Medicare in Licking County, Ohio: A Local Guide
A local, plain-English guide to Medicare choices for Licking County residents.
Read the guideMEDICARE PLAN OPTIONS
Medicare Plan Help in Newark, Ohio from a Licensed Agent
Whether you're turning 65 or reviewing your current coverage, we'll help you understand your options and compare plans available in your area.
- Licensed insurance agents
- No-cost, no-obligation review
- Plain-English explanations
Based in Newark, Ohio, and serving clients in 37 states by phone and video. See our licensed states.
Understand your options
We explain plan types available in your area.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Part D prescription plans
- Enrollment period guidance
Instant Quote
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Use our secure personalized quote tool to explore plan options available in your ZIP code at your own pace. When you're ready, a licensed agent can answer your questions.
Compare Medicare Plans Online
Plan availability, benefits, and costs vary by location.
Understanding Your Medicare Options
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
Part A helps cover hospital stays. Part B helps cover doctor visits and outpatient care. Many people add other coverage to help with costs Original Medicare doesn't cover.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Plans offered by private insurance companies that combine Part A and Part B coverage, and often prescription drug coverage, into one plan. Benefits and networks vary by plan.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare to help pay costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)
Stand-alone plans offered by private insurance companies that help cover the cost of prescription medications.
Know Your Enrollment Periods
Initial Enrollment Period
A 7-month window around your 65th birthday: 3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
Review and change Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage for the coming year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – Mar 31)
If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make a one-time change.
Note: Special Enrollment Periods may apply after certain life events.
How Working with Us Works
1
Tell Us What Matters.
Your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and how you like to receive care.
2
Review Your Options.
A licensed agent explains plans available in your area in plain English.
3
Enroll with Confidence.
If you choose a plan, we'll help with enrollment, and we're here for questions each year.
Get a Quote
Request Your Medicare Consultation
Share a few details and a licensed insurance agent will contact you. There is no obligation to enroll.
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See options and estimated prices any time with our secure instant quote tool.
Compare plans online →Medicare Guidance in Newark and Licking County, Ohio
Health Shield is an independent, licensed insurance agency. As a Licking County Medicare agent, we help people in Newark, Heath, Granville, Pataskala and across Ohio understand their options and compare plans offered by private insurance companies.
Turning 65 in Ohio
Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month and the three months after. If you are still working with employer coverage, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty, but the rules depend on employer size. We help you decide when to enroll so you avoid gaps and late penalties.
Original Medicare, Parts A and B
Part A helps cover hospital stays and Part B helps cover doctor visits and outpatient care. Original Medicare has deductibles and 20% coinsurance with no annual out-of-pocket limit, which is why many people add more coverage.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They combine Part A and Part B coverage and often include prescription drug coverage and extras such as dental, vision or hearing. Most use networks, have an annual out-of-pocket maximum and have plan premiums that vary by plan (you still pay your Part B premium). Plans and networks vary by county, so we check that your doctors and pharmacies are included. Hospital copays on Medicare Advantage? See hospital indemnity insurance.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare and help pay deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Plans are standardized by letter, such as Plan G and Plan N, so benefits are the same from company to company, while prices differ. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, the six months starting when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B, is generally the best time to buy without health questions.
Part D prescription drug plans
Part D plans help cover prescriptions and are often paired with Original Medicare and a supplement. Formularies, pharmacies and costs change every year, so we compare plans using your actual drug list.
Annual Enrollment Period
From October 15 to December 7 you can change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans for coverage starting January 1. We're happy to review your coverage with you each year. Call us at (740) 272-5655 or see dental and vision coverage if you have Original Medicare.
Medicare FAQs
A good time to start is about 3 months before your 65th birthday, which is when your Initial Enrollment Period begins. If you're still working with employer coverage, your timing may be different, and we can help you sort it out.
Medicare Advantage plans replace how you receive Original Medicare benefits and often include extra benefits and provider networks. Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare to help pay out-of-pocket costs. Each has trade-offs depending on your health, budget, and travel needs.
Plan premiums are set by the insurance company and are the same whether you enroll through a licensed agent or on your own.
It depends on the plan. Some plans use networks, others don't. We'll check your doctors against the plans you're considering.
Often, yes. You may be able to make changes during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7) or other qualifying enrollment periods. Medicare Supplement changes may involve health questions depending on your state and timing.
No. Health Shield is an independent, licensed insurance agency. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Plan premiums are the same whether you enroll through a licensed agent or directly with the insurance company. We're glad to walk you through your options before you decide.
During the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, you can switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. Changing Medicare Supplement plans may require answering health questions.
Medicare Advantage replaces how you receive Parts A and B through a private plan, usually with a network. A Medicare Supplement works with Original Medicare to pay your share of costs and lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare.
Get Clear Answers About Your Medicare Options
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Health Shield is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent may contact you.
Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, benefits, and costs vary by location.