eHealth Medicare Advantage Plans 2025: Complete Guide

Online marketplaces like eHealth promise a simple way to compare Medicare plans. They bring all your options to one place, but that convenience doesn’t always equal clarity. To pick the right plan, you have to look past the sales pitch. You need to check if your doctors are in-network, calculate your total potential costs, and make sure your prescriptions are covered. This guide will walk you through how to properly compare eHealth Medicare Advantage plans. We’ll help you find eHealth Medicare Advantage plans 2025 that truly work for you and your budget.

Key Takeaways

Calculate the total cost, not just the premium: A $0 premium plan can be appealing, but your actual expenses depend on the deductible, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximum. Add up all these potential costs to see which plan truly fits your budget.
Verify your doctors and drugs are covered: Before enrolling, use a plan’s search tools to confirm your preferred doctors are in-network and your specific prescriptions are included. This is the most important step to avoid unexpected bills and coverage gaps.
Don’t rely on a single website for answers: While eHealth is a helpful starting point, it’s wise to compare its information with the official Medicare.gov website or speak with a licensed agent to ensure you have a complete and unbiased view of all your options.

How Does eHealth and How Does It Work?

If you’ve started looking into Medicare Advantage plans, you’ve likely come across eHealth. It’s a well-known online marketplace where you can compare different insurance options. Think of it as a large digital storefront for Medicare plans. But before you start clicking around, it’s helpful to understand exactly what eHealth is, what kinds of plans it offers, and how the whole process works. Getting a handle on these basics will make your search much smoother and help you feel more confident as you compare your options.

eHealth’s Company History and Leadership

eHealth, also known by its original name eHealthInsurance, is an online marketplace where you can shop for health insurance plans. The company has been around since 1997 and became a publicly traded company in 2006. It functions as a large digital hub, partnering with approximately 170 different insurance carriers to offer plans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This wide network is why you’ll find a broad selection of plans when you search on their site. The company’s current CEO is Fran Soistman, who has been in the leadership role since November 2021.

Is eHealth a Legitimate Company?

Yes, eHealth is a legitimate and well-established company. It operates as a licensed insurance broker, which means it has the legal authority and credentials to sell insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, and help individuals with the enrollment process. More importantly, eHealth is approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that runs Medicare. This approval means eHealth must follow strict government regulations designed to protect consumers. The company also maintains a strong reputation with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive customer feedback on sites like Trustpilot, reflecting a history of reliable service for many users.

Is eHealth a Medicare Broker?

First things first, it’s important to know that eHealth is not an insurance company. Instead, it’s an insurance broker. This means they partner with many different private insurance companies to sell their plans. When you visit their website and enter your ZIP code, eHealth shows you a list of Medicare Advantage plans available in your specific area from all those different carriers.

You might be wondering how they make money. Using eHealth’s comparison tools is completely free for you. Their service is paid for by the insurance companies. When you sign up for a plan through their website, the insurance company pays eHealth a commission. This model allows you to compare multiple plans in one place without any cost or obligation.

What Insurance Products Does eHealth Offer?

eHealth’s digital shelves are stocked with a wide variety of insurance products. While they are widely known for Medicare Advantage plans, their offerings don’t stop there. You can also use their platform to compare Medicare Supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, and standalone Part D prescription drug plans. This makes it a potential one-stop shop if you want to see different types of Medicare coverage side-by-side. Beyond Medicare, eHealth also sells individual and family health plans for those under 65, as well as supplemental coverage like dental and vision insurance. This broad selection means you can find many different types of policies in one place.

Who Are eHealth’s Insurance Partners?

Because eHealth is a broker, they don’t have their own plans. Instead, they partner with a long list of private insurance companies to offer you a wide selection. You’ll see many of the biggest names in the industry on their site. eHealth works with many well-known insurance carriers, including national providers like Aetna, Humana, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, as well as regional Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. This extensive network is one of their main selling points, as it allows you to compare plans from many different providers without having to visit each company’s website individually. The specific companies and plans available will always depend on your location, but you can generally expect to find options from many established insurers.

