Overview of Medicare
What Medicare is, who qualifies, and how the four parts fit together. Ten minutes here saves hours of confusion later, and the decision at the end of this path is one you only want to make once.
Start Here: A Quick Welcome from Matt
👋 90 seconds from Matt on who he is and how to get the most out of this guide.
🎯 What you'll walk away with: by the end of these six short modules you'll know which path fits your situation, what it should cost, and exactly when you need to act. And if you'd rather have all of it done for you, that's what Matt does every day, at no cost to you.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program primarily for people 65 or older, though it also covers certain younger people with disabilities and those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
It was signed into law in 1965 and today covers more than 65 million Americans. Understanding how it works is one of the most important financial decisions you'll make as you approach retirement.
💡 Medicare is NOT free. Most people pay premiums, deductibles, and copays. Understanding the costs is just as important as understanding the coverage.
The Four Parts of Medicare
Medicare is divided into four parts, each covering different services:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Most people don't pay a monthly premium for Part A if they've worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
- Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment. The standard premium in 2026 is $202.90/month, though higher earners pay more (IRMAA).
- Part C (Medicare Advantage): An alternative way to get your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company. We cover this in detail in Module 2.
- Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Covered in detail in Module 4.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
One of the first decisions you'll face is whether to stay on Original Medicare (Parts A and B, plus an optional Part D and Medigap supplement) or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).
This is the single most important decision in your Medicare journey, and it's one that many people make without fully understanding the tradeoffs. We'll break both down in the following modules.
When Frank D. came to me, he was three weeks from turning 65 with a kitchen table buried in plan mailers, 40+ pieces of mail, six agents calling, and no idea that "Medicare Advantage" and "Medicare Supplement" were completely different things. We sorted his entire situation in one 20-minute call. He told me afterward the worst part wasn't the decision. It was the six months he spent dreading it.
Client stories reflect real situations from Matt's practice. Names and identifying details are changed for privacy.
Drowning in plan mail too? Book 15 minutes →💡 Not sure which path fits you? That's the exact question Matt answers every day. A quick call now beats a year locked into the wrong plan, and it costs you nothing.
Ask Matt: Book a Free 15-Min CallWho Qualifies?
- Age 65 or older (U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident for at least 5 consecutive years)
- Under 65 with certain disabilities after receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months
- Any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS
When Does Coverage Begin?
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month and ends 3 months after. We go deep on all enrollment periods in Module 5.
⚠️ Missing your enrollment window can result in permanent late enrollment penalties on your monthly premiums. Don't wait, understand your dates now.
Check My Dates with Matt →Got a Question Already?
You don't need to finish the guide to ask. Matt answers quick questions by phone and text all day, and a 15-minute call now can save you a year on the wrong plan.
📞 Call or Text: (810) 775-6885 Prefer a callback? Have Matt call you instead →