Frequently asked questions.

The full FAQ — organized by Parts and Pieces, Enrollment Timing, Costs and Coverage, Working Past 65, and Helping a Parent — is being moved over from the master inventory. In the meantime, the most-asked questions:

What are the parts of Medicare?

Original Medicare has two parts: Part A (hospital, free for most people who paid in) and Part B (outpatient, has a monthly premium). On top of that, you choose one of two paths: Original Medicare with a Medigap (and a separate Part D prescription plan), or Medicare Advantage (Part C), which bundles A, B, and usually D, with a network.

When do I have to enroll?

The short answer: your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period straddles your 65th birthday — three months before, the month of, and three months after. There are exceptions if you have employer coverage. See the enrollment windows piece for the long answer.

What does Medicare cost?

Part A is free for most people. Part B has a standard premium (set annually; higher if your income is above thresholds). Part D and Medigap or Medicare Advantage each have their own premiums. There is no single number; the honest answer depends on your income, your state, and the path you choose.

Should I take Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

That is the central question of the decision, and it depends on things only you know — how you feel about networks, how much you travel, how predictable you want your costs to be, what is in the formularies near you. The Eight Movements walks through how to think about it.

Can I change my mind later?

Some choices, yes. Some choices, only during specific windows. One choice in particular — taking a Medigap at the right moment — is much harder to make later than at first eligibility. This is why timing matters more than people are usually told.

The full set of questions, organized by category and linkable by anchor, is coming soon. If a specific question is not answered here, ask Grace or write to dan@joinclear.ing.