Medicare education
Free guides to help you make informed decisions about your coverage.
NewOriginal Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Which Is Right For You?
Compare Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage plans to choose the most suitable fit. Understand costs, doctor choice, and benefits for your healthcare needs.
NewMedicare Parts A, B, C, D: What Each Covers & Your Choices
Demystify Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D. Understand what each covers, their costs, and how to choose the right combination for your healthcare needs.
NewHospital Observation vs. Admission: Your Nursing Home Bill
Understand how hospital admission status (inpatient vs. observation) impacts Medicare coverage for your hospital stay and skilled nursing facility bills.
NewMedicare Advantage Open Enrollment: Your January-March Choices
Understand the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) from January 1 to March 31. Learn who can use it, what changes you can make, and how it differs from other enrollment periods to choose the right plan.
NewWhat Medicare Part B Covers: Doctor Visits and More
Learn what Medicare Part B covers, including doctor visits, preventive care, medical equipment, and its associated costs like premiums and deductibles.
NewMedicare Part D: Avoiding Late Enrollment Penalties
Learn about the Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty, how it's calculated, the importance of creditable drug coverage, and how Medicare Advantage plans impact your drug coverage choices.
NewHMO, PPO, PFFS, MSA: How Each Medicare Advantage Plan Type Works
Understand HMO, PPO, PFFS, and MSA Medicare Advantage plans. Learn how each plan type affects seeing doctors and why Original Medicare is different.
NewMedicare Part B or Part D: Which Pays for Your Drugs?
Understand whether Medicare Part B or Part D covers your prescription drugs, including infusions, insulin, and vaccines. Learn about cost-sharing and plan differences.
NewHow to Read Your Medicare Advantage Annual Notice of Change
Learn how to read your Medicare Advantage Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Understand changes to costs, benefits, doctors, and drugs for next year.
NewThe Medigap Birthday Rule: Switching Plans Without Health Questions
Learn about the Medigap birthday rule, a state-specific right allowing you to switch Medigap plans without medical underwriting. Discover which states offer this benefit.
NewWhy Did My Medigap Premium Increase? Understanding Rating Methods
Understand why your Medigap premium went up. Learn about attained-age, issue-age, and community rating methods, and other factors affecting your Medigap costs.
NewExtra Help (LIS): Do You Qualify, and Its Value
Learn about Medicare's Extra Help (LIS) program, who qualifies, and how it can significantly reduce your prescription drug costs for Part D.
NewWhy '$0 Premium' Medicare Advantage Isn't Truly Free
Discover why '$0 premium' Medicare Advantage plans aren't truly free. Understand Part B costs, deductibles, copays, networks, and the annual out-of-pocket maximum.
NewYour One-Time Medigap Open Enrollment: Why This 6-Month Window Matters
Learn about the critical 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This one-time window allows you to buy a Medigap policy regardless of health, ensuring predictable medical costs.
NewMedicare Scams: Identifying Legitimate Calls During Enrollment
Learn how to tell the difference between legitimate Medicare calls and scams, especially during enrollment periods. Protect your personal information and report fraud.
Dental, Vision, and Hearing: Original Medicare vs. Advantage Coverage
Understand how Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover routine dental, vision, and hearing services. Learn what's covered and what your options are.
Medicare Star Ratings: What 5 Stars Means for Your Plan
Understand Medicare Star Ratings, how they are calculated, and why a 5-star plan offers special enrollment opportunities for better care.
Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization in 2026: Rules and Denials
Understand Medicare Advantage (Part C) prior authorization rules for 2026, including decision timeframes, denial reasons, and how to appeal a denied request.
Verifying Your Doctors in a Medicare Advantage Plan Network
Learn how to effectively check if your doctors are in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan's network, ensuring covered care and avoiding unexpected costs.
Medical Underwriting for Medigap: What Happens When You Switch Later?
Learn about medical underwriting for Medigap plans. Understand when it applies, special enrollment protections, and how your health affects switching Medigap policies later.
Medicare Savings Programs: Help with Costs You Might Be Missing
Learn about Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) and how these state programs can help pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-payments, potentially saving you thousands.
Managing High Drug Costs: The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
Learn about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, a new option to spread your Part D prescription drug costs over monthly payments and avoid large upfront bills.
Understanding Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Learn about your 7-month Medicare Initial Enrollment Period. Understand when it starts, what steps to take, and avoid late enrollment penalties.
Understanding Your Part D $2,100 Drug Cap and the Eliminated Donut Hole
Learn about Medicare Part D's $2,100 out-of-pocket cap for 2026, what counts towards it, what doesn't, and how the 'donut hole' has been eliminated.
Navigating IRMAA: Why Some Pay More for Medicare Part B and Part D
Learn about IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) for Medicare Part B and Part D, why higher earners pay more, and how to appeal with Form SSA-44.
Understanding Your 2026 Medicare Costs: Premiums, Deductibles, and More
Understand your 2026 Medicare costs, including Part A, Part B, and Part D premiums, deductibles, and the impact of income on your healthcare expenses.
When a Medicare Advantage Plan Might Not Be Your Top Choice
Learn when a Medicare Advantage plan might not be the right choice for you, focusing on flexibility, travel, and potential out-of-pocket costs for extensive care.
Starting Medicare: Essential Steps for Your First Month
Starting Medicare? Learn the three essential steps new beneficiaries should take in their first month to confirm coverage, choose plans, and understand costs.
Choosing Your Medicare Path: Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
Compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans to understand their differences in costs, benefits, networks, and prescription drug coverage. Make an informed choice for your healthcare needs.
Your Guide to Signing Up for Medicare: A Step-by-Step Approach
Learn how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B, including when to enroll, what documents you need, and the step-by-step process via SSA.gov. Avoid late penalties.
Working Past 65? When to Delay Medicare Enrollment
Learn when delaying Medicare Part A or Part B enrollment is beneficial if you're still working at 65 with employer health coverage, especially with an HSA.
How Much Does Medicare Cost in 2025? The Real Numbers
Get the real 2025 Medicare cost numbers — Part A and B premiums, deductibles, IRMAA surcharges, Part D costs, and how Medigap can fill the gaps.
5 Expensive Medicare Mistakes People Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Learn the 5 most common and costly Medicare mistakes — missing enrollment deadlines, ignoring plan reviews, and more — and what to do instead.
Still Working at 65? How Your Employer Insurance Works With Medicare
Still working at 65 with employer insurance? Learn how Medicare and employer coverage coordinate, when to enroll, and how to avoid costly enrollment mistakes.
Medicare Enrollment Periods: Don't Miss These Deadlines
Medicare has multiple enrollment windows. Missing them means penalties or coverage gaps. Learn every key deadline — IEP, AEP, OEP, and SEPs — explained clearly.
What Medicare Doesn't Cover (And What to Do About It)
Medicare has real coverage gaps — dental, vision, hearing, long-term care, and more. Learn what's excluded and the options available to fill those gaps.
Medicare and Prescriptions: How Part D Drug Plans Work
Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs, but formularies, tiers, and costs vary widely. Learn how to compare plans and find one that covers your medications.
Medicare in Texas: Your Local Options and Resources
Medicare in Texas offers unique plan options, local SHIP counseling, and state Medicaid resources. Here's your guide to navigating Medicare as a Texas resident.