What are Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D?

Part A is hospital insurance. Part B is medical insurance for doctor and outpatient care. Part C is Medicare Advantage, a private plan that delivers Medicare benefits. Part D is prescription drug coverage. A Medicare Supplement works with Original Medicare. It is not a replacement for it.

What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and a Supplement?

Medicare Advantage usually has a network, copays, and often includes drugs. A Supplement works with Original Medicare and generally lets you see providers that accept Medicare. Neither is automatically better. Doctors, prescriptions, travel, and how you want to pay should decide the fit.

When do I enroll if I am turning 65?

The Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months: the 3 months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. Signing up earlier in the window can help coverage start when you want it to. Missing the window can mean a gap or a late penalty unless another rule applies.

Can I delay Part B if I am still working?

Sometimes. If you or your spouse has coverage from a current employer with 20 or more employees, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Get that in writing. COBRA usually does not count as current employer coverage. HSA contributions generally stop once any part of Medicare starts.

Can I keep my doctor?

With Original Medicare, you can generally see any provider that accepts Medicare. With Medicare Advantage, the doctor has to be in that plan’s network. A directory can be wrong. Ask the office, and check the same names on Medicare.gov, before you rely on a list.

Does Medicare cover my prescriptions?

Original Medicare does not include routine prescriptions. You usually add a Part D plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage. What you pay depends on the plan, the pharmacy, and the drug. This site can show public 2026 estimates. It does not pick a plan.

When can I change my coverage?

The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 – December 7. Changes usually start January 1. People already in a Medicare Advantage plan may have another window from January 1 – March 31. Other Special Enrollment Periods depend on your facts. A Supplement follows different rules, including California’s Birthday Rule.

What is the California Birthday Rule?

If you already have a Medicare Supplement, California gives you a 60-day window starting on your birthday to apply for equal or lesser benefits, generally without health questions. It is not the same as the fall Annual Enrollment Period, and it does not apply to Medicare Advantage.

What does Medicare cost in 2026?

CMS set the standard Part B premium at $202.90 a month and the Part B deductible at $283. The Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. Higher incomes can pay more. Confirm the figures on Medicare.gov before you rely on them.

Where do I get local help in Los Angeles County?

Start with the Los Angeles County pages for your city, then the community lists for food, rides, help at home, and other public programs. Medisure Agency does not run those programs. For Medicare counseling that is not from an insurance agent, you can also call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.

Does this website enroll me in a plan?

No. The pages, calculators, and checkup are education. You decide what happens next. A licensed conversation with Alan is separate from enrolling.

Is Medisure Agency part of Medicare?

No. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. Alan Blackwell is a California licensed insurance agent.

Medicare FAQs | California | Medisure Agency

Common questions

What are Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D?: Part A is hospital insurance. Part B is medical insurance for doctor and outpatient care. Part C is Medicare Advantage, a private plan that delivers Medicare benefits. Part D is prescription drug coverage. A Medicare Supplement works with Original Medicare. It is not a replacement for it.
What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and a Supplement?: Medicare Advantage usually has a network, copays, and often includes drugs. A Supplement works with Original Medicare and generally lets you see providers that accept Medicare. Neither is automatically better. Doctors, prescriptions, travel, and how you want to pay should decide the fit.
When do I enroll if I am turning 65?: The Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months: the 3 months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. Signing up earlier in the window can help coverage start when you want it to. Missing the window can mean a gap or a late penalty unless another rule applies.
Can I delay Part B if I am still working?: Sometimes. If you or your spouse has coverage from a current employer with 20 or more employees, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Get that in writing. COBRA usually does not count as current employer coverage. HSA contributions generally stop once any part of Medicare starts.
Can I keep my doctor?: With Original Medicare, you can generally see any provider that accepts Medicare. With Medicare Advantage, the doctor has to be in that plan’s network. A directory can be wrong. Ask the office, and check the same names on Medicare.gov, before you rely on a list.
Does Medicare cover my prescriptions?: Original Medicare does not include routine prescriptions. You usually add a Part D plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage. What you pay depends on the plan, the pharmacy, and the drug. This site can show public 2026 estimates. It does not pick a plan.
When can I change my coverage?: The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 – December 7. Changes usually start January 1. People already in a Medicare Advantage plan may have another window from January 1 – March 31. Other Special Enrollment Periods depend on your facts. A Supplement follows different rules, including California’s Birthday Rule.
What is the California Birthday Rule?: If you already have a Medicare Supplement, California gives you a 60-day window starting on your birthday to apply for equal or lesser benefits, generally without health questions. It is not the same as the fall Annual Enrollment Period, and it does not apply to Medicare Advantage.
What does Medicare cost in 2026?: CMS set the standard Part B premium at $202.90 a month and the Part B deductible at $283. The Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. Higher incomes can pay more. Confirm the figures on Medicare.gov before you rely on them.
Where do I get local help in Los Angeles County?: Start with the Los Angeles County pages for your city, then the community lists for food, rides, help at home, and other public programs. Medisure Agency does not run those programs. For Medicare counseling that is not from an insurance agent, you can also call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.
Does this website enroll me in a plan?: No. The pages, calculators, and checkup are education. You decide what happens next. A licensed conversation with Alan is separate from enrolling.
Is Medisure Agency part of Medicare?: No. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. Alan Blackwell is a California licensed insurance agent.

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