Medicare
Medicare made simple — Original, Advantage, Supplement & Part D.
Turning 65, retiring, or losing employer coverage? We'll walk you through every part of Medicare so you can choose with confidence.
- Eligibility
- Age 65+ or qualifying disability
- Initial sign-up
- 7 months around your 65th birthday
- Annual switch window
- Oct 15 – Dec 7 every year
- Broker cost to you
- $0 — carriers pay the broker
Overview
Medicare is the federal health program for people 65 and older, and for some younger people with qualifying disabilities. It has four parts: Part A (hospital), Part B (medical), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drugs).
Most people pair Original Medicare (A & B) with either a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plus a standalone Part D plan, or with a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles everything together. The right choice depends on your doctors, prescriptions, travel habits, and budget.
As an independent broker, Kyle compares plans from top-rated carriers side-by-side and explains the trade-offs in plain English — no jargon, no sales pitch.
A closer look at medicare
What Medicare actually is
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65+ and for certain younger people with disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease. It is not a single plan — it's a system of parts (A, B, C, D) you combine to build your coverage.
Why the choice matters
Medicare gives each member flexibility and that comes with choices. Taking the time to match a plan to your lifestyle means you'll head into the year feeling confident in your coverage instead of guessing. That's why it pays to compare options side-by-side with someone who knows the details.
Your options
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
The federal baseline. We help you understand what's covered, what isn't, and how to fill the gaps.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Pairs with Original Medicare to cover out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. Use any doctor that accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
All-in-one plans from private carriers that combine Parts A, B, and D of Medicare. Some plans include dental, vision, and other benefits with low or $0 premiums.
Part D Prescription Drug Plans
Standalone drug coverage that works with Original Medicare. We'll match plans to your actual medication list.
How we help
A simple, no-pressure process from first call to lifelong support.
- 1
Free discovery call
We talk through what your needs and concerns are. No commitment, no sales pitch.
- 2
Side-by-side plan comparison
We pull quotes from top-rated carriers, check your providers and drug list, and show you the true annual cost of each plan — not just the premium.
- 3
Enroll the right way
Once you choose, we handle enrollment paperwork, confirm effective dates, and help you avoid late-enrollment penalties.
- 4
Year-round support
Need a new ID card, have a billing question, or your prescription changed? Call us directly — not a 1-800 number. We re-evaluate your plan every fall during AEP at no charge.
What you get with our agency
- Side-by-side plan comparisons from top national carriers
- Help reviewing your prescriptions and preferred doctors
- Guidance on enrollment windows and avoiding late penalties
- Year-round support — not just during enrollment season
The four parts of Medicare
Medicare is built from four parts — A, B, C, and D. Knowing what each one does (and what it doesn't) is the foundation for choosing the right combination of coverage.
Hospital Insurance
Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.
What it covers
- Inpatient hospital care (semi-private room, meals, nursing)
- Skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay
- Hospice care for terminal illness
- Limited home health care services
Typical cost
Most people pay $0 premium because they (or a spouse) paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). There is still a per-benefit-period hospital deductible.
Medical Insurance
Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab work, and durable medical equipment.
What it covers
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Outpatient surgeries and procedures
- Preventive care (annual wellness visit, screenings, vaccines)
- Lab tests, X-rays, and imaging
- Durable medical equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen)
Typical cost
Has a standard monthly premium set each year by Medicare, plus an annual deductible. After the deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
Medicare Advantage
An all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers. Bundles Parts A and B — and usually Part D — into a single plan.
What it covers
- Everything Original Medicare covers (Parts A & B)
- Usually includes Part D prescription drug coverage
- Often adds dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits
- Annual out-of-pocket maximum (Original Medicare has none)
Typical cost
Many plans have $0 or low monthly premiums (you still pay your Part B premium). You'll have copays for services and must typically use a plan network of doctors and hospitals.
Prescription Drug Coverage
Helps pay for prescription medications. Offered through standalone plans (with Original Medicare) or built into most Medicare Advantage plans.
What it covers
- Brand-name and generic prescription drugs
- Most vaccines (shingles, Tdap, and more)
- Plan-specific formularies — drug lists that determine pricing
Typical cost
Has its own monthly premium, plus copays or coinsurance per prescription. Without creditable drug coverage, a late-enrollment penalty can apply for life.
Two paths most people choose
Once you have Parts A and B, you'll generally pick one of two paths to round out your coverage:
Path 1: Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D
Keep Original Medicare and add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to cover deductibles and coinsurance, plus a standalone Part D drug plan. Predictable costs and freedom to see any doctor that accepts Medicare nationwide.
Path 2: Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Replace Original Medicare with a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles A, B, and usually D — often with extras like dental, vision, and fitness. Lower premiums but you'll use the plan's network.
Key enrollment windows
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A 7-month window around your 65th birthday — the 3 months before, your birthday month, and the 3 months after.
- Annual Enrollment 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. If you're already on an MA plan, you can switch to a different MA plan or back to Original Medicare.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Triggered by life events like moving, losing employer coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what people most often ask about medicare coverage.