New to Medicare? Take a breath — we’ve got you.
Turning 65, retiring, or just starting to look? Medicare can feel like a wall of letters and deadlines. This page walks you through the whole thing in plain English — what Medicare is, when to sign up, what it costs, and the choices you’ll make — so you can move forward with confidence. And when you want a real person, we’re one free call away.
What Medicare actually is
Medicare is federal health coverage for people 65 and older (and some younger people with certain conditions). It comes in four parts, each covering a different kind of care. Learn what each letter does and the rest falls into place. Parts A and B together are called Original Medicare; Parts C and D are the private pieces you can add.
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, and hospice. Most people pay no premium.
Doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. Has a monthly premium.
An all-in-one private alternative that bundles Parts A, B, and usually D.
Prescription drug coverage through private plans. Skipping it can cost you later.
Parts A and B are your government foundation. From there, you either add a drug plan and a supplement, or choose one Medicare Advantage plan that bundles it all — and we’ll help you make that choice. Want the full breakdown? See Medicare Plans Explained.
Your enrollment timeline
This is the most important thing to get right as you start: Medicare runs on specific windows, and missing one can mean lifelong penalties. Here are the ones that matter most when you’re new.
Initial Enrollment Period
A 7-month window around your 65th birthday — the 3 months before your birthday month, that month, and the 3 months after. This is when most people first sign up.
Medigap Open Enrollment
A one-time 6-month window that starts when you’re 65 and enrolled in Part B. During it, no carrier can turn you down or charge more for your health.
Special Enrollment Period
If you have qualifying coverage through a job, you may be able to delay Part B without penalty — and enroll later when that coverage ends.
Annual Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
Once you’re in, this is when you can change your Advantage or Part D coverage for the coming year. A yearly review keeps you in the right plan.
The penalties for signing up late for Part B and Part D can follow you for life. If you’re near 65 or leaving employer coverage, the safest move is a quick call so we can map your exact dates — before a deadline passes.
Getting started, in four steps
It feels like a lot, but the path is short. Here’s the whole thing, start to finish.
Get Parts A & B
Enroll in Original Medicare during your 7-month window (or when your employer coverage ends). This is your foundation.
Choose your path
Decide between Original Medicare with a supplement, or a Medicare Advantage plan. We compare both against your needs.
Add drug coverage
Match a Part D plan to the exact medications you take — or confirm it’s built into your Advantage plan.
Enroll & relax
We handle the paperwork and set a yearly review, so your coverage stays right as your needs and rates change.
Two ways to complete your Medicare
Once you have Parts A and B, you choose one of these two paths — not both. Here’s the short version; each links to a deeper guide.
- Keep Original Medicare, add a supplement + a Part D plan
- See any doctor nationwide that accepts Medicare — no networks
- Very predictable costs; the supplement pays most gaps
- Great for freedom and travel
- One private plan that bundles Parts A, B, and usually D
- Usually uses a network (HMO or PPO)
- Often a low premium, with extras like dental and vision
- Great for bundled benefits
What Medicare costs (in plain terms)
Exact amounts change each year and depend on your income and choices, so here’s how the costs work — the pieces to plan for, without the fine print.
Premiums
Part A is usually premium-free if you’ve worked enough years. Part B has a monthly premium, and Part D and Advantage plans may add their own.
Deductibles & the 20%
Original Medicare has deductibles, and you pay about 20% of most outpatient bills — with no yearly cap. That gap is what a supplement or an Advantage plan’s maximum is designed to protect against.
Late penalties
Sign up late for Part B or Part D without other qualifying coverage and you can face a permanent surcharge. Enrolling on time is the easiest money you’ll ever save.
The cheapest plan on paper isn’t always the cheapest for you — it depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, and your health. That’s exactly what a free comparison sorts out, with no bias toward any carrier.
Common mistakes to avoid
Missing your enrollment window
The single most expensive mistake. Late sign-up for Part B or D can mean lifelong penalties — mark your dates or let us track them.
Skipping drug coverage
“I don’t take anything yet” still needs a plan — going without creditable Part D coverage triggers a penalty later.
Assuming you can switch Medigap anytime
Your no-questions window is limited. After it, most states allow health underwriting — so timing matters.
Picking a plan on price alone
A low premium means little if your doctor or medication isn’t covered. Fit matters more than the sticker.
Explore next
Ready to go deeper? These guides pick up right where this page leaves off.
Medicare Plans Explained
The four parts and the two paths, side by side, in plain English.
Read the guideWhat Is a Medicare Supplement
How Medigap fills the gaps, and how all the lettered plans compare.
Read the guideMedicare Carrier Directory
The A-rated carriers we shop for you, and what each is known for.
Browse carriersMedicare Part A
Your hospital coverage — what it includes and what it doesn’t.
Learn about Part AMedicare Part B
Your medical and outpatient coverage, and its monthly premium.
Learn about Part BMedicare Part D
How prescription drug coverage works and why timing matters.
Learn about Part DYou don’t have to figure this out alone.
Tell us a little about your situation — your doctors, your prescriptions, when you’re turning 65 — and we’ll walk you through your options and compare every plan that fits. No cost, no pressure, no carrier bias. Just a friendly, straight answer.
May River Medicare Insurance is an independent agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or CMS. We do not offer every plan available in your area; any information we provide is limited to the plans we offer. Plan availability, benefits, premiums, and provider networks vary by ZIP code and carrier, and you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. For a complete list of your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.