Medicare is the largest insurer in the United States. According to most professionals, there are almost 98,000,000 people enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid in 2019. That number will increase. A little over 1/3 of those are in a Medicare Advantage plan.

​

Medicare has parts which have been given letters:

Part A _ Hospital Coverage

Part B - Outpatient Services

Part D - Private Insurance Coverage for medications.

Part C - A private insurance that covers everything Medicare covers (sometimes more) and may or may not include Part D.

 

The key points to Medicare are:

• You (usually) must be 65 or older to enroll in Medicare.

• You have a yearly enrollment period to change plans known as AEP. This runs from October 15th to December 7th each year. (Other times may be available for your specific situation).

• While every one gets Part A of Medicare, or hospital coverage, you must enroll in Part B when it is your time to do so.

• If you delay enrolling in Part B beyond the time set for you, there is late penalty that you will pay Medicare for the rest of your life.

• Delayed enrollment in Part D, while more complex in figuring out when you need to enroll, also causes a lifetime penalty.

​