The Four Parts of Medicare
Medicare isn't one thing — it's four separate programs that cover different things, have different costs, and work in ways that confuse even healthcare professionals. Here's what each one actually is.
Deductible: $1,632 per benefit period
Deductible: $257/year · 20% coinsurance after
Varies widely by plan and location
New in 2025: $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage — This Choice Matters More Than Anything
When your parent turns 65 (or when you're helping them through this process), the single most consequential decision is whether to stay with Original Medicare (Parts A + B) or switch to Medicare Advantage (Part C). Original Medicare gives maximum flexibility — any doctor, any hospital, anywhere in the country — with gaps you fill through a Medigap supplement. Medicare Advantage bundles everything but limits you to a network. Neither is universally better. It depends entirely on your parent's health, medications, preferred doctors, and how much they travel.
The Coverage Gaps That Blindside Families
Medicare covers a great deal. But the gaps — the things it explicitly does not cover — are where families get financially devastated. These are the ones that come up most often.
⚠️ The Biggest Misconception in Elder Care
Medicare does NOT cover long-term custodial care — the help with bathing, dressing, eating, and daily activities that most people picture when they think of "nursing home care." This is the most expensive care your parent may ever need, and Medicare pays almost none of it. Medicaid does — but only after assets are spent down to very low levels. Long-term care insurance (if your parent has it) may help. This is why the legal and financial conversation cannot wait.
Here is what Original Medicare does not cover in 2026:
Medigap & Supplement Plans Explained
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans are sold by private insurers to cover what Original Medicare doesn't — primarily the 20% coinsurance and deductibles. If your parent has Original Medicare, a Medigap plan is almost always worth having.
What it covers
What it covers
What it covers
The Best Time to Buy a Medigap Plan Is When Your Parent First Enrolls in Part B
During the 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that begins when your parent is 65 and enrolled in Part B, insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions. After this window closes, they can — and often do. If your parent missed this window and has health conditions, buying supplemental coverage becomes much harder and more expensive. This is one of the most consequential timing decisions in Medicare.
Quick Coverage Checker
Select the care situations your parent is currently dealing with or anticipating. We'll tell you what Medicare covers, what it doesn't, and what to do about the gaps.
What is your parent currently dealing with?
Check all that apply — then see what Medicare actually covers for each.
Medicare Enrollment Deadlines That Actually Matter
Missing Medicare enrollment deadlines can result in permanent premium penalties and coverage gaps. These are not bureaucratic inconveniences — they are costly mistakes that follow your parent for life.
Your State Has Free Medicare Counseling — Use It
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers free, unbiased counseling from trained volunteers — not insurance salespeople. They will sit with you, review your parent's specific situation, and help compare plans with zero agenda. This is genuinely one of the best free resources available to families navigating Medicare. Find your state's SHIP program at medicare.gov/talk-to-someone.
Which Medicare Path Is Right for Your Parent?
Find the Right Medicare Path
Answer three questions about your parent's situation and we'll recommend a starting direction. This is not a substitute for professional counseling — but it's a helpful place to start.
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