A Beginner's Guide to Medicare

Before anything else, figure out whether it's your time. Three simple situations cover almost everyone:

• Retiring at 65? Sign up for Original Medicare — Part A and Part B.
• Self-employed, or at a company with fewer than 20 employees? You'll want Part A and Part B at 65.
• Still working for a large employer (20+ people) with solid coverage? You do not have to take Part B yet — and there's no penalty for waiting.

How do you do it?

You can sign up online in a few minutes at medicare.gov or ssa.gov — they lead to the same place, so pick one. You can also do it by appointment at your local Social Security office.

When should you do it?

Ideally, three months before the month you turn 65. The government takes its time getting your benefits active, so the earlier you start inside that window, the smoother it goes. Don't wait until the last minute — rushed Medicare decisions are how mistakes happen.

If you're already drawing Social Security, your Part B premium comes right out of that monthly check automatically — nothing to set up.

If you're not collecting Social Security yet, Medicare defaults to billing you quarterly — and that first bill can be a surprise, since it covers three months at once. Setting up Medicare Easy Pay lets your premium draft automatically from your bank account each month, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Here's something most people don't know: medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE are legally prohibited from giving you advice about which private plan fits you. They can't recommend. They can only inform.

To enroll in anything beyond Original Medicare, you work with a licensed advisor — like our team — or directly with an insurance company. And here's the part that surprises people: going through us costs you nothing. The price is identical whether you enroll yourself or let us guide you. Same plan, same premium — you just get an expert in your corner for free.

Original Medicare has real gaps, so most people add private coverage to fill them. There are two roads — and the right one depends entirely on you.

Skip creditable drug coverage and Medicare hits you with a permanent late penalty — so this step matters.

If you chose Medicare Advantage, your drug plan is almost always built right in. If you chose a Medicare Supplement, a standalone Part D plan is required separately. We take your actual medication list and find the plan that keeps your yearly out-of-pocket as low as possible.

Almost there. Now decide whether you want coverage for the things Medicare simply doesn't touch. The most popular add-ons our families choose:

• Dental, Vision & Hearing — Medicare covers almost none of it. A standalone plan fills that gap. Great fit with a Supplement.
• Cancer, Heart Attack & Stroke — pays you a lump sum on diagnosis. Worth a look if it runs in your family.
• Hospital Indemnity — reimburses those daily hospital copays. Often $15–$30/month to protect against $300+/day. Popular with Advantage members.

That's it — you're set. Your insurance cards and policy documents typically arrive within 10–14 days. Your coverage doesn't actually start until your policy's effective date, which means you can get everything lined up months in advance and simply have it switch on the day you need it. No gaps, no scramble.

The figures that change every year — here's where they stand for 2026:

*Higher earners pay more through IRMAA. Most people (fewer than 40 quarters aside) pay the standard Part B amount.

New to Medicare, it can feel like a hundred pieces that all have to fit together at once. If you'd rather not do it alone:

• Watch the free guide above — it covers how Medicare works from top to bottom.
• Book a Blueprint consultation — we'll show you the actual plans and prices in your ZIP code and map out your enrollment timeline.

Your blueprint is waiting. Let's build it together.