Medicare, explained
The whole system, in plain language.
Five short reads cover everything Medicare asks you to decide — what each part does, what it costs, and when the clock is running. No jargon, no pitch.
Original Medicare: Parts A & B
The federal foundation everything else builds on — what each part covers, what each costs, and what neither one does.
Read the guide →Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Private all-in-one plans that replace how you receive Original Medicare — usually with networks, lower premiums, and an out-of-pocket maximum.
Read the guide →Medicare Supplements (Medigap)
Standardized plans that ride alongside Original Medicare and pick up most of what it leaves behind — predictability, at a price.
Read the guide →Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Drug coverage comes from a private plan. A gap without creditable drug coverage can lead to a late-enrollment penalty.
Read the guide →When to Enroll
Medicare runs on enrollment windows. Know yours, including the exceptions that let some people delay without a penalty.
Read the guide →Rather just talk it through?
Twenty minutes with John usually answers more than an afternoon of reading.
The big decision
Supplement or Advantage?
Two good answers to the same problem — Original Medicare's gaps. Which one fits depends on your health, your budget, and how you like to pay for care.
| Original Medicare + Supplement | Medicare Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Higher — you pay for predictability up front | Lower, often modest — you pay as you use care |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Small and predictable after premiums | Annual maximum for covered Part A and B services; premiums and drug costs are separate |
| Doctors & hospitals | Anyone in the U.S. who accepts Medicare | Plan network; referrals and prior authorization may apply |
| Drug coverage | Add a standalone Part D plan | Usually built in |
| Dental / vision / hearing | Not included — covered separately if you choose | Allowances often included |
| Travel & snowbirds | Coverage travels with you nationwide | Networks are local; emergency care is covered anywhere |
| Changing later | Federal 6-month window at 65 or older with Part B; other guaranteed-issue rights and state protections may apply | Change plans every fall during Annual Enrollment |
Educational comparison of coverage types — not a description of any specific plan. Plan costs and benefits vary by area and change each year.
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