Medicare is made up of several moving parts — Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, and a whole alphabet of supplement plans — and the rules about when and how you enroll are strict and unforgiving. Get it right, and you’ll have coverage that fits your health and your budget for years to come. Get it wrong, or miss a deadline, and you could face permanent penalties or gaps in coverage. We’re here to make sure it’s the former.
Turning 65 soon, or already missed a deadline? Every enrollment window has a hard stop. The sooner we talk, the more options you’ll have — and the less likely you are to pay a penalty that follows you for life.
The Three Ways to Get Your Medicare Coverage
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
An all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare through a private carrier — often $0 premium, with extra benefits like dental and vision built in.
Learn About Medicare AdvantageMedicare Supplement (Medigap)
Works alongside Original Medicare to cover the costs it leaves behind — predictable costs, and any doctor who accepts Medicare, nationwide.
Learn About Medicare SupplementPrescription Drug Plans (Part D)
Standalone or bundled drug coverage that helps control your medication costs and helps you avoid a lifetime late-enrollment penalty.
Learn About Part DThe Parts of Medicare, In Plain English
| Part | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Part A | Hospital insurance — inpatient care, skilled nursing, hospice, some home health care. Usually premium-free if you or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough. |
| Part B | Medical insurance — doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, durable medical equipment. Has a monthly premium. |
| Part C | Medicare Advantage — an alternative way to receive Parts A and B (and usually D) through a private insurance company. |
| Part D | Prescription drug coverage, offered by private carriers either standalone or bundled into a Medicare Advantage plan. |
Enrollment Periods to Know
This is where most costly mistakes happen. Missing any of these windows can mean waiting months for another chance — or paying a penalty for the rest of your life.
| Period | When | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | 7 months: 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday | Enroll in Medicare for the first time |
| Annual Election Period (AEP) | October 15 – December 7 every year | Switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans for the following year |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | January 1 – March 31 every year | Make one plan change if you’re already in Medicare Advantage |
| Medigap Open Enrollment | 6 months starting the month you’re 65+ and enrolled in Part B | Buy any Medigap plan without medical underwriting |
| Special Enrollment Period (SEP) | Triggered by qualifying life events (job loss, moving, losing other coverage) | Enroll or switch outside normal windows |
Don’t Forget the Gaps Medicare Leaves Behind
Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything. Routine dental, vision, and hearing care, cash for hospital stays, and help with unexpected medical bills all fall outside Medicare’s four parts. Most of our Medicare clients pair their coverage with one or more of these ancillary plans:
- ✓ Dental, Vision & Hearing coverage
- ✓ Hospital Indemnity plans (cash for each hospital day)
- ✓ Critical Illness coverage (lump-sum for cancer, heart attack, stroke)
Frequently Asked Medicare Questions
You have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, but waiting until the last minute is risky — coverage can be delayed and you leave yourself little room for questions or corrections. We recommend starting the conversation about 3 months before your 65th birthday.
It depends on the size of your employer and how your current coverage coordinates with Medicare. This is one of the most common — and most costly — areas of confusion. Let’s review your specific situation before you make a decision.
Yes — Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can be reviewed and changed every Annual Election Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7). We recommend an annual check-up even if you’re happy with your current plan, since benefits and costs can change year to year.