What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, and for some younger people with disabilities. It is not one single plan. It comes in parts, and understanding those parts is the key to choosing well.
Who qualifies, and when?
Most people qualify at 65. Your first chance to enroll starts three months before the month you turn 65 and runs for seven months in total. Missing that window can mean paying more for the rest of your life, which is why the timing matters as much as the choice itself.
The choice most people face
Once enrolled in Parts A and B, most people either add a Supplement and a drug plan, or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. Neither path is better for everyone. The right answer depends on your health, your budget, your doctors and where you live, and that is exactly the conversation a licensed agent is for.