Medicare Advice in New Jersey from a Licensed Independent Broker

Common Medicare questions NJ residents ask at 65

The questions I hear most often from folks in Bergen County, Monmouth County, and everywhere in between:

• Do I need Part B if I'm still working with employer coverage?
• What's the Part B late enrollment penalty? (10% per 12-month period you delayed)
• Should I get Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
• How do I pick a Part D drug plan that covers my medications?

If you're still working at 65, you can enroll in Part A (free) and delay Part B without penalty as long as you have creditable employer coverage. The details matter. One wrong assumption can cost you for years.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: which path fits your situation

Medigap Plan G plus a standalone Part D plan gives you freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare, anywhere in the country. You pay higher monthly premiums but your out-of-pocket costs stay predictable. For 2026, you'd cover the $283 Part B deductible and Plan G handles the rest.

Medicare Advantage bundles medical, drug, and often dental/vision into one plan with lower premiums. The trade-off: provider networks, referrals, and prior authorizations. For people who need ongoing dental work or want the simplicity of a single card, Advantage can make sense. Neither choice is universally "better." Your doctors, your prescriptions, and your tolerance for surprise bills should drive the decision.

How Anthony Orner helps you avoid costly enrollment mistakes

I'm licensed with every major carrier in New Jersey. That means I compare Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, Horizon, and others side by side. I don't work for any of them. I work for you.

The most expensive mistake I see: missing your Medigap open enrollment window. That 6-month period starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During that window, carriers must accept you regardless of health history. After it closes, they can deny you or charge more. I make sure your timing is right.

Key 2026 Medicare costs you should know

• Part B premium: $202.90/month
• Part B deductible: $283/year
• Part A deductible: $1,676 per benefit period
• Skilled nursing coinsurance (days 21-100): $209.50/day
• Open Enrollment for Advantage and Part D: October 15 through December 7

Why independent advice beats a 1-800 number

Call a carrier's hotline and they'll only tell you about their plans. Call me and I'll show you what every carrier offers for your zip code, your medications, and your doctors. Same cost to you either way, because brokers are paid by the carriers. The difference is you get the full picture instead of one company's sales pitch.

Request free Medicare advice — no obligation, no pressure

You don't need to figure this out alone. Whether you're three months from 65 or already enrolled and wondering if you picked the right plan, I'll walk you through your options in plain English. One phone call. No charge. No pressure.