Medicare 101

Medicare
Made Simple Your Clear Guide to the Basics

Turning 65 or new to Medicare? There’s a lot to know when it comes to Medicare. Start here to understand the basics, your coverage options and the important enrollment periods you need to know.

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Medicare questions, answered
  • What is Medicare and how does it work?
  • What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
  • How much does Medicare cost?
  • Am I eligible for Medicare?
  • When and how can I enroll?
Start with the basics

Discover how the different parts of Medicare work, what’s covered and how to avoid costly enrollment penalties. We’re here to help make Medicare easier to understand.

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8/30/2026

Medicare 101

Medicare consists of four main parts

A

PART A - Hospital Coverage

Original Medicare

Offered to nearly everyone eligible for Medicare at no cost

  • Covers hospital and nursing home stays
  • Government-provided, $0 premium
  • You are responsible for deductible + copayments
C

PART C - Medicare Advantage Plans

Private Insurance

You still enroll in Part A and Part B, but you receive all your benefits through one plan instead of through Original Medicare. These plans often have additional benefits, such as coverage for prescription drugs (Part D).

  • Covers all Part A + Part B benefits
  • Often includes Part D benefits
  • Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover—like vision, hearing, dental, and more.
  • Private insurance coverage (beneficiary paid premium)
B

PART B - Medical Coverage

Original Medicare

Part B is available to most individuals for a monthly premium.

  • Covers doctor visits + outpatient care
  • Government provided, you pay a monthly premium
  • You are responsible for deductible + coinsurance
D

PART D - Prescription Drug Coverage

Private Insurance

Medicare prescription drug plans provide coverage for generic and brand-name drugs.

  • Voluntary enrollment
  • For drugs not covered by Original Medicare (Part A + Part B)
  • Private insurance coverage (beneficiary paid premium)
Compare your options

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

Medicare is not one size fits all. There are important differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare is a federal fee-for-service plan that allows you to see any doctor accepting Medicare. Medicare Part A and Part B cover a range of services, including hospital care, medical care and preventive care.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage, or Part C, is an all-in-one private alternative that typically requires using specific provider networks, but often includes prescription drug coverage and added benefits like dental or vision.

Original Medicare does not cover every health care service. Medicare Advantage plans can provide additional benefits and coverage options. Learn more about Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medicare questions, answered

Find answers to common questions about eligibility, enrollment, Medicare costs and choosing coverage.

Am I eligible for Medicare?

Here’s how to know if you are eligible to enroll in Medicare:

  • You’re 65 or older and a U.S. citizen, or are an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for five continuous years prior to the month of filing an application for Medicare.
  • You’re younger than 65, permanently disabled and have received Social Security disability payments for at least 24 months — or you need a kidney transplant or dialysis for end-stage renal disease.
  • Most people are automatically enrolled in Part A on the first day of the month they turn 65. If you don’t receive an enrollment notice three months before your 65th birthday, call the Social Security Administration.
When can I enroll in Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare three months before you turn 65.

You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS.

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)

When: Begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birth month and ends three months after.

What you can do: You have a seven-month initial enrollment period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. Once enrolled in Original Medicare, you can also sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Supplement plan and Part D plan.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

When: Jan. 1 – March 31 each year.

What you can do: If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare and a separate Medicare drug plan.

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

When: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 each year.

What you can do: You can make changes to Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year.

  • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Change from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.
  • Join or change a Medicare drug plan.
  • Drop Medicare drug coverage.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

When: A Special Enrollment Period is a limited period throughout the year when you can add or switch coverage. The length depends on your specific situation.

What you can do: You may make changes to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage when certain events happen in your life, such as moving or losing other insurance coverage.

Visit Medicare.gov to learn more.

Is Medicare free? How much does Medicare cost?

Medicare is not entirely free. While some parts may have a $0 monthly premium, most people still pay out-of-pocket costs.

These costs may include monthly premiums for certain parts, annual deductibles, copayments and coinsurance when you receive care. What you pay will depend on the plan you choose.

How do I enroll in a Medicare plan?

There are several types of Medicare plans, each with different ways of enrolling. The first step is to enroll in Original Medicare through the Social Security Administration.

You can then choose to add additional coverage or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through the insurance plan provider.

How to Enroll in Medicare Part A

Some older adults are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare Part A. If you started receiving Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before turning 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare.

If you’re not automatically enrolled, you can enroll online, by phone or in person at your local Social Security Administration office.

How to Enroll in Medicare Part B

  1. Fill out a Medicare enrollment application online through the Social Security Administration.
  2. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 . TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778 .
  3. Visit your local Social Security office and enroll in person.

How to Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan

Once you’re enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, you can choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan. After comparing plans available in your area, contact the plan provider directly.

How to Enroll in Medicare Part D

After you enroll in Original Medicare, you can add Part D prescription drug coverage through a private insurance company.

You can compare Medicare Part D plans using the Medicare Plan Finder .

Can you get Medicare while still working?

You can enroll in Medicare as soon as you reach 65, even if you’re still working. Before applying, however, you’ll need to consider your current health insurance coverage.

If you’re still working at 65, you may be able to keep your workplace health insurance along with Medicare Part A and enroll in Part B when you retire through a Special Enrollment Period.

Learn more about Medicare while still working.

Why choose a Medicare Advantage plan?

Medicare Advantage plans often have added benefits and may include:

  • Affordable copays, sometimes as low as $0
  • No referrals to see a specialist
  • Access to hospitals, clinics, providers and specialists
  • Free health club membership or a fitness allowance
  • Vision and hearing care benefits
  • Prescription drug benefits
  • Dental benefits
  • Over-the-counter allowance and more
Medicare Advantage

More than Original Medicare alone

Medicare Advantage plans often combine your core Medicare coverage with additional benefits designed to support your overall health.

Affordable copays, sometimes as low as $0
No referrals to see a specialist
Access to hospitals, clinics and providers
Health club membership or fitness allowance
Vision and hearing care
Prescription drug benefits
Dental benefits
Over-the-counter allowance and more
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Ready to learn more about Medicare?

Understanding the basics is the first step. Explore your options, get answers to your questions and use our Medicare Decision Guide to help simplify your choices.

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