Medicare, Made Simple.
Turning 65 or helping a parent navigate Medicare? We break down Parts A, B, C and D, enrollment windows, penalties to avoid, and what's new for 2027 — in plain English, with free one-on-one help.
Parts A–D, decoded
What each part covers and what each one costs you.
Enrollment windows
The 7-month window at 65 and every deadline after.
Penalties to avoid
Late enrollment penalties that last a lifetime — and how to dodge them.
Advantage vs. Medigap
The two very different paths after Parts A and B.
Medicare Parts, In Plain English
Original Medicare is Parts A and B. You can add Part D for drugs — or replace it all with Part C.
Part A — Hospital
Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice and some home health.
Usually $0 premium if you or a spouse worked 10+ years (40 quarters) paying Medicare taxes.
Part B — Medical
Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, lab tests, imaging, DME and preventive services.
Monthly premium that changes each year (announced every fall), plus an annual deductible.
Part C — Advantage
An all-in-one alternative: a private plan that bundles A, B and usually D, often with extras like dental, vision and hearing.
Premiums vary by plan; many are $0 beyond your Part B premium.
Part D — Drugs
Standalone prescription drug coverage (or included in Part C). Formularies and costs vary by plan.
Monthly premium set by each plan, plus copays at the pharmacy.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement): a separate private policy that fills Original Medicare's gaps — the 20% coinsurance, the Part A deductible, foreign travel coverage. It works only alongside Original Medicare, never with Part C.
Enrollment Windows & Penalties
Medicare rewards good timing — and penalizes missed windows for life.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Your first chance: the 7 months around your 65th birthday — 3 months before, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after. Enroll in the first 3 months and coverage starts the month you turn 65.
Annual Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
Every year, anyone with Medicare can switch Advantage plans, change drug coverage, or return to Original Medicare. Changes take effect January 1. There's also a Jan 1 – Mar 31 Advantage switch window.
General Enrollment (Jan 1 – Mar 31)
For those who missed their IEP. Coverage doesn't start until July 1 — and late-enrollment penalties apply, permanently. This is the window to avoid.
Late penalties (the part nobody warns you about)
10% added to your monthly premium for each full year you went without creditable coverage after turning 65 — for life.
1% of the national base premium added per month you go without drug coverage after eligibility — for life.
Covered by a large-employer plan (yours or a spouse's)? You get a Special Enrollment Period when that coverage ends — no penalty. Notify Medicare within 8 months.
2027 Costs at a Glance
Medicare premiums and deductibles are announced every fall for the coming year. These are the anchors to expect.
Part A premium
$0 with 10+ years of work credits
Otherwise a few hundred dollars a month
Part B premium
Monthly premium set each fall
Roughly $185–$205/month in recent years; most Social Security beneficiaries pay it straight from their check
Part B deductible
Annual deductible, changes yearly
Announced each fall for the coming year
Part D drug cap
$2,000 max out-of-pocket per year
Federal cap on prescription drug costs, part of the Inflation Reduction Act
Insulin
$35/month cap
For every Part D plan and insulin pump supply
Recommended vaccines
$0
Shingles, RSV, flu, pneumonia and more are free with the right coverage
Exact 2027 figures are published by CMS each fall. Higher-income households (over roughly $106,000 single / $212,000 married, based on your tax return from two years prior) pay more for Parts B and D through IRMAA surcharges. We can help you estimate yours.
Advantage or Medigap?
After Parts A and B, you choose one of two paths. This is the single biggest Medicare decision most people make.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Bundles A, B and usually drug coverage in one plan
- Often $0 extra premium beyond Part B
- May include dental, vision, hearing, gym benefits
- Provider networks — check your doctors first
- Copays each time you use care; annual out-of-pocket max
- Changing plans later is possible every year
Original Medicare + Medigap
- See any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, nationwide
- Predictable costs — Medigap fills most gaps
- Separate Part D drug plan needed
- Medigap premium on top of Parts A and B
- Best Medigap choices are at 65 — underwriting gets stricter later
- Medigap plans rarely change benefits
Neither is automatically better. Advantage wins on price and extras; Medigap wins on freedom and predictability. Your health, your doctors, and your budget decide. We'll lay out both with real plan numbers for your zip code — free.
Ready to Compare 2027 Medicare Plans?
Search official plan data on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, or let us walk you through it step by step — free, with no obligation.
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This page is for educational purposes only and is not insurance, legal, or tax advice. Plan details, subsidy rules, premiums and deadlines change every year and vary by state. Always confirm details with HealthCare.gov, your state Marketplace, Medicare.gov, or a licensed agent before making decisions. Kingdom Steward Solutions is an independent enrollment assistance organization.