Medicare 101
At Solutions 4 Seniors, we focus on helping seniors make sense of their options—offering clear guidance, professional advice, and personalized support every step of the way.
Turning 65
Sixty-five is the year you become eligible for Medicare. Learn what you need to know and do when you turn 65. We'll walk you through the essential facts about this significant milestone.
Types of Plans
Many Medicare beneficiaries ask similar questions about Medicare coverage options, benefits, and more. See Medicare 101 for a high-level overview of plan types and options.
Key Dates & Timelines
Knowing when you can enroll, switch, or update your Medicare coverage is just as important as understanding the plans themselves. Learn about key enrollment windows like IEP, AEP, OEP, and SEPs so you can avoid penalties and get the right coverage at the right time.
Turning 65 & Medicare
Turning 65 is a significant milestone. One of the most important aspects of this age is becoming eligible for Medicare, the federal health insurance program. It’s essential to understand your options, deadlines, and available resources. Below, we’ll walk through what to expect and how to navigate this stage.
For many people, Medicare eligibility begins three months before the month of their 65th birthday and continues for three months after—this is known as your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Enrolling during this time helps you avoid late penalties and ensures continuous coverage. Whether you’re retiring or continuing to work, it’s important to evaluate how Medicare will coordinate with any existing health coverage and whether additional plans like Medicare Advantage, Part D (prescription drug coverage), or a Medicare Supplement plan might be right for you.
Beyond enrollment, it’s helpful to take time to assess your personal health needs and budget. Medicare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and there are multiple plan types and carriers to choose from. You’ll also want to consider coverage for things like dental, vision, and hearing, which Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Getting guidance from a licensed Medicare specialist can simplify the decision-making process and help ensure you’re confident in your choices as you begin this new chapter.
Types of Medicare Plans
When you become eligible for Medicare, understanding the different types of coverage available is key to making confident, informed decisions about your healthcare. Medicare isn’t a one-size-fits-all program—it’s made up of several parts, each designed to cover specific services and benefits. Some work together, while others offer alternative ways to receive your care. Choosing the right combination of plans depends on your health needs, lifestyle, and financial situation.

From hospital stays and doctor visits to prescription drugs, dental, and vision, Medicare coverage can be customized to fit your personal circumstances. Whether you prefer the flexibility of Original Medicare or the convenience of Medicare Advantage, it’s important to understand what each option provides—and what it doesn’t. Below, you’ll find an overview of the key Medicare components to help you evaluate your options and build a plan that gives you peace of mind.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health plan that has two parts: Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical). After you pay a deductible, Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount, and you pay your share (coinsurance and deductibles).
Medicare Part A (Hospital)
Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home healthcare services.
Medicare Part B (Medical)
Covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)
Also called Medicare Part C, these plans combine the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) into a single plan with additional coverage, like dental, vision, hearing, wellness, and more.
Medicare Part D (Drug Coverage)
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) work in tandem with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicare Advantage plans to provide prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, bridges the coverage gap left by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and covers costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Key Dates & Timelines
Navigating Medicare enrollment is all about timing. Understanding the key periods when you can sign up, make changes, or adjust your coverage ensures you get the benefits you need without incurring unnecessary penalties.
Missing key deadlines can result in delayed coverage or financial penalties, especially for Part B and Part D. To avoid this, mark your calendar, evaluate your healthcare needs annually, and consider consulting a Medicare specialist to review your options during each enrollment period.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
A 7-month window when you can first sign up for Medicare. It starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. During this time, you can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, as well as Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Part D (prescription drug coverage).
Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)
The time when you can first join a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). If you're signing up for Parts A and B when you turn 65, your ICEP is the same as your IEP. If you delay Part B, your ICEP begins 3 months before your Part B coverage starts.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, individuals with Medicare can make changes to their coverage, such as switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, or changing prescription drug plan Changes made during AEP take effect on January 1 of the following year
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) occurs annually from January 1 to March 31. During this time, individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make one change to their coverage. This includes switching to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage) or returning to Original Medicare. If switching to Original Medicare, you can also enroll in a separate Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
The Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs annually from January 1 to March 31. This period is for individuals who did not enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B when they were first eligible and missed their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Coverage for those enrolling during the GEP typically begins the first day of the month following the month of enrollment. For example, if you enroll in January, your coverage would start on February 1.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
The Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows you to make changes to your Medicare coverage outside the standard enrollment periods due to specific qualifying events. These periods vary in length and timing depending on the situation, but generally, they allow you to enroll in, switch, or disenroll from Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans.