Medicare Made Simple: A Plain-English Guide for Turning 65
Parts A, B, C and D, Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage, and the deadlines that can cost you money if you miss them.
$34.30 with early access (30% off). No payment today.
Sound familiar?
- Your 65th birthday is coming, and the mail is full of confusing offers.
- You can't tell the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap, or which one fits your doctors and prescriptions.
- You're still working and have employer coverage, and you don't know whether to sign up or wait.
- You've heard about lifetime late penalties and you're afraid of getting it wrong.
- Everyone you ask gives you a different answer, and many of them are selling something.
What you get
A concise video guide plus printable worksheets:
- The big picture. What Original Medicare covers (Part A for hospital care, Part B for medical care), what it doesn't, and where Parts C and D fit.
- Your enrollment window. The Initial Enrollment Period is seven months: the three months before your 65th birthday month, the month itself and the three months after. We show you how to find your exact dates.
- Still working? Decision guide. How employer coverage affects when you sign up for Part B and what a Special Enrollment Period is.
- Penalty explainer. How late enrollment penalties for Part B and Part D work, and how to avoid them.
- Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage. A side-by-side comparison of costs, provider networks, flexibility and trade-offs, without recommending a brand.
- Prescription drug coverage. How to compare Part D plans using your actual medications.
- Key dates calendar. Annual enrollment (October 15 to December 7), the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (January 1 to March 31), and the six-month Medigap open enrollment window that begins when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.
- Questions to ask. A checklist to use with any agent, plan or doctor's office.
Who it's for
- People turning 65 within the next 12 months
- Those retiring and moving from employer coverage
- Family members helping a parent navigate Medicare
Who it's not for
- People looking for plan quotes or a specific plan recommendation. We don't sell insurance and we don't earn commissions.
Price
$34.30early-access price, 30% offLaunch price $49
One-time payment at launch. No payment today.
FAQ
When should I sign up?
For most people the Initial Enrollment Period, the seven months around your 65th birthday month, is the key window. If you have employer coverage, other rules may apply. The guide helps you sort out which applies.
What's the penalty for signing up late?
For Part B, the premium can rise 10% for each full 12-month period you could have enrolled but didn't. For Part D, a monthly penalty can apply if you go without creditable drug coverage. The guide explains how these work and when exceptions apply.
Do you sell insurance or take commissions?
No. This is an educational guide only.
Is this updated each year?
Our plan is to update the guide annually, since costs and rules change. Early-access members will hear about updates.
What happens when I reserve?
You leave your email. At launch you get early access at 30% off. No payment today.
Disclaimer
Educational information only, not insurance, legal, financial or medical advice. Even Keel Studio is not affiliated with Medicare, CMS, the Social Security Administration or any government agency, and is not an insurance agency. For personalized help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or a licensed professional.