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📞 Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)Everything you need to know about Medicare in plain English — start with the basics and drill down into what matters most to you.
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| Feature | Original Medicare | MA Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $203 (Part B) | Often $0 |
| Out-of-pocket cap | None | $9,250 max |
| Provider choice | Any provider | Network only |
| Dental/Vision | Not covered | Usually included |
| Drug coverage | Need Part D | Usually bundled |
Your birthday is loaded automatically. Every Medicare deadline is calculated for your specific dates — with a checklist to track your progress.
Search plans in your area, compare them side-by-side, and go directly to Medicare.gov to enroll officially.
Drag the slider to set how much healthcare you expect to use. See how Medicare Advantage and Medigap compare in real dollars.
We will show you representative Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in your area, sourced from CMS data.
Go Directly to Medicare Plan Finder →Sign in to access interactive CMS enrollment analytics, carrier market share by state, reimbursement data, KFF research, shopping guidance, and market trend intelligence.
Original Medicare only pays 80% of your medical bills. Medigap is private insurance that covers the gap — the remaining 20% — so you know exactly what you will owe. Here is everything explained in plain English, sourced directly from CMS and Medicare.gov.
Original Medicare pays 80% of your approved medical costs. You pay the remaining 20% — with no annual limit. For a $100,000 surgery, that is $20,000 out of your pocket. Medigap puts a predictable cap on what you owe.
Medigap fills in what Original Medicare leaves behind — copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. It is sold by private insurers but standardized by the federal government, so Plan G from one company covers the exact same things as Plan G from another.
Medigap does not cover dental, vision, hearing, long-term care, or private-duty nursing. It also does not include prescription drug coverage — you still need a separate Part D plan for medications.
You and your spouse must each buy separate Medigap policies. One policy does not cover both of you. As long as you pay your monthly premium, your Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable every year — they cannot cancel it because your health changes.
Starting the month you are both age 65 AND enrolled in Part B, you have a 6-month guaranteed issue window. During this time, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more for pre-existing conditions. Miss this window and they can reject you or charge significantly higher rates.
Every plan with the same letter covers the same benefits — no matter which company sells it. The only difference is the price. Data sourced directly from Medicare.gov.
| Benefit | Plan A | Plan B | Plan D | Plan G ⭐ | Plan K | Plan L | Plan M | Plan N ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (up to 365 extra days) | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | 50% | 75% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100%* |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | 50% | 75% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% |
| Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | 50% | 75% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | 50% | 75% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% |
| Part A deductible (2026 amount) | ✗ | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | ✓ 100% | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✓ 100% |
| Part B deductible (2026 amount) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Part B excess charges | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ 100% | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Foreign travel emergency (80%, after $250 deductible) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ 80% | ✓ 80% | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ 80% | ✓ 80% |
| Annual out-of-pocket limit (2026) | None | None | None | None | $7,060 | $3,530 | None | None |
If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you cannot purchase Plan C or Plan F. These plans are only available to people who were already eligible for Medicare before that date. Plan G is now the most comprehensive plan available to new enrollees, and covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible (2026 amount).
These are the most popular Medigap plans for people turning 65 in 2026.
Premiums vary by plan letter, your age, your state, and which insurer you choose. These ranges are for a 65-year-old non-smoker in 2026.
This is one of the most important things to understand before you buy — it affects how much you pay over your lifetime.
Everyone pays the same monthly premium regardless of age. Premiums only increase due to inflation or other general factors — not because you get older. Best long-term value if you plan to keep the policy for many years.
Your premium is based on your age when you first buy the policy and stays lower over time compared to attained-age pricing, though it can still increase for inflation. Good middle ground — lock in a lower rate by buying at 65.
Your premium increases as you age. Starts cheapest of all three methods, but becomes the most expensive over time. A 65-year-old paying $90/month may pay $238/month by age 75. Most common — know what you are buying.
As long as you pay your monthly premium, your Medigap policy must be renewed every year. The insurance company cannot cancel it because your health gets worse or because you file too many claims.
Federal law requires that all plans with the same letter cover the exact same benefits. Plan G from UnitedHealthcare and Plan G from Mutual of Omaha cover identical services. The ONLY difference between them is the monthly price — so always shop around.
Medigap plans sold after 2005 do not include prescription drug coverage. You must enroll in a separate Medicare Part D drug plan. If you have Medigap, you cannot join a Medicare Advantage plan — the two do not work together.
Most Medigap plans (D, G, M, N) cover 80% of emergency medical care outside the United States, after a $250 annual deductible. Your lifetime maximum for this benefit is $50,000. Original Medicare alone provides no coverage outside the U.S.
Outside your open enrollment period, you generally have guaranteed issue rights if: (1) your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, (2) you move out of your plan service area, or (3) your plan commits fraud. In these cases, insurers must sell you certain plans without health questions.
You cannot have both a Medigap policy and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. If you switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, your Medigap coverage is useless since Advantage replaces Medicare — and you may not be able to get Medigap back later.
Medicare.gov has a free tool to compare Medigap plans and estimated premiums available in your ZIP code from every licensed insurer in your state.
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Medicare and retirement go hand in hand. Here is a clear, plain-English roadmap covering everything from age 60 to your first years on Medicare — so nothing catches you off guard.
The actions you take at each age directly affect your Medicare coverage and retirement income. Here is what to do and when.
Budget for Medicare as a real retirement expense. The average retiree spends $6,000–$12,000 per year on Medicare premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket costs depending on plan choice and health needs.
These relationships trip people up. Know them before you retire.
If your income exceeds $106,000 (individual) or $212,000 (couple), you pay a surcharge called IRMAA on top of your standard Part B and Part D premiums. It is based on your income from 2 years ago, so retirement income planning matters.
If you or your spouse has employer coverage at a company with 20+ employees, you can delay Medicare without penalty. But if the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare becomes primary at 65 — sign up to avoid gaps.
If you take Social Security before 65, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare at 65. If you delay Social Security, you must actively sign up for Medicare during your enrollment window — it is not automatic.
Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you cannot contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA). However, you can still use your existing HSA balance to pay Medicare premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket costs — a great tax-free way to fund healthcare in retirement.
There is no undo button. Missing your Initial Enrollment Period adds 10% to your Part B premium permanently for every 12 months you delayed. Missing your Medigap window means insurers can charge you more based on health. The calendar matters.
Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care (help with daily activities in a nursing home). This is one of the biggest financial surprises in retirement. Consider long-term care insurance or a hybrid life/LTC policy well before you need it.
A free SHIP counselor can walk you through both Medicare and retirement planning — at no cost and with zero sales pressure. They are trained specifically to help people in your situation.
Answer 4 questions about your health, travel, and budget. Get a personalized recommendation in under 2 minutes.
Do not miss your enrollment window
You have a 7-month window around your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare. Missing it means a permanent late penalty on your monthly premium — for life.
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