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If you sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan, you will also need to sign up for a prescription drug plan also known as Part D, even if you are not taking any medications. The government will penalize you 1% of the national base beneficiary premium by the number of uncovered months. For example, if you were uncovered for 12 months, you would owe 12% of the national base beneficiary premium. This penalty will be part of your Part D premium for ever.

Medicare is not free. Medicare Part A is free as long as you have worked 40 quarters. Medicare Part B has a standard monthly cost of $185 dollars. You could pay more for your Medicare Part B depending on your adjusted gross income, this is also known as Income related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA).

Medicare Part A is for hospitalization, helps pay for anything that takes place while you are in the hospital. Medicare Part B is for outpatient doctor services. Medicare Part C is Advantage plan, and you have to stay in the advantage plans network of doctors. The Advantage plan generally will cost you more out of pocket when you use them. The typical out of pocket maximum is $5300 a year. The Medicare Part D is a stand-alone prescription drug plan. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan the Part D is already included. If you choose a Medicare Supplement, you will need to purchase a Part D plan. Medicare Part was changed in 2025, the maximum out of pocket a consumer can pay is $2,000.00 for the year.

You may or may not be able to keep your doctors. If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, you will be required to stay in a network. If your doctor is not in the network, then you would pay a higher cost to see them. If you sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan, your chances are higher that you will still be able to see your current doctor. Medicare Supplement plans do not have a network; you just have to see doctors that accept Medicare.

In general, you should sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during your initial enrollment period, which starts three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month of your birthday and ends three months after that month. If you do not sign up during this period, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

If you or a spouse is still working and have health coverage through an employer, you will not have to sign up for Medicare Part B.