Medicare

Written by Stephanie Guinan
Updated
Medicare is available to people age 65 or older, as well as younger people with certain disabilities. Learn more about the benefits covered by Medicare, and use interactive tools to find cheap Medicare plans in your area.

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Medicare Part C explained
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Medigap plan guide

Learn about the different types of Medicare insurance policies

Medicare can be broken down into four different types of coverage.

The two main ways of obtaining Medicare are:

  1. Get Part A and B plans, with the option of adding Part D or Medigap.
  2. Get a Part C plan (bundles Part A and B and usually Part D).

Part A

Part B

Part C

Part D

Also known as hospital insurance, Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, hospice care and, in some cases, home health care. If you were in the workforce for more than 10 years, or 40 quarters, then you will likely not have to pay for Medicare Part A.

Part A

Also known as hospital insurance, Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, hospice care and, in some cases, home health care. If you were in the workforce for more than 10 years, or 40 quarters, then you will likely not have to pay for Medicare Part A.

Part B

Part B provides coverage for medical needs including outpatient care and visits to the doctor. It covers both preventative and medically necessary services. Medicare Part A and part B make up Original Medicare, which is managed by the federal government.

Part C

Also known as Medicare Advantage, Part C is offered by private companies that contract with Medicare. People who buy Part C pay for:

  • Part A: Usually free
  • Part B: Cost set each year by the government
  • Part C: Cost set by the private insurance company

Part C offers coverage for services not offered by Parts A and B, such as dental and vision care.

Part D

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of a wide range of medications, including prescription drugs.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Medigap is a supplemental health insurance coverage that you can add to your Original Medicare policy. It provides coverage for costs not covered by Medicare Parts A and B, such as deductibles, coinsurance and out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Which Is Best?

Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Which Is Best?

by Talon Abernathy

Guide to Medicare

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1. How old do you have to be to get Medicare?

You must be 65 or older in order to qualify for Medicare. However, some younger people with certain disabilities can also qualify for Medicare.

Medicare Eligibility Calculator

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Your initial enrollment period based on your age is

Enter your birth date

Note that your enrollment period may differ if you currently have a disability or have certain medical conditions.

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2. How do I sign up for Medicare?

There are a couple of ways to sign up for Medicare. If you apply for retirement or disability benefits through Social Security, it will automatically include an application for Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

If you are interested in signing up only for Medicare, you can submit an application on the Social Security Administration website. You can apply for Medicare Parts C and D at Medicare.gov.

It's important to note that you must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), as well as a Medicare account number in order to sign up for Part C or D.

You can also apply for Medicare by calling 1-800-772-1213.

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3. What documents do I need to apply for Medicare?

In order to apply for Medicare, you will likely need your birth certificate, U.S driver's license or passport, Social Security number, current health insurance information, tax records (W-2), and records of military service, if applicable.

Helpful Guides to Medicare

How Much Does Medicare Cost in 2025?

How Much Does Medicare Cost in 2025?

by Talon Abernathy
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Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans for 2025

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What is the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in 2025?

What is the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in 2025?

by Cate Deventer

Read the latest updates on Medicare

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Invitations for application for insurance may be made through QW Insurance Solutions, LLC ("QWIS"), a separate subsidiary of QuoteWizard, LLC ("QuoteWizard"), a LendingTree subsidiary, or through its designated agents, only where licensed and appointed. QWIS is a non-government licensed health insurance agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Find licensing information for QWIS.

Callers will be directed to a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Supplement insurance and/or Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations. Calls will be routed to a licensed insurance agent who can provide you with further information about the insurance plans offered by one or more nationally recognized insurance companies. Each of the organizations they represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.

Availability of benefits and plans varies by carrier and location and may be 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. Currently we represent 73 organizations that offer 5,110 products in your area. Contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), to get information on all of your options.

These numbers provided are not specific to your area, but rather represent the number of organizations and the number of products available on a national basis. We will connect you with licensed insurance agents who can provide information about the number of organizations they represent and the number of products they offer in your service area. Not all plans offer all of these benefits. Benefits may vary by carrier and location. Limitations and exclusions may apply.

Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information contained on this website.

Medicare supplement insurance is available to people age 65 or older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, and in some states to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or end stage renal disease.

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits are offered by these carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Aspire Health Plan, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare and WellPoint.

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