Medicare Learning Center

Medicare, made clear.

Explore simple guides, compare your coverage options, understand enrollment deadlines, and get help from a licensed advisor — no pressure, no jargon.

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Guides

Learn Medicare at your own pace

Eight plain-English guides that answer the questions most people have when they start looking at Medicare.

Popular

Medicare Basics

A plain-English overview of the four parts of Medicare and what each one covers.

5 min readRead Guide
Popular

Supplement vs. Advantage

The single most important Medicare decision — compared side by side, in plain language.

7 min readRead Guide
Popular

When to Enroll

All the key enrollment periods explained, plus the penalties for missing them.

6 min readRead Guide

Part D Drug Plans

How to pick a Part D plan that actually covers your prescriptions — not just the cheapest one.

5 min readRead Guide

Medicare Costs

A complete breakdown of premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs in 2026.

4 min readRead Guide

Extra Help & Savings

Government programs that can lower your Medicare costs — many people qualify and don't know it.

4 min readRead Guide

How to Compare Plans

A simple checklist for comparing Medicare Supplement, Advantage, and Part D plans apples-to-apples.

4 min readRead Guide

What to Review Yearly

A 10-minute yearly check-up to make sure your plan still fits — Annual Enrollment is October 15 – December 7.

3 min readRead Guide
Find your path

Choose your situation

Tell us where you are today — we'll show you the guides that will help most.

Key Dates

The Medicare timeline

The dates you can't afford to miss — and what each one means.

  1. 3 months before turning 65

    Start of your Initial Enrollment Period

    Your 7-month window to sign up for Parts A, B, and a drug plan without any penalty. Start comparing now.

  2. The month you turn 65

    Coverage can begin

    If you enroll before your birthday month, your coverage can start on the 1st of your birthday month.

  3. 3 months after turning 65

    End of your Initial Enrollment Period

    Your last chance to enroll without penalty (unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, like losing employer coverage).

  4. October 15 – December 7

    Annual Enrollment Period

    Everyone with Medicare can change plans. Changes take effect January 1.

  5. January 1 – March 31

    Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

    If you're on Medicare Advantage, a second chance to switch plans or go back to Original Medicare.

  6. Anytime

    Special Enrollment Period

    Life events (moving, losing coverage, qualifying for Extra Help) can open a window outside the normal schedule.

  7. Every year, ~10 minutes

    Yearly plan review

    Plans change every year. A quick review during AEP keeps you on the best plan for your health and budget.

Common Questions

Answers in plain English

The questions we hear most often.

Still have questions? We can help.

A licensed insurance agent can walk you through your options in plain English — at no cost, with no pressure to buy anything.

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Reviewing plan options does not affect your current coverage unless you choose to enroll in a new plan.

SeniorPlanFinder.com is operated by Direct to Consumer Insurance Services, LLC and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.