Turning 65? Start Medicare with total confidence

Turning 65? Here's how to approach Medicare with confidence

If Medicare feels like alphabet soup, you're not alone. The good news: you don't have to figure it out by yourself. This plain-English guide walks through what Medicare is, when to enroll, and how to choose — and Priscilla is here to help with every step, for free.

What are the parts of Medicare?

Medicare has four parts. Part A covers hospital stays and is usually premium-free if you've worked enough quarters. Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care and has a monthly premium. Part C (Medicare Advantage) is a private all-in-one alternative that bundles A, B, and usually D with extra benefits. Part D covers prescription drugs.

When should I enroll in Medicare?

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window: the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after. Enrolling on time helps you avoid lifelong late-enrollment penalties on Part B and Part D. If you're still working with qualifying employer coverage, you may be able to delay — Priscilla helps you confirm.

How do I choose between Medicare Advantage and a Supplement?

This is the big decision. A Medicare Advantage plan often has low or $0 premiums and bundles extras like dental and vision, but uses provider networks and yearly-changing rules. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plus a stand-alone Part D plan offers broad provider freedom and predictable costs, at a higher premium. The right answer depends on your doctors, prescriptions, travel, and budget — exactly what Priscilla evaluates with you.

What will Medicare cost me?

Costs include your Part B premium, plus any plan premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. The lowest-premium plan isn't always the cheapest once your actual care and prescriptions are counted. Priscilla estimates your true annual cost so there are no surprises.