Medicare Guidance
Now Serving Idaho
Clear, unhurried Medicare guidance for Idaho residents from Eric Jenkins, who is licensed in Idaho and has advised Medicare clients since 2009. Appointments by phone or video, at no cost to you.
- Idaho-Licensed Agent Eric Jenkins
- No Cost to You
- No Pressure
- Phone & Video Appointments
- Medicare Since 2009
Medicare help in Idaho: the short answer
- Who helps you
- Idaho clients work with Eric Jenkins, who is licensed in Idaho: call or text (702) 249-0514. Jordan Jenkins is licensed in Utah and Wyoming only.
- Same federal calendar
- Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 – December 7 in every state, with coverage starting January 1. People already in a Medicare Advantage plan get one change between January 1 and March 31.
- Idaho's Medigap birthday rule
- If you already have a Medigap policy, you get 63 days starting on your birthday each year to switch to similar or lesser coverage, with the same or a different company, and no health questions.
- On Medicare before 65
- Idaho requires Medigap policies to be offered to people under 65 during their Initial Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue period. Insurers can charge up to 150% of the age-65 premium.
- Free state counseling
- SHIBA, run by the Idaho Department of Insurance, gives free, unbiased Medicare counseling at 1‑800‑247‑4422. It doesn't sell insurance.
- Under 65
- Idaho runs its own marketplace, Your Health Idaho. Open enrollment for 2027 plans runs October 15 – December 15, 2026, earlier than HealthCare.gov's deadline.
Official sources:Medicare.gov: joining a planIdaho DOI (SHIBA): Medicare supplement rule changesIdaho DOI (SHIBA): Medicare under 65Idaho SHIBA: free Medicare counselingYour Health Idaho
Last reviewedWho Helps You in Idaho
Your Idaho-Licensed Agent: Eric Jenkins
Jordan Jenkins, who runs this site, is licensed in Wyoming and Utah. Idaho residents work with Eric Jenkins, who is licensed in Idaho, so every Idaho conversation, comparison and enrollment is handled by someone licensed in your state.
Eric began advising Medicare clients in 2009 and lives in Mapleton, Utah. Idaho appointments are by phone or video. Expect a plain-English conversation about how Medicare works, which enrollment windows apply to you, and how to weigh the choices ahead. It's never a sales pitch, and talking with Eric costs you nothing.
What's Different in Idaho
Three Idaho Rules Worth Knowing
Medicare itself is federal, so the enrollment dates match every other state. Idaho's own rules for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies are where the state differs:
The 63-day birthday rule
If you already have a Medigap policy, you get 63 days each year, starting on your birthday, to switch to a policy with similar or lesser coverage, with your company or a new one, and no health questions. In effect since March 1, 2022.
How the birthday rule worksMedigap before 65
On Medicare because of a disability? Idaho requires Medigap policies to be offered to people under 65 during their Initial Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue period. Insurers can charge up to 150% of the age-65 premium.
Medigap under 65 in IdahoNo age-based pricing on new policies
Medigap policies sold in Idaho after February 28, 2022 are community-rated: the company charges the same premium for the same plan regardless of age. Older policies can keep their original pricing.
More Idaho questionsSoutheast Idaho
Where Southeast Idaho Gets Its Care
Hospital care in Southeast Idaho centers on Idaho Falls and Pocatello: Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and Idaho Falls Community Hospital in Idaho Falls, and Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. Community hospitals serve the outlying valleys, including Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier, and Franklin County Medical Center in Preston.
Care here also crosses state lines. Franklin County sits just north of Utah's Cache Valley, and Wyoming's Star Valley residents drive the other way, to Idaho Falls and Pocatello. That makes one question more important than any premium: how does a plan treat the doctors and hospitals you actually use, including any across the border? Original Medicare with a Medigap policy works with any provider in the country that takes Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans use networks, and how far those reach differs from plan to plan.
Find Your Community
Idaho Cities We Serve
Eastern Idaho & the Wyoming Border
Idaho Falls, Pocatello and the towns along the Wyoming line, where care often crosses the border.
Treasure Valley & Magic Valley
Boise, Meridian, Nampa and Twin Falls, built around the St. Luke's and Saint Alphonsus health systems.
Under 65
Your Health Idaho, Medicaid and Help Paying
Your Health Idaho
Idaho runs its own marketplace instead of HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs October 15 – December 15, 2026, a month earlier than HealthCare.gov. Income-based savings are only available through Your Health Idaho: 1-855-944-3246.
Idaho Medicaid
Medicaid expansion covers adults 19–64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, and you can apply any time of year. Idaho Health and Welfare has announced work-reporting requirements for most expansion adults starting January 1, 2027.
Help paying for Medicare
Medicare Savings Programs, run through Idaho Health and Welfare, can help pay Medicare premiums for people with limited income and resources. Extra Help from Social Security lowers Part D drug costs.
Help at No Cost
Idaho Medicare Resources
Alongside Eric's guidance, these official resources serve every Idahoan:
SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors)
Idaho's free, unbiased Medicare counseling program, run by the Idaho Department of Insurance: 1-800-247-4422. SHIBA doesn't sell insurance.
Medicare.gov
The official U.S. government Medicare site, with the plan finder and 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Your Health Idaho
Idaho's health insurance marketplace for people under 65: 1-855-944-3246.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs. Apply at idalink.idaho.gov or 1-877-456-1233.
Idaho Department of Insurance
The state regulator for insurance companies and agents in Idaho.
In Their Words
What clients say about Eric
"Eric is very helpful and always available to answer my questions. Highly recommend him."
Sandy M.
Google review
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Talk With Eric About Medicare in Idaho
No pressure and no cost to you. Eric Jenkins is licensed in Idaho and meets by phone or video.