Turning 65? Let’s Make Medicare Easier to Understand.

If you're approaching age 65, you're probably receiving a lot of mail, phone calls and advertisements about Medicare.

It can become overwhelming very quickly.

Before choosing coverage, it helps to understand the differences between:

Original Medicare
Medicare Parts A and B provide your basic hospital and medical coverage.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare and can help pay some of the costs that Medicare doesn't cover.

Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and provide your Medicare benefits through the plan. Many include additional benefits, but provider networks, costs and benefits can vary.

Medicare Part D
Part D provides prescription drug coverage. The best plan for one person may not be the best plan for another because formularies, pharmacies and medications matter.

Your doctors, prescriptions, preferred pharmacies, budget and healthcare needs should all be considered.

My job is to help you understand the differences so you can make a decision you're comfortable with.

Already on Medicare?

Your needs can change from year to year. It can be worthwhile to periodically review your coverage to make sure it continues to meet your needs.

You've probably seen advertisements about Medicare plans that may put money back into your Social Security check.

These plans are real, but they aren't automatically the best choice for everyone.

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a Part B premium reduction, sometimes called a "giveback." The amount and availability depend on the plan and where you live.

A larger giveback doesn't necessarily mean better overall coverage.

Before choosing a plan based primarily on the giveback, it's important to also consider your doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, copays, maximum out-of-pocket costs and other benefits.

The goal isn't simply to find the biggest advertised benefit. It's to find coverage that makes sense for you.

Medicare mistakes can sometimes be difficult or expensive to correct.

Here are seven I encourage people approaching 65 to avoid.

Start learning about Medicare before your 65th birthday.

You don't have to choose coverage months in advance, but understanding your options early removes a lot of unnecessary pressure.

Some people are enrolled automatically. Others need to take action.

Don't rely on what happened when your friend or neighbor turned 65.

Find out what applies specifically to you.

If you're still working at 65, don't cancel your employer insurance simply because you've become Medicare eligible.

First understand how your employer coverage coordinates with Medicare and whether enrolling or delaying certain parts of Medicare makes sense.

Dental coverage sounds great.

So does a Part B giveback.

So does a $0 plan premium.

But none of those benefits should be considered in isolation.

Look at the complete coverage.

Two people living next door to each other could have very different prescription costs under the same plan.

Your medications and pharmacy matter.

Always include them when evaluating Medicare drug coverage.

Don't assume your physician accepts every Medicare Advantage plan.

Provider participation and networks can change.

Check the specific plan and your important doctors, specialists and hospitals before enrolling.

This is an especially important point.

When you're first eligible, you may have protections that allow you to purchase Medicare Supplement coverage without medical underwriting.

Those protections don't necessarily last forever.

Depending on when and why you're changing coverage, your health history could potentially affect your ability to purchase certain Medicare Supplement coverage later.

Understand this before making your initial Medicare decision.