Specialty coverage
Independent reporting on Medicare — Advantage, Medigap, Part D, enrollment, and beneficiary tools. A trusted specialty inside a broader publication.
Cornerstone guide
Today's Report
A new analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) suggests that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans could be overpaid by more than $1 trillion over the next decade. This projection, based on data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), indicates rising costs that may impact all Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare · Daily
The Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is a powerful tool to track your health care costs, detect potential errors, and understand your benefits. Learn how to read and use this important document to advocate for yourself.
Medicare · Daily
Many people skim or ignore their Medicare Summary Notice, but this document is a powerful tool for beneficiaries. Learning to read it can help you track your care and protect your benefits.
Medicare · Daily
Many Medicare beneficiaries overlook a crucial opportunity shortly after enrolling: the 'Welcome to Medicare' preventive visit. This free, one-time check-in isn't a physical exam, but it sets the stage for a healthier future and can help you avoid unexpected costs later on.
Medicare · Daily
Medicare offers a yearly wellness visit at no cost to you. This is an important opportunity to discuss your health and future care with your doctor, even if you feel perfectly fine. It's distinct from a physical exam and focuses on proactive health planning.
Today's Report
New analyses from the Congressional Budget Office and Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicate that Medicare Advantage plans are costing Medicare significantly more than traditional Medicare, potentially impacting all beneficiaries.
Medicare · Daily
Medicare plans can change each year, and so can your health needs. Taking a proactive approach to review your coverage annually can save you money, ensure access to needed care, and provide peace of mind.
Today's Report
A new analysis suggests that Medicare Advantage plans are projected to cost Medicare an additional $1 trillion over the next decade due to higher payments compared to traditional Medicare. These rising costs could lead to higher Part B premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare · Daily
Medicare plans can change yearly, and so can your health needs or financial situation. Understanding how and when to review your options is key to ensuring you have the right coverage, avoiding unexpected costs, and making the most of your benefits.
Medicare Advantage
Part C plans, networks, extras
Medigap
Supplemental coverage plans A–N
Advantage vs Medigap
Side-by-side comparison
Part D
Prescription drug coverage
Enrollment
AEP, OEP, SEPs, and deadlines
Eligibility
Who qualifies, and when
Plan Finder
Tools to compare coverage
Carrier Reviews
Primary-source carrier reporting
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, and for younger adults with certain disabilities or end-stage conditions. It covers more than 65 million Americans — and yet, for most people approaching eligibility, the program still feels opaque. There are four parts, dozens of private plans, overlapping enrollment windows, and rules that shift year to year. The Health Almanac exists to make sense of it, without the sales pitch that shapes most of what you'll read elsewhere.
Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health. Most people pay no premium because they (or a spouse) paid into Medicare through payroll taxes. Part B covers doctors, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. It carries a monthly premium adjusted by income. Together, Parts A and B are called Original Medicare.
Part C, better known as Medicare Advantage, is a private alternative that bundles A, B, and usually D into a single plan — often with dental, vision, and gym benefits, but with network restrictions and prior authorization rules. Part D covers prescription drugs, sold as a standalone plan or built into an Advantage plan.
Nearly every Medicare choice flows from one fork in the road: Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare paired with a Medigap policy? Advantage plans typically have low premiums and extra benefits but restrict you to a network and require plan approval for many services. Original Medicare plus Medigap costs more up front but lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare, with predictable out-of-pocket costs and no referrals.
The catch: in most states, you have one guaranteed window to buy Medigap without medical underwriting — the six months after your Part B starts. Miss it, and insurers can price you out or turn you down for pre-existing conditions. That single rule reshapes the calculus for anyone leaning toward Advantage as a starting point.
Your Initial Enrollment Period is the seven-month window around your 65th birthday. The Annual Election Period (October 15 – December 7) is when anyone can switch Advantage plans, join or change Part D, or move between Original Medicare and Advantage. There is also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) for people already on an Advantage plan, plus a handful of Special Enrollment Periods triggered by life events. Full timing rules live on our enrollment guide. For who qualifies and when, see eligibility.
The most common — and most expensive — mistake is treating Medicare like employer coverage: picking whatever has the lowest premium, then discovering the network, formulary, or prior-authorization rules don't fit your life. A close second is assuming you can switch back to Medigap freely later. In practice, once you're outside your guaranteed-issue window, that door often closes.
The Almanac's ongoing carrier reviews and plan finder are built to help you avoid both — with primary-source reporting instead of the commission-driven comparison sites that dominate search results.