Original Medicare (Parts A & B) provides excellent coverage, but leaves the Medicare recipient responsible for potentially unlimited out of pocket expenses.  For this reason, we recommend everyone look at health insurance that provides protection that exceeds original Medicare.  These days there are plans that have premiums as low as $0, so protection is affordable for nearly everyone.

Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is administered through private insurance companies. We recommend everyone review their Part D plan options, even if they don’t take prescription medications today for two reasons: 1) you never know if you’ll need medications in the future, 2) there is generally a penalty for not signing up for Part D when you’re first eligible.  You can learn more about Medicare by downloading the Medicare & You handbook from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or by viewing our Education Guide.

For free help navigating Medicare and choosing insurance that meets your needs, click here.

If you choose you may enroll on www.medicare.gov. You can also enroll by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. When you join a Medicare drug plan, you will have to provide your Medicare number and the date your Part A and/or Part B coverage started. This information is on your Medicare card.