What Does a Medicare Advantage Plan Cover?

The plans you’ll find on eHealth are primarily Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C. These are plans offered by private companies that are approved by Medicare. They bundle all your health care coverage into a single plan. By law, every Medicare Advantage plan must provide at least the same level of coverage as Original Medicare (Part A for hospital stays and Part B for doctor visits).

Where these plans really differ is in the extra benefits they often include. Many Medicare Advantage plans roll in prescription drug coverage (Part D), so you don’t need a separate drug plan. They also frequently offer benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as routine dental exams, vision care like eye exams and glasses, and hearing aids.

What Are the Different Types of Medicare Advantage Plans?

As you browse, you’ll notice that Medicare Advantage plans come in several different formats. The most common types you’ll see are HMOs and PPOs. Understanding the difference is key to picking a plan that fits your lifestyle. HMO plans (Health Maintenance Organizations) typically require you to use doctors and hospitals within their network for your care to be covered, except in emergencies. They can be a cost-effective option if your favorite doctors are already in their network.

PPO plans (Preferred Provider Organizations) offer more flexibility. You can see both in-network and out-of-network providers, but you’ll usually pay less if you stay within the plan’s network. On eHealth, you can filter your search results by plan type, which makes it easy to focus only on the options that work for you.

Potential Downsides of Using eHealth

While online marketplaces offer a great starting point, they aren’t without their limitations. Using a tool like eHealth can simplify the initial stages of your research, but it’s smart to be aware of a few potential downsides. Understanding these drawbacks will help you use the platform effectively while ensuring you don’t accidentally overlook better options. Knowing what a website can and can’t show you is a key part of making a well-informed decision about your health coverage.

Limited Plan Selection

One of the most important things to understand is that eHealth is a broker, not a comprehensive search engine for every plan on the market. It only displays plans from the specific insurance companies it partners with. This means you won’t see all the available Medicare Advantage plans in your area. A plan with a lower out-of-pocket maximum, better prescription coverage, or a network that includes all your preferred doctors might exist, but it won’t appear in your search results if that insurance carrier doesn’t have a contract with eHealth. This is why it’s a good idea to cross-reference your findings with the official Medicare.gov plan finder.

Potential for Biased Advice

eHealth provides its comparison service for free because it earns a commission from insurance companies when you enroll in a plan through its site. While the company states its agents offer fair advice, it’s helpful to remember that they work for a private business that is paid by insurance carriers. As Healthline notes, this structure means there’s a chance their advice might not be completely free from influence. This is why many people find value in speaking with an independent agent who can offer a broader perspective on all available plans, not just a curated selection from a single marketplace.

What’s Changing with Medicare Advantage in 2025?

As you look at your Medicare options for 2025, it’s helpful to know what’s new and what’s different from last year. Medicare Advantage plans are always evolving, and this year is no exception. You might see headlines about lower average premiums, which sounds great on the surface. But the full story is a bit more complex. While many people are finding plans with $0 monthly premiums, other costs, like deductibles, are on the rise.

The good news is that there are also some exciting new benefits designed to make healthcare more affordable, especially when it comes to prescription drugs. A new cap on drug spending could save you a significant amount of money. At the same time, insurance companies are adjusting to changes in the healthcare landscape, which could affect the doctors and hospitals included in your plan’s network. Understanding these key shifts will help you look past the advertising and choose a plan that truly fits your health needs and your budget for the year ahead.

What to Expect for Premiums and Costs in 2025

When you start comparing plans, you might notice that the average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans has gone down. While that seems like a win, it’s important to look closer. This decrease is mostly because more people are enrolling in plans with a $0 monthly premium. However, an analysis from eHealth shows that the average deductible for these plans has increased dramatically, jumping from $132 to $315. This means that while you might not pay a monthly fee, you could face a much larger bill before your insurance starts to pay for services. It’s a classic trade-off: a lower upfront cost for potentially higher out-of-pocket expenses later.

