U.S. citizens and legal residents.

You must also meet one of the following requirements:

• Age 65 or older
• Younger than 65 with a qualifying disability
• Any age with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Each part of Medicare provides different benefits.

Original Medicare

• Part A covers inpatient hospital and skilled nursing care.
• Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care.

Medicare Advantage

• Optional alternative to Original Medicare, also referred to as “Part C.”
• Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) combine Part A and Part B coverage. They often include drug coverage and other benefits you don’t get with Original Medicare but can have differences in physician networks.

Medicare Prescription Drug

• Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) help pay for medications. You can get a standalone Part D plan or get a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)

• Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) helps pay some or all costs not paid by Original Medicare (deductibles, copays and coinsurance).

Original Medicare

• Parts A + B
• Parts A + B plus Part D prescription coverage
• Parts A + B plus a Medicare supplement plan
• Parts A + B plus both Part D prescription coverage and a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan

Medicare Advantage

• Part C with no drug coverage
• Part C with built-in Part D prescription coverage
• Part C plus a standalone Part D prescription coverage plan in limited circumstances

If you choose Medicare Advantage, you cannot also purchase a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan.

• Deductible: A set amount you pay out of pocket for covered services each year before Medicare or your plan begins to pay.
• Copay: A fixed amount determined by the plan that you pay at the time you receive a covered service. For example, you might pay $20 when you visit the doctor or $12 when you fill a prescription.
• Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost for a covered service that you pay when you receive it. For example, Medicare might pay 80% of the covered service and the remaining 20% would be paid by you.

• Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is 7 months long. It includes your 65th birthday month plus the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
• Your IEP begins and ends one month earlier if your birthday is on the first of the month.
• Your IEP is based on your 25th month of receiving benefits if you become eligible for Medicare due to a qualifying disability.
• If you’re getting these benefits, in most cases, you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.

Your health

• How often do you go to the doctor?
• What health problems do you have?
• What medications do you take regularly?

Your budget

• What are you able to pay each month in premiums?
• How comfortable are you covering copays or coinsurance for services?
• How willing are you to accept the risk of high out-of-pocket costs?

Your preferences

• Which doctors, hospitals and pharmacies do you like to go to?
• How important is it for you to have access to health care while traveling?
• What other coverage do you have, such as an employer or retiree plan?