Don't miss your window! You have a 7-month window around your 65th birthday to enroll. Missing it can cost you more — permanently.
Where to Start
Pick a Topic
Tap any card to explore.
The Big Picture
What Is Medicare?
🏠
Think of it like a house
Medicare is the health insurance "house" the government built for you after a lifetime of work. Some rooms (parts) come free, some have a monthly fee, and you can add extras like dental or drug coverage.
💼
You already paid for it!
Every paycheck you ever earned had Medicare taxes taken out. After 10 years of work, your hospital coverage (Part A) is completely free. Most Americans qualify.
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Full Registration
Ready to get personalized help?
Create your free RxPlanAdvisor account and we'll help you find the right Medicare plan for your situation.
Have Questions?
Our licensed Medicare advisors are available 7 days a week to help — at no cost to you.
💡 After your deductible, Medicare pays 80% and you pay 20%. A Medigap plan can cover that 20%.
C
Part C — Advantage
📦 All-in-one bundle plan
$0–$100/mo
▼
A private insurance plan that replaces Original Medicare. It bundles Parts A + B and often adds dental, vision, and hearing — things Original Medicare doesn't cover.
✅ Often included
📋 Everything in Parts A & B
🦷 Dental care (cleanings, X-rays)
👁️ Vision (eye exams, glasses)
👂 Hearing aids
💊 Prescription drugs (usually)
🏋️ Fitness memberships (some plans)
⚠️ Trade-off: You must use doctors in the plan's network. Always check your doctors are in-network before enrolling.
D
Part D — Prescriptions
💊 Help with your medications
~$46/mo avg
▼
A separate plan that helps cover your prescription medications. Original Medicare does NOT include drug coverage — so you'll almost certainly need this.
✅ What's covered
💊 Generic drugs
💊 Brand-name drugs
💉 Specialty & high-cost medications
💉 Most vaccines
💡 Each plan has a "formulary" — the list of covered drugs. Always check your medications are listed before choosing a plan.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Feature
Original (A+B)
Advantage (C)
Who runs it?
U.S. Government
Private insurer
Use any doctor?
✓ Yes
⚠ In-network only
Drugs included?
✗ Add Part D
✓ Usually
Dental/Vision?
✗ No
✓ Often
Out-of-pocket max?
✗ None
✓ Yes
Add Medigap?
✓ Yes
✗ No
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Enrollment Timing
When Should I Sign Up?
Timing is everything. Miss your window and you pay more — permanently.
⚠️
Late penalty: Miss your window and your Part B premium increases 10% permanently for every 12 months you delayed.
📅
3 months BEFORE you turn 65
Your Window Opens
Best time to sign up — coverage starts the month you turn 65.
🎂
Your 65th birthday month
You're Officially Eligible!
Sign up now and coverage starts the 1st of the following month.
⚠️
Up to 3 months AFTER your birthday month
Last Chance — No Penalty
You can still enroll, but coverage start date is delayed.
⚠️ After this, the 10% permanent penalty kicks in!
💼
Exception: Still working?
You May Be Able to Wait
If your employer has 20+ employees, delay penalty-free. Sign up within 8 months of losing that coverage.
🗓️
Every year: Oct 15 – Dec 7
Annual Open Enrollment
Switch plans or change your drug coverage for the coming year.
📝
How to Sign Up — 3 Easy Ways
🌐
Online — ssa.gov (fastest, available 24/7)
📞
By phone — Call 1-800-772-1213
🏢
In person — Your local Social Security office
Already getting Social Security benefits? You'll be automatically enrolled in Parts A & B — watch for your card in the mail about 3 months before your birthday! 🎉
2025 Costs
What Will Medicare Cost Me?
The real numbers — explained simply.
🏥
Part A Premium
$0
per month
Free if you worked 10+ years
🩺
Part B Premium
$185
per month
Higher if income over $106K/yr
💊
Part D Average
$46
per month avg
Varies by plan & medications
🏨
Hospital Deductible
$1,676
per benefit period
You pay this before Part A pays
📋
Part B Deductible
$257
per year
Then 80/20 split applies
🛡️
Medigap Supplement
$100–300
per month est.
Covers the 20% gap
🛡️
What is Medigap?
Original Medicare pays 80% of your bills. You pay the other 20% — which could be thousands if you're seriously ill. Medigap is a private plan that covers that 20% gap, giving you more predictable costs.
🤝
Low income? Help is available!
✅
Extra Help — dramatically reduces your drug costs
✅
Medicare Savings Programs — can pay your Part B premium
✅
Medicaid — may cover remaining costs
Plain English Answers
Your Questions Answered
Tap any question to read the answer.
Plain-English Dictionary
Medicare Words Explained
💳
Premium
The monthly fee you pay just to have the coverage — like a subscription, whether you use it or not.
📉
Deductible
The amount you pay first before Medicare starts helping. Like your share of the first bills of the year.
🏷️
Copay
A flat fee you pay each visit — like $20 every time you see a doctor. Medicare covers the rest.
📊
Coinsurance
A percentage you pay — like "you pay 20%, Medicare pays 80%." Not a flat fee, but a share.
🔒
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
The most you'll EVER pay in a year. After hitting this limit, your plan covers 100%.
📋
Formulary
The list of drugs your Part D plan covers. Always verify your medications are on this list first.
🌐
In-Network
Doctors and hospitals that agreed to work with your plan at lower rates. Out-of-network costs more.
Still Have Questions?
Call Medicare directly — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's free.