Medicare Advantage Premium Trends

You’ll likely see many advertisements for $0 premium plans, and it’s true that the average premium has dropped. This is mainly because so many people are enrolling in these types of plans. But it’s important to look at the complete picture. While the upfront cost is low, the average deductible for these plans has more than doubled. A recent report shows the average deductible climbing from $132 to $315. This means that while your monthly bill might be zero, you could be responsible for a much larger amount out-of-pocket before your plan’s coverage begins. It’s a critical reminder to always evaluate the full potential cost of a plan—including the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum—not just the monthly premium.

Part D Prescription Drug Plan Premium Trends

While some costs are shifting, others are simply rising. For 2025, the average monthly premium for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans is expected to increase by 24%, according to data on prescription drug costs. That translates to the average premium jumping from about $29 to $36 per month. This increase affects both standalone Part D plans and the drug coverage included in many Medicare Advantage plans. If you rely on prescription medications, this is a key number to watch. This trend underscores why it’s so important to review your plan’s drug list and costs each year. A plan that was a great fit last year might not be the most cost-effective choice for the year ahead.

How Is Your Coverage Changing in 2025?

The shift toward higher deductibles highlights why you can’t judge a plan by its premium alone. A $0-premium plan can be very appealing, but if it comes with a high deductible and copayments, your total healthcare spending for the year could be much higher than you expect. Think of the premium as just one piece of the puzzle. To understand the full picture, you need to look at the plan’s deductible, copayments for doctor visits and specialists, and the maximum out-of-pocket limit. This total cost is what really matters for your budget and peace of mind.

What New Benefits Can You Get in 2025?

One of the most significant and positive changes for 2025 is a new protection for your wallet. For the first time, there will be a $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum on prescription drug costs for anyone with a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. This is a huge deal. It means that no matter how expensive your medications are, you will not have to pay more than $2,000 for them out-of-pocket for the entire year. This new spending cap provides a crucial financial safety net, especially if you take multiple or high-cost medications.

Will Your Doctor Still Be In-Network in 2025?

Every year, it’s wise to confirm your doctors are still in-network, and 2025 is no different. Health plans are currently dealing with several industry-wide pressures, including the unwinding of pandemic-era Medicaid policies and the need to keep premiums competitive. According to industry experts, these factors can lead insurance companies to make changes to their doctor and hospital networks. A plan that worked perfectly for you last year might not include your preferred hospital or specialist this year. Before you enroll, always use the plan’s provider directory to double-check that the doctors and facilities you rely on are still covered.

How Much Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cost in 2025?

When you start looking at Medicare Advantage plans, it’s easy to focus on the monthly premium, especially when so many are advertised as having a $0 cost. But the premium is only one piece of the puzzle. To truly understand what a plan might cost you over the year, you have to look at the full picture, including what you’ll pay when you actually visit a doctor or fill a prescription. Let’s break down the different costs you can expect with a Medicare Advantage plan in 2025.

Understanding Your Monthly Premium

At first glance, the news on premiums looks pretty good. The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans has gone down slightly. This is mostly because a large number of people are enrolling in plans with a $0 monthly premium. While that sounds fantastic, it’s important to remember that you still have to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium. A $0 premium plan doesn’t eliminate that cost. Think of the premium as your entry fee; it’s a fixed monthly cost, but it doesn’t cover the expenses you’ll have when you use your health care services.

Beyond the Premium: Other Plan Costs

This is where your out-of-pocket costs really come into play. While average premiums are low, other costs are on the rise. For example, a recent eHealth analysis shows the average deductible for Medicare Advantage plans jumped from $132 in 2024 to $315 in 2025. The deductible is what you must pay out-of-pocket before your plan starts to pay its share. After you meet your deductible, you’ll typically pay a copayment (a flat fee, like $20 for a doctor’s visit) or coinsurance (a percentage of the cost) for services. These are the costs that can add up quickly, especially if you need frequent care.

