Medicare
Getting Started with Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Some people get Medicare automatically, others have to actively sign up -- it depends if you start getting retirement or disability benefits from Social Security before you turn 65.
Also, you don't have to take Medicare at 65 if you are still working and have "creditable coverage" through your employer. It's important to analyze the cost and benefits of staying with your employer coverage vs signing up for Medicare.
Medicare.gov can help you get started, but I'm also here to help!
Parts of Medicare
Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice are, and home health care.
Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover:
- Services from doctors and other health care providers
- Outpatient and some home health care
- Durable Medical Equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)
- Many preventative visits (yearly "Wellness" visit, screenings, shots/vaccines)
Part D (Drug Coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. You get this coverage either through a stand-alone prescription drug plan, or by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Your Medicare Options
Medicare is great insurance, but leaves gaps that need addressed.
Most people choose to address those gaps in 1 of 2 ways...
- Adding a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policy and a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).
- Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage).
2025 Medicare Costs
Most people do not pay a premium for Part A.
The Part B premium (base) $185/month. Higher incomes pay more.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) + Part D:
- Medigap premium: $75–$500+/month
- Part D premium: $0-$150+/month
- Add: Dental/Vision/Hearing: $30-$70/month
Medicare Advantage (Part C):
- Premiums range from $0–$100 but most pay $0
- The average annual maximum out-of-pocket is $4,500
- Often include Dental, Vision, Hearing, Gym, and over-the-counter benefits
Compare Advantage vs Supplement
It's wise to prepare as you make your Medicare decisions. This video is worth 32 minutes of your time. It's the most informative and unbiased I could find on this topic. Thanks Erik!
I'm here to help!
If you made it this far, good for you! I would love to help guide you through your Medicare decisions or review your current coverage.
Please use the link below to get started entering your information, including your doctors and prescription medications.