Plain English answers to the most common Medicare questions — no jargon, no confusion, just clarity.
📅 Enrollment & Eligibility
Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window that starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. If you miss this window, you may face late enrollment penalties.
A Special Enrollment Period allows you to sign up for or change Medicare outside of standard enrollment windows. Common qualifying events include:
Losing employer or union health coverage
Moving to a new service area
Gaining or losing Medicaid eligibility
Your plan leaving the Medicare program
Contact us — we can help you determine if you qualify for a SEP.
Missing your enrollment window can result in lifetime late enrollment penalties added to your monthly premiums. For Part B, the penalty is 10% for each 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll. For Part D, it's 1% of the national base premium for each month you went without coverage.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 – December 7 each year. During this time, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and change your Part D drug plan. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.
📋 Medicare Plans Explained
Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance, including:
Inpatient hospital stays
Skilled nursing facility care
Hospice care
Some home health services
Most people don't pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
Medicare Part B covers medical insurance, including:
Doctor visits and outpatient care
Preventive services (screenings, vaccines)
Mental health services
Durable medical equipment
Some home health services
Part B has a monthly premium (~$174.70/mo for most people in 2024) and an annual deductible.
Medicare Advantage plans bundle Part A + Part B coverage and usually include Part D prescription drug coverage. Many plans also include dental, vision, hearing, and fitness memberships — often at a $0 monthly premium.
Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. Plans vary in cost and which drugs they cover (called a formulary). The right plan can save you hundreds of dollars per year — we do this comparison for free!
Medigap plans help cover the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. They work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A & B) rather than replacing it. Standardized plan types include A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N.
💰 Costs & Coverage
Medicare costs vary by plan:
Part A: Usually free if you worked 10+ years
Part B: ~$174.70/month (2024)
Medicare Advantage: Many plans $0/month
Part D: Typically $10–$50/month
Medigap: Varies by plan type and location
A free review with us identifies exactly what you'll pay.
With Original Medicare, you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare — and most do. With Medicare Advantage, you'll need to stay in-network. We always verify your preferred doctors are covered before recommending a plan.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing. Many Medicare Advantage plans include these benefits at little or no extra cost — we can find you a plan that covers them.
🤝 Working With MedicareLingo
Yes — 100% free, always. No cost, no obligation, no pressure. Licensed agents are compensated by insurance carriers when a client enrolls — not by you.
Enrollment in Medicare plans is limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. For a complete list of available options, please visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Medicare Lingo is operated by Legacy Insurance Group LLC, an Arizona-licensed insurance agency (License #1800015262). Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Licensed insurance agents may be compensated based on a consumer's enrollment in a health plan. There is no obligation to enroll. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products in every state.
Plan availability, benefits, premiums, provider networks, and service areas may vary by state and county. Limitations, copayments, and exclusions may apply.
Medicare beneficiaries may also enroll through the official CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center at Medicare.gov.