You are generally eligible at age 65 if you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful permanent residence and have lived in the U.S. for five continuous years. Some people qualify earlier because of a disability, ALS, or end-stage renal disease.

Not always. If you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you may be enrolled automatically in Parts A and B. Otherwise, you usually need to sign up yourself.

Part A is hospital insurance, Part B is medical insurance, Part C is Medicare Advantage, and Part D is prescription drug coverage. Original Medicare refers to Parts A and B together.

Your Initial Enrollment Period is generally seven months long. It includes the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after.

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can face delays and possible late-enrollment penalties. A quick review of your timing now can help you avoid that.

Most people do not pay a premium for Part A, but Part B usually has a premium, and Part C and Part D costs vary by plan. You will also want to budget for deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and in some plans an annual out-of-pocket maximum.

Original Medicare gives you Part A and Part B through the federal program, while Medicare Advantage is a private-plan alternative that still covers Part A and B benefits. Medicare Advantage often includes extra benefits and usually bundles drug coverage, though networks and rules can be more limited. Plan availability varies by location, and you can review every option at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you take prescription medications, it is worth strongly considering Part D, because Original Medicare does not include drug coverage. Many Medicare Advantage plans already include drug coverage, so in that case you usually would not buy a separate Part D plan. Plan availability varies by location, and you can compare options at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

It depends on the plan. Original Medicare generally gives you broad provider choice, while Medicare Advantage plans may ask you to use in-network doctors and hospitals for the best coverage. Before you enroll, it is wise to check whether your doctors, specialists, and hospitals are included. Plan networks vary by location, and you can see available plans at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Traditional Medicare usually does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. It may cover certain medically necessary services, and some Medicare Advantage plans add these extra benefits.

Traditional Medicare generally does not cover long-term care such as assisted living or extended custodial care. It may cover limited skilled nursing, some home health care, and hospice care in specific situations. Because long-term care is one of the larger gaps in Medicare, many people plan for it separately, and that is an area we are glad to walk through with you.

Yes. You can usually make changes during Medicare’s annual enrollment period, and people with certain qualifying events may receive a Special Enrollment Period. It is smart to review your coverage every year, since benefits, costs, networks, and drug lists can change.

You are never required to use an agent, though many people find a licensed agent helpful for comparing options and understanding the timing. Working with our team comes at no cost to you, and there is no obligation to enroll.

You can schedule a free, no-obligation review with our licensed team. We serve Margate and nearby Florida communities, and we are also licensed in Georgia, Maryland, and New Jersey.