
Deductible
The amount you pay out of pocket for covered services before your plan starts sharing the cost.
Copay & coinsurance
A copay is a fixed dollar amount you pay for a service (like $20 for a doctor visit). Coinsurance is a percentage of the cost you pay instead (like 20%).
Out-of-pocket maximum
The most you'll pay in a plan year for covered services before your plan pays 100% of the rest. Original Medicare alone has no out-of-pocket maximum — one reason many people pair it with a Supplement or choose Advantage.
Network
The group of doctors, specialists and hospitals a plan has contracted with. Staying in-network usually costs less; some plans charge much more, or won't cover care, out of network.
Formulary
A plan's list of covered prescription drugs, organized into cost tiers. The same drug can sit on a cheap tier with one plan and an expensive tier with another.
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount)
An extra surcharge added to your Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above a certain threshold, based on your tax return from two years prior. Form SSA-44 (above) is how you request a reconsideration after a life-changing event.
Enrollment periods (IEP, AEP, SEP)
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the 7-month window around your 65th birthday. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 – December 7 each year for plan changes. A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) opens outside those windows when certain life events occur, like losing employer coverage.
FAQ library
What happens if I miss my enrollment window?
Missing certain windows can mean waiting months for the next opportunity to enroll, and in some cases a lifelong late-enrollment penalty added to your premium. If you're not sure which window applies to you, book a free call before a deadline passes.
Can I have both a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medicare Supplement?
No — you can have Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, or you can have a Medicare Advantage Plan, but not both at the same time. (If you drop Medigap to try Medicare Advantage, federal rules may give you a limited window to get it back if you switch back to Original Medicare.) We'll help you compare the two paths side by side so you choose what actually fits your situation.
Do I need Medicare Part B if I'm still working and have employer coverage?
It depends on your employer's size and how your current plan coordinates with Medicare. Enrolling too early — or too late — can both cause problems. See our Still Working Past 65 page, or book a free call for a straight answer.
What is the SSA-44 form used for and when would I need it?
It's used to ask Social Security to lower your IRMAA surcharge after a life-changing event (like retirement) reduced your income. You can download the official, fillable version above.
More resources on the way
Downloadable Guides & Checklists [Coming soon]
Step-by-step checklists for enrolling in Medicare, comparing plans, and reviewing your coverage every year are in development. In the meantime, book a free call and we'll walk through it with you personally.
Articles & Insights [Coming soon]
Original articles on Medicare news, deadlines and decisions that affect Florida seniors are on the way. Check back, or follow us on Facebook for updates.
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