Medicare 101 · 00

New to Medicare?

If you're approaching 65, your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window — three months before your birthday month, the birthday month itself, and three months after. That's your one shot to enroll in Parts A, B, and either Original Medicare with Medigap or a Medicare Advantage plan, without late-enrollment penalties or medical underwriting. Here's the simplest possible roadmap of what to do, when, and which deadlines actually matter.

The 4 things you actually need to know first

1. Medicare has 4 parts (A, B, C, D)—but you don't choose all four separately. Most people end up with either Original Medicare + Part D (often + Medigap) or a single Medicare Advantage plan that bundles everything. See what each part covers →
2. Your enrollment window opens 3 months before your 65th birthday month and stays open for 7 months. Miss it and you may pay a penalty for life. Full enrollment timeline →
3. Part A is usually free; Part B has a monthly premium ($202.90 standard in 2026). Higher-income folks pay more (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)). Real numbers for 2026 →
4. You don't have to figure this out alone. A licensed independent broker (like us) costs you nothing and can compare every plan available in your zip code.

The 4 paths people actually take

After you decide to take Part A and Part B, you choose one of these four paths to fill in the rest of your coverage:

• Original Medicare alone. A + B only. You're exposed to the 20% Part B coinsurance with no out-of-pocket cap. Most people don't stay here.
• Original Medicare + Part D. Adds prescription drug coverage. Still no cap on Parts A/B costs. Cheap on premiums but risky on big medical events.
• Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D. Medigap (a.k.a. Medicare Supplement) caps your out-of-pocket and pays the gaps. Highest premium overall, lowest cost when you actually use care. More on Medigap →
• Medicare Advantage (Part C). One bundled plan with low or $0 premium, network-based, often includes drug coverage and dental/vision extras. Trade-off is network restrictions and prior auth. More on MA →

Common mistakes new enrollees make

• Missing the Initial Enrollment Period. Late penalties for Part B are permanent—10% of the premium for every 12 months you delayed.
• Auto-enrolling in a plan from the carrier with the loudest TV ad. "Medicare experts" on TV often only sell one carrier's plans.
• Skipping Part D because "I don't take any meds yet." The late-enrollment penalty applies for life, even if you have $0 in drug costs today.
• Choosing a plan once and never reviewing it. Plans change every year. So do your meds. An annual review during AOEP (Oct 15–Dec 7) is non-negotiable.

Want a guided walkthrough?

Most of our new clients spend 30 minutes on the phone with us before their 65th birthday. We walk through their meds, their doctors, their budget, and we put together a side-by-side comparison of plans available in their zip code. Then they decide. No pressure.

Talk to a  licensed agent—no cost, no pressure.

30-minute call. We'll review your situation, compare plans available in your area, and answer your questions. No obligation, ever.