How the Out-of-Pocket Max Protects You

Every Medicare Advantage plan has a maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. This is a crucial safety net that caps the amount you’ll spend on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for covered services in a year. For 2025, there’s a significant and helpful change for prescription drug costs. Thanks to new rules, there is now a cap of $2,000 on what you’ll pay out-of-pocket for your medications during the year. This new limit provides much-needed protection and predictability for anyone who relies on prescription drugs, preventing costs from spiraling out of control.

Are There Any Hidden Costs?

It’s essential to connect the dots between all these different costs. A plan with a $0 premium might look appealing, but it could have a high deductible or more expensive copayments. You might end up paying much more throughout the year when you actually use your insurance. When comparing plans, calculate your total potential costs by considering the premium, the deductible, and how much you might pay for the specific services and prescriptions you expect to need. This will give you a much more realistic idea of which plan is truly the most affordable for your personal situation.

How to Compare eHealth Medicare Advantage Plans

Once you land on the eHealth website, you’ll find a set of tools designed to help you sort through the many Medicare Advantage plans available in your area. The key is to use these features systematically to narrow down your choices and find a plan that truly fits your health needs and budget. Let’s walk through the steps to make this process as simple as possible.

Start with the eHealth Plan Finder Tool

The first thing you’ll want to do is use eHealth’s plan finder tool. Think of it as your starting point. You’ll enter basic information like your zip code to see which plans are offered where you live. According to Healthline, eHealth’s online platform makes it easy to search for and compare Medicare Advantage plans. This tool does the initial heavy lifting by gathering all the potential options into one place. It saves you from having to visit multiple insurance company websites and helps you get a clear overview of the landscape in just a few clicks. It’s a straightforward way to begin your search without feeling overwhelmed.

eHealth Website vs. Medicare.gov

While eHealth is a helpful starting point, it’s important to know that it doesn’t show you the whole picture. As an insurance broker, eHealth only displays plans from the insurance companies it partners with, which means you won’t see every single Medicare plan available in your area. For a complete and unbiased list, the official government website, Medicare.gov, is the definitive source. To make sure you’re not overlooking a plan that might be a better fit for your health needs or budget, it’s a great idea to compare the options you find on eHealth with the full selection on Medicare.gov. This extra step gives you the confidence that you’ve seen all your choices.

Narrow Down Your Options with Filters

After the plan finder gives you a list of options, you’ll likely see more plans than you can realistically review one by one. This is where filters come in handy. You can narrow down the results based on what matters most to you, such as monthly premium costs, insurance carriers you trust, or whether a plan includes prescription drug coverage. Many users find eHealth’s filtering tools to be quite intuitive. In fact, Medical News Today notes that eHealth’s platform offers a better shopping experience due to its user-friendly interface when compared to other tools. By applying these filters, you can quickly zero in on a smaller, more manageable list of plans that meet your specific criteria.

Compare Your Top Plans Side-by-Side

Now that you have a shorter list, it’s time to look at the details. eHealth has a great feature that lets you select a few plans and see them in a side-by-side view. This format makes it incredibly easy to spot the differences between them. You can quickly see how they stack up on things like deductibles, copayments for doctor visits, and the maximum out-of-pocket costs. As Healthline points out, you can compare several plans side-by-side to see their costs and benefits clearly. This direct comparison is one of the most effective ways to weigh your options and make a confident, informed decision without having to toggle between different browser tabs or scribble notes.

What Do the Star Ratings Mean?

As you compare plans, you’ll notice a star rating next to each one. These aren’t customer reviews; they are official ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Plans are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the best. These ratings reflect the plan’s quality and performance in areas like customer service, member complaints, and how well it helps members stay healthy. According to NerdWallet, it’s wise to look at the CMS star ratings to get a sense of a plan’s overall quality. A plan with a high star rating is generally a reliable choice, so be sure to factor this into your decision.

Are Your Prescriptions Covered?

