How Medicare is built
Three questions. Then a snapshot. No score. Not a plan pick.
Tools
Tools
Every calculator, screener, and worksheet on this site. Each card says what it does. The plan comparison uses public CMS files and does not pick a plan. Nothing here enrolls you.
Start hereMy Medicare CheckupOne path: your situation, doctors to verify, prescriptions, coverage, and a summary. Not a plan ranking.CalculatorMedicare late enrollment penalty calculatorPart B and Part D sketches for 2026. Not a bill from Social Security.TradeoffsMedicare trade-off navigatorCost, doctors, and where you get care. Each choice writes a question. No ranking and no plan pick.ComparisonCompare Medicare Advantage plans2026 or 2027 CMS benefits by California ZIP. You choose the plan year. Compare up to five plans. No best-plan ranking.ComparisonCompare Medicare Supplement lettersPlan G, Plan N, and the other standardized letters. No prices until a rate sheet is added.DoctorsWhich plans include this doctor?Check public plan directories for a California doctor. The list changes. Confirm with the office.ComparisonCheck drug costsEnter a California ZIP and your drugs. See the 30-day copay and whether a drug needs approval. No best-plan pick.ComparisonCompare Part D drug plansStand-alone drug plans for California. You choose 2026 or 2027. Premiums and deductibles.I’m turning 65
Know when to enroll—and when you may be able to wait. Get clear answers about employer coverage, COBRA, and HSAs.
- WorksheetWhich enrollment window am I in?See whether Initial, General, Annual, Advantage, Medigap, or a Special Enrollment Period may be open.
- CalculatorMedicare eligibility dateSee when Part A and Part B can start at 65, and your Initial Enrollment window.
- WorksheetStill working at 65?A sketch of delaying Part B with employer coverage, HSAs, and the clock after coverage ends.
- WorksheetHSA stop date when Part A startsThe last month you can contribute to an HSA is the month before Medicare Part A starts.
- WorksheetCOBRA vs Medicare at 65COBRA is not the same as current employer coverage. Delaying Part B for COBRA can mean a penalty.
- CalculatorMedigap Open Enrollment windowThe 6-month Medigap window after you are 65 and enrolled in Part B — not the Birthday Rule.
- CalculatorPart B late enrollment penaltyEstimate the 10% Part B surcharge for each full 12-month delay.
- CalculatorPart D late enrollment penaltyEstimate the monthly Part D penalty using the 2026 national base premium.
I already have Medicare
Wondering if you can change your Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap coverage? The rules—and the timing—are different for each.
- WorksheetWhich enrollment window am I in?See whether Initial, General, Annual, Advantage, Medigap, or a Special Enrollment Period may be open.
- WorksheetAnnual review checklistDoctors, drugs, hospitals, and suppliers to gather before October 15. Print and keep.
- CalculatorCalifornia Medigap Birthday RuleFind the 60-day window that starts on your birthday if you already have Medigap.
Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
There are two main ways to get your Medicare coverage. Neither is automatically better—the right fit depends on your doctors, prescriptions, budget, travel, and healthcare needs.
- CalculatorOriginal Medicare cost estimatorAdd 2026 Part A and Part B figures for a simple yearly sketch — not a plan quote.
- CalculatorPlan G vs Plan N cost sketchYou type the premiums. We add 2026 Part B deductible and Plan N copays. Not a quote.
- WorksheetSNF 3-day stay and benefit periodOriginal Medicare skilled nursing: the 3-day inpatient rule, days 1–100, and 2026 coinsurance.
Prescriptions
Part D, the yearly cap, spreading costs, and Extra Help copays.
- CalculatorPart D $2,100 capSee how close you may be to the 2026 yearly Part D out-of-pocket cap.
- CalculatorPrescription Payment Plan sketchSpread remaining 2026 Part D out-of-pocket across the months left in the year.
- ScreenerExtra Help copay sketch2026 Extra Help is generally full Extra Help. Compare copay levels — including $0 after the cap.
Paying for Medicare
Premiums, IRMAA, Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, and Medi-Cal.
- ScreenerExtra Help screenerSee whether 2026 Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy) income and resource limits might apply. Not a determination.
- ScreenerExtra Help copay sketch2026 Extra Help is generally full Extra Help. Compare copay levels — including $0 after the cap.
- ScreenerMedicare Savings Programs screenerCalifornia 2026 QMB, SLMB, and QI sketch. Not a determination — apply through Medi-Cal.
- ScreenerMedi-Cal screener (65+ / disabled)California 2026 Aged & Disabled FPL sketch for people with Medicare. Not a determination — apply through the county.
- CalculatorIRMAA (higher-income premium)See 2026 Part B and Part D IRMAA using 2024 MAGI brackets from CMS.
Care in Los Angeles County
Doctors, hospitals, VA, and county help — not a national call center.
- WorksheetWhat to ask the doctor’s officePrint this page and hand it to the front desk. Have them write the answers on the lines.
- WorksheetMedical groups you may hearSee medical groups and IPAs observed in a Los Angeles County ZIP, then take those names to the doctor’s office to confirm.
- WorksheetVA, TRICARE, or FEHB — who pays first?A checklist, not a payment decision. Medicare, VA, TRICARE for Life, and FEHB stack differently.
Official tools
Use these for a complete plan list, an Extra Help decision, or free counseling. Not this website.
- OfficialMedicare.gov plan compareThe complete list of Medicare Advantage and Part D products in your ZIP code.
- OfficialExtra Help (Social Security)Apply for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy. SSA decides — not this website.
- OfficialBenefitsCalApply for Medi-Cal and Medicare Savings Programs in California.
- OfficialCalifornia HICAPFree Medicare counseling. 1-800-434-0222.
- Official1-800-MEDICARE1-800-633-4227. TTY 711.
- OfficialLos Angeles County Aging & Disabilities800-510-2020. Or dial 211.