Medicare questions, answered in plain English.

No. Our help is completely free to you — we're paid by the insurance carriers, never by you, and that never changes your premium.

Most people can enroll in Medicare during the seven-month period around their 65th birthday. It begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after it. If you have health coverage through your or your spouse’s current job, you may be able to enroll later without a penalty.

Medicare costs depend on the coverage you choose and the care you use. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A, but Part B has a monthly premium. You may also pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Costs for Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medicare Supplement plans vary.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, and for some younger people with certain disabilities or conditions. Most people qualify at 65, and if you've paid Medicare taxes long enough, Part A is usually premium-free.

Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and includes Parts A and B. You can see any provider in the country who accepts Medicare, but you may need separate Part D and Medicare Supplement plans for added coverage. Medicare Advantage is offered by Medicare-approved insurance companies and provides your Part A and B benefits through one plan. These plans often include drug coverage and extra benefits but may use provider networks and other plan rules. With either choice, you must continue paying your Part B premium.

Each part of Medicare covers different health care needs. Part A helps pay for hospital stays, hospice care, and some skilled nursing and home health care. Part B helps pay for doctor visits, outpatient care, medical equipment, and preventive care. Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, combines Parts A and B in one plan and often includes drug coverage. Part D helps pay for prescription drugs. The parts you choose make up your Medicare coverage.

Yes, Medicare Part D has a yearly out-of-pocket limit for covered prescription drugs. Once you reach that limit, you pay nothing for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year. Plan premiums and drugs that are not covered do not count toward the limit. The limit may change each year.

Not always. If you have qualifying coverage through a current employer, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty and enroll later through a Special Enrollment Period. The rules depend on your specific coverage, so it’s worth confirming.

Original Medicare does not cover most routine dental care, eye exams for glasses, dentures, hearing aids, or long-term care. It also does not cover most prescription drugs you take at home. Some of these can be added through other coverage, so it's worth reviewing your options.

Medicare is based mainly on age or disability, while Medicaid is based on income and resources. Some people qualify for both, which can lower their costs. We can help you understand where you fit.

Yes — prescription coverage comes through a stand-alone Part D plan added to Original Medicare, or built into many Medicare Advantage plans. Which route fits depends on your medications and situation.

The Medicare Part D coverage gap, also called the “donut hole,” no longer exists. You pay your plan’s deductible and your share of covered drug costs until you reach the yearly out-of-pocket limit. After that, you pay nothing for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.

The coverage gap was eliminated in 2025 and replaced by an annual out-of-pocket cap.

Each year from October 15 to December 7, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, with changes taking effect January 1. It’s a good time to review whether your current plan still fits.

Yes — during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, you can switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare with a drug plan. You can make one change during this window.

You may pay a late penalty if you miss your enrollment period and do not have other approved coverage. The Part A penalty only applies if you must pay for Part A, and it lasts for a set time. The Part B penalty grows for each full year you wait and usually lasts as long as you have Part B. The Part D penalty is based on how many months you went without approved drug coverage and usually lasts as long as you have Part D.

If you already have a Medicare plan, review it each year to make sure it still fits your needs. Check your doctors, medications, benefits, and costs. If your needs or plan have changed, you may be able to choose a different plan during an enrollment period.

A Medigap plan works alongside Original Medicare to help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs it leaves behind, like coinsurance and deductibles. These plans are standardized, so the same lettered plan offers the same core benefits across carriers.

Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, usually has a higher monthly premium but helps make your medical costs more predictable. It works with Original Medicare, gives you access to any provider who accepts Medicare, and usually requires a separate Part D plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans have a low or no additional monthly plan premium and often include drug coverage and extra benefits. However, you pay copays or coinsurance as you receive care and may need to use a provider network. With either choice, you must continue paying your Part B premium.

Medicare Part D helps cover prescription drug costs. It is offered by insurance companies approved by Medicare. You can add a stand-alone Part D plan to Original Medicare. You can also get drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D. Each plan covers a different list of drugs, so make sure the plan covers your medications.

You may be able to keep your current doctors after enrolling in Medicare. Original Medicare lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare, and a Medicare Supplement plan does not change that access. Medicare Advantage plans use provider networks, so make sure your doctors are included before choosing a plan.

Under Original Medicare, you usually pay 20% of the approved cost for Part B services after meeting the yearly deductible. Medicare pays the other 80%. Original Medicare does not place a yearly limit on these costs, but a Medicare Supplement plan may help pay your share, while Medicare Advantage plans use their own copays and coinsurance and have a yearly limit.

It's a newer option that lets you spread your out-of-pocket Part D drug costs into capped monthly payments across the year, instead of paying it all at the pharmacy. It doesn't lower your total cost, but it can make budgeting easier.

Yes, several programs may help lower your Medicare costs if you have a limited income. Medicare Savings Programs may help pay premiums and other costs for Parts A and B. Extra Help can lower your Part D drug costs, and Medicaid may provide added support. Eligibility rules vary by state and program.

Many veterans choose to enroll in Medicare so they have more places to get care, since VA coverage works at VA facilities. The two can complement each other, and the right move depends on your situation — a good thing to talk through.

Turning 65 does not require you to stop using or adding money to your HSA. You must stop making contributions when your Medicare coverage begins. The money already in your HSA remains yours and can still be used for qualified health care costs. If you enroll in Medicare after 65, Part A may start up to six months earlier, which can affect when you should stop contributing.

Moving can affect your Medicare coverage based on the type you have. Original Medicare can be used with any provider in the country who accepts Medicare. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you can usually keep it, but your premium may change. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans serve set areas. If you move outside your plan’s area, you can choose new coverage during a Special Enrollment Period.

Yes — you may qualify earlier if you’ve received Social Security disability benefits for a period of time, or if you have certain conditions like ESRD or ALS. The enrollment timing differs, so reach out if this is you.

Never. Martin's whole approach is to explain your options and let you decide — many calls end with "now I finally understand it."

No. Insurance Advisors, Inc. is a private, independent, licensed brokerage. For all of your options, you can also contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.

You do not pay us a fee for our help. If you enroll in a Medicare plan through us, the insurance company may pay us a commission. This payment does not raise your plan premium or add a fee to your bill.

Just a list of your current doctors and prescriptions, and any coverage you already have. That’s plenty for us to get started — no paperwork or commitment needed.