This step is crucial. A plan might have a low premium and great star rating, but if it doesn’t cover your medications, it could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. Use eHealth’s tools to enter your list of prescription drugs and check how each plan covers them. Pay attention to which “tier” your drugs fall into, as this determines your copayment. As eHealth itself advises, it’s important to consider whether the plan covers your specific prescription drugs alongside factors like premiums and deductibles. Taking the time to verify your drug coverage is one of the most important things you can do to choose the right plan.

How to Choose the Right Medicare Advantage Plan

With so many options available on eHealth, picking the right one can feel like a huge task. But it doesn’t have to be. The best plan for you is the one that fits your specific health needs, your budget, and your lifestyle. It’s a deeply personal decision, and what works for your neighbor or a friend might not be the right fit for you. By focusing on a few key areas, you can confidently compare your options and find a plan that gives you peace of mind. Think of this as your personal checklist for making a smart choice. We’ll walk through four essential steps to help you make a well-informed decision for your health care coverage. Taking the time to carefully check these details now can save you from unexpected costs and frustrating surprises down the road. This process is all about matching a plan’s features to your life, ensuring your coverage works for you when you need it most. It’s about moving past the advertisements and marketing to find the substance of a plan and see how it aligns with what you truly need for the year ahead.

Is Your Doctor In-Network? Here’s How to Check

One of the most important steps is to make sure the doctors and hospitals you already use are part of a plan’s network. A plan’s network is the group of doctors, specialists, and facilities that have agreed to accept its payment terms. Seeing an out-of-network provider can lead to much higher bills or mean the service isn’t covered at all. Before you get too far in your search, make a list of your must-have providers. When you compare plans on eHealth, you can filter by your doctors to see which plans include them. This simple check ensures you can keep the healthcare team you trust without facing surprise costs.

Weighing the Extra Perks and Benefits

Medicare Advantage plans are popular because they often include benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. These extras can include coverage for prescription drugs, routine dental and vision care, and even hearing aids. When you’re looking at plans, think about your own health. Do you take daily medications? Do you anticipate needing new glasses or dental work in the coming year? Some plans even offer perks like gym memberships or transportation to medical appointments. Make a list of the extra benefits that are most valuable to you and use it to find a plan that truly supports your overall well-being.

How to Estimate Your Total Yearly Costs

A plan with a $0 monthly premium can be tempting, but it doesn’t always tell the whole story of what you’ll pay. To understand the true cost, you need to look at all the numbers: the premium, deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. A plan with a low premium might have a higher deductible or require larger copayments when you see a doctor. It’s also crucial to check the plan’s maximum out-of-pocket limit. This is the most you would have to pay for covered services in a year, and it acts as a critical financial safety net. Considering all these potential costs will help you find a plan that genuinely fits your budget.

One Last Check: Reviewing the Plan Documents

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to look at the official plan documents. Documents like the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and Summary of Benefits provide the specific, legally binding details of the plan. While they can be long, these papers are your best resource for the fine print on everything from prescription drug costs to what you’ll pay for a specialist visit. You can find out exactly which dental, vision, or hearing services are included. Think of it as the final check to confirm the plan works the way you expect it to. You can usually find these documents on the plan details page on eHealth or the insurance company’s website.

Need Help? Where to Find Medicare Support

Trying to sort through dozens of Medicare Advantage plans can feel like a monumental task, but you don’t have to do it alone. Plenty of reliable resources are available to help you make sense of your options and feel confident in your choice. Whether you prefer talking one-on-one with an expert, using digital tools to compare plans on your own time, or getting advice from a government program, there’s a path forward for you.

The key is to find a source of information you trust. Some resources, like licensed agents, can provide personalized recommendations based on your unique situation. Others, like the official Medicare website, offer a complete and unbiased look at every plan in your area. Using a combination of these resources is often the best approach. It allows you to gather all the facts, ask specific questions, and ultimately select a plan that truly fits your health care needs and budget. Below are some of the best places to turn for guidance.

