Medicare 101
Your roadmap to understanding Medicare
The parts, the deadlines, and the choices — explained in plain English. Take your time, jot down questions, and bring them to a free call whenever you're ready.
The ABCs (and D) of Medicare
Medicare comes in parts. Here's what each one does:
Hospital insurance
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health care. Most people pay no premium for Part A.
Medical insurance
Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment. Part B has a monthly premium.
Medicare Advantage
An all-in-one alternative from private carriers that bundles Parts A & B — and usually Part D — often with extras like dental and vision.
Prescription drugs
Helps cover the cost of your medications. Offered by private carriers; each plan has its own list of covered drugs.
Medicare Supplement
Works alongside Original Medicare to help pay the gaps it leaves behind — like that 20% coinsurance.
The gap most people miss
Beware the 20% coinsurance
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) is an 80/20 plan: it covers about 80% of your approved medical costs, and you're responsible for the other 20% — with no yearly cap. On a big medical event, that exposure can be significant. The two paths below are how most people protect themselves from it.
Your enrollment periods
Timing matters — missing a window can mean lifelong penalties. The big ones:
Initial Enrollment Period
The 7 months around your 65th birthday — the 3 months before, your birthday month, and the 3 months after.
Annual Enrollment Period
October 15 – December 7 each year. Compare and switch plans; changes start January 1.
Open Enrollment Period
January 1 – March 31. If you’re on Medicare Advantage, you get one chance to change plans.
Special Enrollment Period
A qualifying life event (like moving or losing other coverage) can open a window to change plans outside the usual dates.
Your two main paths
Almost everyone manages that 20% gap one of two ways. Neither is "best" for everyone — the right fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget.
Option 1 — Medigap + Part D
Original Medicare, plus a supplement and a drug plan.
What's good
- See any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, nationwide
- Predictable costs and fewer surprise bills
- No networks to worry about
Worth weighing
- A monthly premium for the supplement
- Drug coverage (Part D) is a separate plan
- Best to enroll when you first qualify, while you can’t be turned down
Option 2 — Medicare Advantage
An all-in-one plan (Part C), usually with drug coverage.
What's good
- Often low or $0 monthly premium
- Frequently includes dental, vision, hearing, and fitness
- One card, one plan for most needs
Worth weighing
- Care works through the plan’s network
- Costs come as copays up to a yearly out-of-pocket max
- Benefits can change each year — worth an annual review
Want the side-by-side for your situation? Compare the specific plan types, or just ask Martin.
Got questions?
We've answered the most common Medicare questions — enrollment timing, plan types, costs, and more — in plain English.
Still have questions? That's normal.
No one should have to figure Medicare out alone. A free, no-pressure call sorts it out.