Medicare · For people 65+ and those turning 65
Medicare, finally explained in plain language
Original Medicare, Advantage, Medigap, Part D, enrollment windows, penalties — the system is genuinely confusing, and the wrong choice is expensive. I'll walk you through it step by step and enroll you in a plan that fits your doctors, medications and budget. Free of charge.
What's included
- Initial Medicare enrollment (turning 65)
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) plan reviews
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans
- Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
- Medicare plan comparison across carriers
- Doctor & hospital network verification
- Prescription formulary review
- Switching Medicare plans
- Guidance for first-time beneficiaries
- Help for people moving to Texas
- Late-enrollment penalty avoidance
Who this is for
- People turning 65 (you can enroll from 3 months before your birthday month)
- Current Medicare beneficiaries who want a better plan
- People retiring and losing employer coverage
- People moving to Texas — plans differ by state and county
- People working past 65 who aren't sure when to switch
The parts of Medicare — in one minute
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and some home health care. For most people it's premium-free if you've worked about 10 years (40 quarters) in the U.S. Enrollment goes through Social Security — I help you with it.
Part B (Medical Insurance)
covers doctors, outpatient care, lab tests, diagnostics and preventive care. Part B has a monthly premium. Also enrolled through Social Security — and also something I walk clients through.
Part C (Medicare Advantage)
an alternative to Original Medicare sold by private insurance companies. It bundles Parts A and B, usually includes Part D drug coverage, and often adds dental, vision and hearing benefits. Premiums are low (sometimes $0), but networks are narrower and costs are less predictable.
Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)
covers prescription medications. It can be a standalone plan alongside Original Medicare, or come built into a Medicare Advantage plan. Even if you take no medications today, skipping Part D can trigger a lifelong late-enrollment penalty later.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
not a part of Medicare itself, but private coverage that pairs with Original Medicare and picks up what Parts A and B leave behind: deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Maximum freedom of choice — any doctor in the country that accepts Medicare.
Advantage or Original Medicare + Medigap?
This is the single biggest Medicare decision, and there's no universal answer. Medicare Advantage usually costs less per month and bundles extras like dental and vision — but you're tied to a provider network, and your real costs show up as copays and coinsurance when you actually need care. Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D costs more per month but gives you predictable expenses and free choice of doctors nationwide.
One thing many people learn too late: switching from Advantage to Medigap later is not always guaranteed — outside certain windows it can require medical underwriting. That's why this choice deserves a careful conversation up front, not a rushed click during open enrollment.
I'll lay out both paths with real numbers for your county, your doctors and your prescription list — and you'll make the call with full information.
When can you enroll?
Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months: the 3 months before your 65th-birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. Missing it can mean lifelong penalties on Part B and Part D premiums.
Still working at 65 with employer coverage? You may be able to delay without penalty — but the rules depend on the size of your employer, and getting this wrong is costly. This is one of the most common questions I help clients untangle.
Already on Medicare? The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) is when you can switch plans. Plans change their networks, formularies and prices every single year — an annual review with your broker is free and routinely saves real money.
Carriers I work with
As an independent broker I hold contracts with these insurance companies — and compare their plans side by side for you.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
I'm turning 65 soon. What do I actually need to do?
Three months before your birthday month, we schedule a call. We enroll you in Parts A and B through Social Security, then compare Advantage vs. Medigap + Part D options for your county based on your doctors and medications. The whole process usually takes about an hour of your time.
Will my doctor accept the plan?
I verify this before enrollment — it's especially critical for Medicare Advantage, which uses provider networks. With Original Medicare + Medigap you can see any doctor in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
A $0-premium Advantage plan — what's the catch?
$0 premium doesn't mean $0 care. You pay through copays, coinsurance and deductibles when you use services, up to the plan's out-of-pocket maximum. I'll show you the realistic annual cost for how you actually use healthcare — not just the monthly sticker price.
I don't take any medications. Why would I need Part D?
Because of the late-enrollment penalty: if you go 63+ days without creditable drug coverage and want Part D later, you pay a penalty for life. A basic Part D plan now is cheap insurance against that.
Why do I need Medigap if I have Parts A and B?
Original Medicare leaves gaps — deductibles, 20% coinsurance with no cap. Medigap covers those gaps and makes your costs predictable. It's the choice of people who want maximum freedom and minimum surprises.
What will all this actually cost me per year?
The right question! I always calculate the full picture: premiums + deductibles + copays + your specific medications. The cheapest premium is often not the cheapest plan for you — that's the whole point of a real comparison.
Turning 65 — or just tired of guessing?
Bring me your list of doctors and medications. I'll bring you a clear comparison for your county — with the real yearly math, in English or Russian.
Free consultation
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