Talk to a Licensed Insurance Agent

If you feel overwhelmed by the details, talking to an expert can make all the difference. You can talk to a licensed insurance agent by phone or online chat if you need help. These professionals are trained to understand the fine print of Medicare plans. They can listen to your specific needs—like which doctors you want to keep or what prescriptions you take—and help you find plans that match. An agent can answer your questions in real-time and provide a level of personalized support that’s hard to get anywhere else. This is a great option if you want someone to walk through the process with you.

Get Help with eHealth’s Online Tools

For those who are comfortable doing their own research online, eHealth’s platform is a powerful resource. The website is designed to make your search easier. eHealth’s online platform makes it easy to search for and compare Medicare Advantage plans. You can use its filtering tools to narrow down your options based on what matters most to you, whether that’s a low monthly premium, specific extra benefits like dental coverage, or a high star rating. This allows you to compare plans side-by-side from the comfort of your home, making the process much more manageable and efficient.

Get Free, Unbiased Help from SHIP

If you’re looking for completely impartial advice, your local SHIP is an excellent place to start. For free, unbiased advice about Medicare, you can contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIPs are federally funded programs that exist in every state to provide free, local, and personalized counseling to people with Medicare. The counselors are highly trained volunteers who are not affiliated with any insurance company. They won’t try to sell you a plan; their only goal is to help you understand your rights and options so you can make an informed decision.

How to Use Medicare.gov as a Resource

When it comes to getting the official word on Medicare, the source is always best. To see all your Medicare plan options and get advice that is completely unbiased, you should also check the official Medicare plan comparison website. The government’s Plan Finder tool is the most comprehensive resource available, listing every single Medicare Advantage and Part D plan sold in your area. You can use it to get detailed information on costs, coverage, and quality ratings. It’s a good idea to use Medicare.gov to double-check the details of any plan you’re considering, even if you found it on a site like eHealth.

Ready to Enroll? Here Are the Next Steps

Once you’ve compared your options and found a plan that feels right, the next step is to enroll. This part of the process can feel like the final exam after a long semester of studying, but it’s more straightforward than you might think. The key is to be prepared and know what to expect. Having your information ready and understanding the timeline will make everything go much more smoothly. Let’s walk through the final steps together so you can feel confident as you complete your application and officially sign up for your new plan.

When Can You Enroll? Key Dates to Know

Timing is everything when it comes to Medicare. You can only enroll in or switch plans during specific times of the year. The most common window is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. It’s a good idea to review your plan annually, as coverage and costs can change. For example, the sign-up period for 2025 plans has seen some significant shifts due to new government rules and market pressures, which can impact your options. Missing a deadline could mean waiting another year to get the coverage you need, so be sure to mark your calendar and give yourself plenty of time to make a decision without feeling rushed.

What Paperwork Do You Need to Apply?

Before you sit down to apply, gathering a few key pieces of information will make the process a breeze. You’ll want to have your red, white, and blue Medicare card handy, as you’ll need your Medicare number and the dates your Part A and Part B coverage started. You should also have a list of your prescription drugs and preferred doctors and pharmacies nearby to confirm they are covered by the plan you’ve chosen. When you use a tool like eHealth’s website, you can search for Medicare Advantage plans in your area just by entering your ZIP code. This helps you see what’s available before you even start the official application.

How to Fill Out the eHealth Application

After you’ve done your research and picked a plan, you can typically apply right online. Websites like eHealth are designed to guide you through each step of the application form. You’ll fill in your personal details, your Medicare information, and answer a few questions. If you run into any trouble or just prefer to have someone walk you through it, you can always talk to a licensed insurance agent by phone or through an online chat. There’s no reason to feel stuck or overwhelmed; these professionals are there to help you cross the finish line and ensure your application is completed correctly.

What to Expect After You Enroll

Once you hit “submit” on your application, you’re almost done. The plan provider will review your application and send it to Medicare for approval. You’ll receive a confirmation letter or email letting you know your application has been received. After that, look for a welcome packet and your new member ID card in the mail. It’s important to know that when you enroll through a major online marketplace, you’re in good hands. For instance, eHealth is a legitimate company that is licensed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to sell Medicare plans. They are held to strict standards, so you can feel secure in the choice you’ve made.

