Free resource from Benefits Nerds
The Medicare Made Simple Checklist
Everything you need to do — and the traps to avoid — in plain English. Print it, save it, stick it on the fridge.
1. Know your timeline
- Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months long: it starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after.
- Already 65 and covered through work? You may be able to delay Part B without penalty — confirm before you decide.
- Mark October 15 – December 7 on your calendar: the Annual Enrollment Period, when anyone can switch plans for the next year.
2. Learn the four parts (plain English)
- Part A — hospital coverage. Most people pay $0 premium for it.
- Part B — doctor visits and outpatient care. Has a monthly premium.
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) — a private-carrier bundle of A + B, usually with drug coverage and extras like dental or vision.
- Part D — prescription drug coverage. If you skip it without other drug coverage, a late penalty can follow you for life.
- Medigap (Supplement) — works alongside Original Medicare to cover the gaps. You generally choose Medigap or Advantage, not both.
3. Before you pick any plan, ask
- Are my doctors in this plan’s network?
- Are my prescriptions on the formulary, and what tier are they?
- What is the maximum I could pay out-of-pocket in a bad year?
- Does it cover me when I travel or spend winters elsewhere?
- What do the dental, vision, and hearing extras actually include?
4. Avoid the classic mistakes
- Missing the Part B enrollment window — the penalty is permanent.
- Assuming a $0-premium plan is free — check copays and the out-of-pocket max.
- Never re-checking your plan — formularies and networks change every single year.
- Going it alone — a licensed agent costs you nothing and has seen your situation a hundred times.
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Tip: use your browser's Print option to save this checklist as a PDF.