Our Medicare experts answer the most commonly asked Medicare questions, from coverage concerns to monthly costs. Browse the full Medicare FAQ library now.
What are the different parts of Medicare?
There are 4 parts of Medicare: Parts A, B, C, and D.
Your first chance to sign up for Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A & B) will be around your 65th birthday. When you sign up for Original Medicare, you are enrolling in basic hospital and medical coverage only.
If you are under 65, you may qualify if you have a disability or serious disease such as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
After you enroll in Original Medicare, you can apply for optional Medicare health and drug coverage. Plans that provide this coverage are called Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). Your first chance to sign up for these plans also is around your 65th birthday.
If you do not enroll in a Medicare plan around your 65th birthday, there are designated periods when you can enroll each year.
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Original Medicare (Parts A & B) provides some dental and vision coverage, but only in limited situations. Medicare Advantage plans can include benefits Original Medicare doesn't cover, but plans with benefits like dental and vision may not be available where you live.
What Medical procedures are covered under Medicare?
Numerous procedures and services are offered under Original Medicare. In some cases, Medicare Advantage plans may cover procedures that Original Medicare won't cover.
What’s the difference between Medicare Supplement insurance and Medicare Advantage plans?
Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get your Original Medicare benefits and some benefits Original Medicare doesn't cover.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance is a type of insurance coverage that helps you pay for your Original Medicare co-payments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs.
Both types of health plans are sold by private companies and require you to be enrolled in Original Medicare before you are eligible for coverage.
You cannot have a Medicare Supplement insurance policy and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.
There are two ways to get prescription drug coverage through the Medicare program. You can either enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage or enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D).
Both Part C plans and Part D plans are provided by private health insurers and are regulated by the federal government.
Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A & B) does not provide prescription drug coverage.
Have your questions answered by a licensed insurance agent
Medicare writer Christian Worstell answers reader questions about everything from Medicare benefits to enrollment and eligibility. To learn the answers to popular Medicare FAQs, check out the articles below.
If you're ready to compare the Medicare plan options available where you live, you can call to speak with a licensed insurance agent. You can also compare plans online for free, with no obligation to enroll.
Once you've found the best Medicare plan for your needs, you can enroll over the phone or online, if you're eligible.
Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.
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Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.
Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.
Christian has written hundreds of articles for MedicareAvantage.com that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.
Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.
A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@tzhealthmedia.com.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover routine dental or vision care. 2024 Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans can cover benefits Original Medicare doesn’t cover, but dental and/or hearing benefits may not be available where you live. Learn more and find out how to compare the plans and benefits available in your area.
When you travel or move to another state, does your Medicare insurance go with you? Find out how Medicare works in other areas of the country and how to maintain the coverage you need.
If you are not automatically enrolled in Medicare, you’ll need to have these documents and information on hand when you apply for Medicare benefits. Learn more about what you need to have ready when you apply.
If your Medicare card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can get a replacement card from Social Security and the Railroad Retirement Board, or by calling Medicare or logging into your My Social Security online account.
Things can get confusing when someone is eligible for both Medicare and employer-sponsored health insurance. We’re here to clear it up and help you understand what you should know concerning Medicare and employer coverage.
Discover how to perform everyday tasks using MyMedicare.gov, the official Medicare online user portal, including opening an account, logging in and using the Blue Button.
Join our email series to receive your Medicare guide and the latest information about Medicare.
By clicking "Sign me up!” you are agreeing to receive emails from MedicareAdvantage.com.
Thanks for signing up for our emails!
Your Medicare guide will arrive in your email inbox shortly. You can also look forward to informative email updates about Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
If you'd like to speak with an agent right away, we're standing by for that as well. Give us a call!