Medicare choices,
made clearer.

Medicare, explained one step at a time.

Medicare is federal health insurance primarily for people age 65 and older, and for some younger people with qualifying disabilities or conditions. Understanding the building blocks can make your next decision feel more manageable.

What do Parts A, B, C and D mean?

• Part A — hospital insurance: Helps cover inpatient hospital care, certain skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Coverage conditions and cost sharing apply.
• Part B — medical insurance: Helps cover doctor visits, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and many preventive services.
• Part C — Medicare Advantage: A Medicare-approved private plan that provides your Part A and Part B benefits, usually with Part D drug coverage included.
• Part D — prescription drug coverage: Helps cover prescription medications. Plans have their own covered-drug lists, pharmacy arrangements, and costs.

Learn more about the parts of Medicare at Medicare.gov.

Two main ways to receive your benefits

Original Medicare includes Parts A and B. You can generally see providers throughout the U.S. who accept Medicare. You can add a separate Part D plan and may be able to buy a Medigap policy to help with some out-of-pocket costs. Original Medicare by itself has no yearly limit on what you pay for covered Part A and Part B services.

Medicare Advantage provides your benefits through a private plan. Networks, referrals, and prior authorization rules may apply. Plans have a yearly limit on out-of-pocket spending for covered Part A and Part B services; drug costs are separate. Extra benefits vary. You generally still pay your Part B premium, even when a plan advertises a $0 plan premium.

Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage before choosing.

Where does Medicare Supplement insurance fit?

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, works with Original Medicare to help pay certain deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. It does not work with Medicare Advantage. New Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage.

Your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally lasts six months, starting when you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. After that, availability and pricing may depend on your health, state rules, or other protections. Review Medigap basics and enrollment protections.

When can you enroll or make changes?

• First enrolling around age 65: Your Initial Enrollment Period generally spans seven months—three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after. Some people qualify earlier. Check Medicare sign-up and coverage start dates.
• Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15–December 7: Review and change Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes generally begin January 1. This is different from first enrolling in Parts A and B.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, January 1–March 31: People already in Medicare Advantage can generally make one switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare and join a separate drug plan.
• Special Enrollment Periods: Qualifying events, such as a move or certain coverage changes, may create another opportunity. Rules and deadlines depend on the situation.

Still working or covered through a spouse’s employer? Confirm your Part B timing before delaying enrollment. COBRA and retiree coverage do not provide the same enrollment protections as coverage based on current employment. See plan enrollment periods and Medicare’s sign-up guidance.

What should you compare before choosing?

Start with your doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, preferred pharmacies, and travel needs. Then compare premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, coverage rules, and potential yearly costs. A low premium is only one part of the picture.

Bring your questions and a list of your providers and medications to a conversation with Skye. Our Medicare conversation checklist can help you prepare. Please do not send Medicare numbers or medical records through a general contact form.

General educational information, reviewed October 23, 2026 using Medicare.gov. Your eligibility, enrollment rights, and coverage depend on your circumstances and the applicable plan rules.