Getting the Most Out of the eHealth Website

eHealth can be a helpful starting point, but like any online tool, it works best when you know how to use it effectively. A few simple tips can make the process smoother and help you feel more confident in the information you find. Here’s how to get the most out of the website and what to do if you need more options.

How to Find Specific Plan Details

The best way to begin is by entering your ZIP code to see the Medicare Advantage plans available in your area. Once you have the initial list, you can use the filters to narrow your choices. This is where you can really start to personalize your search. You can sort plans by type, like HMO or PPO, or look for plans from specific insurance companies. It’s also helpful to filter by monthly premium costs and the specific benefits you need, such as dental or vision coverage. Taking a few moments to apply these filters will give you a much more manageable list to review.

Where to Find Help if You Get Stuck

It’s completely normal to have questions as you compare plans. If you feel stuck or just want to talk through your options, eHealth provides ways to connect with a person. You can find options to speak with a licensed insurance agent either over the phone or through an online chat feature directly on their website. These agents can answer questions about specific plans or help you with the application process if you find a plan you’re interested in. Remember, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own, and using these support features can clear up a lot of confusion.

What to Do if the Website Isn’t Working

First, it’s important to know that using eHealth’s platform is free for you. They are paid a commission by insurance companies when someone enrolls in a plan through their site. If you run into a technical glitch, like a page that won’t load, try simple steps like refreshing the page or clearing your browser’s cache. Sometimes, just trying again in a few minutes can solve the problem. Because their service is free, their support is focused on helping you enroll. For broader, unbiased advice, you may want to look at other resources.

Alternative Ways to Compare Medicare Plans

You are not limited to using just one website for your research. While eHealth is one tool, the official government website, Medicare.gov, is another excellent resource. It features a Medicare Plan Finder tool that provides comprehensive and unbiased information on all available plans in your area. Using the official site can give you peace of mind that you are seeing every option. Of course, another path is to work directly with an independent broker who can offer personalized guidance and help you compare plans from various insurance carriers without being limited to a single platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is using eHealth the same as using the official Medicare.gov website? Think of eHealth as a large online storefront that partners with many different insurance companies to show you their plans. It’s a private company and a licensed broker. The official Medicare.gov website, on the other hand, is the government source that lists every single Medicare plan available in your area, not just those from partners. Both are helpful tools, but Medicare.gov provides the most complete and unbiased picture of all your options.

Why are so many plans advertised with a $0 premium? Is there a catch? A $0 premium plan can be a great option, but it’s important to understand the trade-off. While you won’t pay a monthly fee to the insurance company for the plan itself, you could face higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care, such as a larger annual deductible or more expensive copayments for doctor visits. The “catch” is that you have to look beyond the monthly premium and calculate the total potential cost to see if it truly fits your budget.

What’s the most important thing to double-check before I enroll in a plan? If you only check two things, make them these: your doctors and your drugs. Before you commit to any plan, use its provider directory to confirm that your must-have doctors, specialists, and hospitals are in the network. Next, use the plan’s drug formulary tool to ensure your specific prescription medications are covered and to see what your copayment will be. A plan is only as good as its ability to cover the care you actually use.

If I sign up for a plan through eHealth, do I have to pay them for their service? No, you do not pay anything to eHealth for using their website or for help from one of their agents. Their service is completely free for you to use. They work as a broker, which means they receive a commission from the insurance company when you enroll in a plan through their platform. This allows you to compare multiple plans in one place without any cost or obligation.

What is the new $2,000 cap on drug costs, and how does it work? This is one of the most helpful changes for 2025. For the first time, there is a firm annual limit on what you will pay out-of-pocket for your prescription drugs. Once your spending on covered medications reaches $2,000 for the year, you are done paying for them until the next year begins. This cap applies to anyone with a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan and provides a powerful financial safety net, especially if you take expensive medications.