If you live in Newark and have Medicare, the annual enrollment period from October 15 to December 7 is your yearly chance to review and change your Medicare Advantage or drug plan. Changes made by December 7 start January 1.
This article is educational. Instant Health Help is a licensed health insurance agency, and our agent, Lobsang Rivas, is licensed in New Jersey. We are not Medicare, CMS, or an insurance company, and we do not quote prices or name plans here. Check official dates on Medicare.gov. This post covers Medicare only.
The short answer
- Medicare. Use Medicare.gov Plan Finder or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Free, unbiased counseling, not tied to any insurance company. Find New Jersey’s program at shiphelp.org.
- A licensed agent. An agent can compare options with you and help you enroll. Medicare.gov suggests checking the rules agents must follow.
Key Medicare dates
- Annual enrollment: October 15 to December 7.
- Medicare Advantage open enrollment: January 1 to March 31, only if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Turning 65: a seven month initial enrollment period that starts three months before your birthday month.
What Newark area residents should check
Your Annual Notice of Change. It arrives each fall. Read it before you decide to stay in your plan.
Your doctors across the river. Many North Jersey residents see doctors in New Jersey and in New York City. If you use a hospital in Newark or a specialist in Manhattan, ask each office and the plan whether they will be in network next year. Medicare Advantage networks are often local, so check before you assume.
Your county. Plans are sold by service area. Choices in Essex County may differ from Hudson, Union, or Passaic County. Compare with your own ZIP code.
Your prescriptions and pharmacy. Enter every drug you take in Plan Finder, along with the pharmacy you actually use.
Under 65 in New Jersey?
New Jersey runs its own marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey, for individual and family coverage under 65. It is separate from Medicare and from HealthCare.gov. See our New Jersey open enrollment guide for the dates, and apply through Get Covered New Jersey directly.
How we help
We help New Jersey residents with Medicare questions by phone and online, in English or Spanish. More on our New Jersey health insurance help page. We go over your doctors, prescriptions, and ZIP code and explain the options in plain English.
Questions before December 7?
Have your Medicare card and drug list ready, and we will walk through it with you.
Call (321) 315-0054 | agent@inshh.com
Featured photo: Cherry Blossom in Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ by Siddharth Mallya, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped with text added.
Medicare agent for Newark, NJ — by phone
Licensed Medicare help for Newark and Essex County by phone, in English or Spanish. We review your doctors, drugs and plan options before December 7. We do not have a walk-in office in Newark; help is by phone (and video when useful). No cost to you.
Newark Medicare FAQ
Is there a Medicare agent for Newark, NJ?
Yes. A licensed agent can help Newark and Essex County residents compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D by phone. Instant Health Help does not operate a Newark office; reviews are by phone.
When can I change Medicare plans?
During Annual Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, with changes starting January 1. If you already have Medicare Advantage, you also have January 1 through March 31 to switch Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment).
Does using an agent cost me more?
No. Our help is at no cost to you. If you enroll, the insurance company may pay us. You can also contact 1-800-MEDICARE or your local SHIP for counseling.