Medicare

Last updated: December 9, 2025 Recently updated

Medicare Guide

Federal health insurance for people 65+ and those with disabilities

Not sure what coverage you need? Take our free 2-minute quiz to get personalized insurance recommendations.

What is Medicare?

Medicare provides essential protection for you and your family. Understanding how it works helps you make better coverage decisions.

Key Features

Coverage details and benefits
What’s typically included
Common exclusions to be aware of
Cost factors that affect premiums

Who Needs Medicare?

Learn whether this type of coverage is right for your situation and how to determine the appropriate coverage amount.

How to Choose a Policy

Tips for comparing policies, understanding terms, and finding the best value for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about medicare answered.

Retiring Checklist - Medicare enrollment steps

Long-Term Care Insurance - Coverage Medicare doesn’t provide
Medicaid - Dual eligibility can reduce out-of-pocket costs

Insurance for Seniors (65+) - Complete Medicare guide

Official Resources

Medicare.gov (opens in new tab) - Official Medicare information and enrollment
Medicare Plan Finder (opens in new tab) - Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (opens in new tab) - Free local Medicare counseling
Medicare Rights Center (opens in new tab) - Independent helpline and advocacy
Social Security Administration (opens in new tab) - Medicare enrollment through Social Security

Data Sources

Medicare data in this guide come from CMS Medicare.gov (opens in new tab) , Kaiser Family Foundation (opens in new tab) , and federal program data. Learn more about our data collection methods on our Methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I enroll in Medicare?

Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months: the 3 months before your 65th birthday, your birthday month, and 3 months after. If you’re still working with employer coverage, you may delay Part B without penalty. Missing enrollment windows can result in permanent premium penalties.

What's the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is traditional fee-for-service coverage from the federal government. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative offered by private insurers that bundles A, B, and usually D (drugs) with additional benefits, but typically requires using network providers.

Do I need Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap)?

Medigap policies help cover out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay (deductibles, coinsurance, copayments). They’re optional and only work with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. If you want predictable costs with Original Medicare, Medigap is worth considering.

What does Medicare Part D cover?

Part D covers prescription drugs through private insurance plans. Each plan has a formulary (list of covered drugs) with different cost tiers. Plans vary significantly in which drugs they cover and what you’ll pay. Compare plans annually during Open Enrollment (October 15-December 7).