Medicare Overview

Part B of Medicare will cover your doctor visits, tests and screenings, any medicare equipment you need, ambulances, and other services.

This can include cancer treatments (radiation/chemo), imaging, and dialysis.

Included also in Part B are things like flu shots, mammograms, colonoscopies, and more.

You should know, Part B will generally cost more than Part A. For some, it may be a good idea to delay signing up for Part B if you are still working and have work insurance.

If you already are taking Social Security benefits at age 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. Otherwise, you will need to enroll at age 65. It is important to apply for coverage before you will need it to ensure you don't have a gap in your insurance or be charged any penalties. 

Medicare Part C is an alternative to traditional Medicare, and you should know they are optional. A Part C Medicare plan is a private Medicare plan - one that pays instead of normal Medicare.

What you get with a Part C (Medicare Advantage, or MA) plan, is coverage that includes Parts A, B, and likely D into one plan.

You will still enroll in Part A and Part B, as well as Part C. MA Plans sometimes pay for things not included in original Medicare, like dental and vision.

For these plans, you will likely choose and HMO or PPO. With an HMO, you will choose a primary care provider. With a PPO, you will have a network of doctors and facilities to choose from.

Part D of Medicare will pay some of your retail Rx drug costs. These plans have premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and copays. Some plans also have an annual deductible.

It is important to choose the right plan depending on what prescription drugs you are taking regularly.

Part D differs to Part A and B in that you will not enroll through Social Security. To enroll in Part D, you will choose from private insurance plans offered in your county.

Please note, these plans are optional, and there are rules for when you can enroll (and dis-enroll) from Part D.