Medicare Guidance · Based in Covington, TN

Medicare Guidance in Covington and West Tennessee

Medicare has a lot of moving parts — enrollment windows, plan types, networks, drug lists, and costs that change from year to year. I'm Deidra Jones, an independent insurance agent with The Coverage Firm in Covington. I help people in Tipton County and across West Tennessee understand how Medicare works and compare options that may fit their doctors, prescriptions, and budget.

Whether you're turning 65, retiring, or reviewing coverage you already have, we can start with a no-obligation phone conversation.

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Prefer to talk now? Call 901-300-0037.

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Plan availability and represented product counts may vary by county and ZIP code.

Privacy note: Please do not send Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, medical records, or detailed health information through this form.

Where You Are Today

Medicare help for every stage

Turning 65

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window around your 65th birthday. We'll walk through when coverage can start, how Parts A and B work, and what choices come next — so you're not deciding in a rush.

Retiring or Leaving Employer Coverage

If you're working past 65 or your job-based coverage is ending, the timing of Part B and drug coverage matters. We'll look at how your employer or retiree coverage fits with Medicare and which enrollment windows may apply to you.

Reviewing Your Current Coverage

Plans can change their costs, networks, and drug lists each year. A coverage review helps you check whether your current plan still works with your doctors, prescriptions, and pharmacy before the next enrollment period.

Understanding the Basics

How the parts of Medicare fit together

Most Medicare decisions come down to two main paths: Original Medicare (often paired with a Medicare Supplement policy and a Part D drug plan), or a Medicare Advantage plan. Here's a plain-language overview.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

Part A is hospital insurance and Part B is medical insurance. With Original Medicare, you can generally see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that takes Medicare. It doesn't cover everything, and there are out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare-approved plans offered by private companies that bundle Part A and Part B coverage, and most include drug coverage. Many plans use provider networks, so checking that your doctors and hospitals participate is important.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare to help pay some out-of-pocket costs. Medigap only works with Original Medicare — not with a Medicare Advantage plan — and policies sold today don't include prescription drug coverage.

Part D (Drug Coverage)

Prescription drug coverage offered by private plans. Each plan has its own list of covered drugs and pharmacy network, which is why reviewing your actual prescriptions matters more than comparing premiums alone.

Want a deeper walkthrough first? Watch the free Medicare 101 video at your own pace.

What Matters for You

There's no one-size-fits-all Medicare plan

The right fit depends on your own situation. A plan that works well for a neighbor may not work for you. During a review, we look at the details that actually affect your care and costs.

Plan availability, benefits, and costs vary by plan and county. See the Medicare disclaimer near the top of this page.

Local, Independent Guidance

A Medicare resource close to home

The Coverage Firm is based in Covington, Tennessee. Because I'm independent rather than tied to one insurance company, I can compare options from the carriers I'm appointed with and explain the trade-offs in plain language.

Consultations are by phone for Medicare clients across West Tennessee, including Tipton, Haywood, Madison, Shelby, Lauderdale, and Dyer counties. Education comes first — you decide what's right for you, with no pressure.

How It Works

What a Medicare review looks like

01

Pick a time

Choose a 30-minute phone appointment that fits your schedule. Deidra calls you at the scheduled time.

02

Talk through your situation

We discuss your timeline, current coverage, doctors, prescriptions, and what matters most to you.

03

Understand your options

You'll get clear explanations and next steps. There's no obligation to enroll in anything.

Before Your Appointment

What to have ready for your Medicare review

Having these nearby makes your conversation more useful. You don't need everything on the list to get started.

Please do not include Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, policy numbers, or detailed medical information in website forms or the booking form.
Common Questions

Medicare questions and answers

When is Medicare Annual Enrollment?

Medicare Annual Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1. Call 901-300-0037 to schedule a Medicare plan review before the deadline.

What should I have ready for a Medicare plan review?

A list of your doctors, your prescriptions with dosages, and your preferred pharmacy. It also helps to have your Medicare card or Part A and Part B start dates, your current plan materials, and information about any other coverage. See the full checklist. Please don't send your Medicare number, Social Security number, or medical records by message or online form.

Do you offer every Medicare plan in my area?

No. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 6 organizations which offer 48 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

These counts apply to Tipton, Haywood, and Madison counties in Tennessee.

Can I ask about Medicare Supplement plans outside Annual Enrollment?

Yes. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) options aren't tied to the December 7 deadline. Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurance companies may ask health questions before accepting a new policy, so it helps to ask early. Call 901-300-0037 to talk it through.

Where do you serve Medicare clients, and do you meet by phone?

The Coverage Firm is based in Covington, Tennessee, and helps Medicare clients in West Tennessee, including Tipton, Haywood, Madison, Shelby, Lauderdale, and Dyer counties. Consultations are by phone. Call 901-300-0037 to schedule an appointment.

When can I first sign up for Medicare?

Most people first become eligible at 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: it starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends three months after. When your coverage starts depends on when you sign up during that window.

I'm still working at 65. Do I have to sign up for Part B?

It depends on your situation. Some people with job-based health coverage from current employment can delay Part B and later use a Special Enrollment Period, which generally lasts up to eight months after the employment or the group coverage ends, whichever happens first. Rules differ based on employer size and type of coverage, so check with your benefits administrator and Social Security before deciding. A review can help you sort through the timing.

Can I change my Medicare coverage each year?

Yes, there are set times to make changes. During Medicare Open Enrollment, from October 15 to December 7, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, with coverage starting January 1. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 allows certain changes. Some life events can qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period at other times. Medicare Supplement policies follow separate rules and aren't tied to the December 7 deadline, so you can ask about Medicare Supplement options separately.

What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and a Medicare Supplement?

A Medicare Advantage plan replaces how you receive your Part A and Part B benefits, often uses a provider network, and usually includes drug coverage. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy works alongside Original Medicare to help with out-of-pocket costs, and you generally pair it with a separate Part D plan. You can't use a Medigap policy with a Medicare Advantage plan.

When is the best time to buy a Medicare Supplement policy?

Medigap has its own six-month Open Enrollment Period that starts the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. Buying outside that window can be harder in some cases, so it's worth understanding the timing early.

Is there a penalty if I don't have drug coverage?

You may owe a Part D late enrollment penalty if you go 63 or more days in a row without Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage after you're first eligible. If you have drug coverage through an employer or another source, ask whether it's considered creditable.

Is there any obligation if I schedule a Medicare plan review?

No. There is no obligation to meet with us for a Medicare plan review, and there's no obligation to enroll in a plan.

Where else can I get free Medicare information?

You can visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048), or contact the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP) at 1-877-801-0044 for free, unbiased counseling.

Ready to talk through your Medicare options?

Schedule a no-obligation phone review, or start with the free Medicare 101 video.

Schedule a Medicare Review Watch Medicare 101

Questions first? Send a message or call 901-300-0037.

Important Disclosures

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