Explore your Medicare options with confidence.

Your Initial Enrollment Period runs for seven months — the three months before you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. Annual Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and special enrollment periods may apply after qualifying life events.

Yes — completely. You never pay ExploreHealths anything. Licensed advisors are compensated by the insurance carriers when someone enrolls, and that compensation does not change your premium or the plan's price in any way.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement) works alongside Original Medicare to help pay your share of costs like deductibles and coinsurance. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with an all-in-one private plan that often bundles drug, dental and vision coverage. You cannot hold both at the same time.

Usually, yes. With Original Medicare you can see any provider who accepts Medicare. With Medicare Advantage it depends on the plan's network — which is exactly why our advisors check your specific doctors before recommending anything.

You'll generally keep your current coverage and have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period to make changes. A Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment window runs January 1 – March 31 for some members, and qualifying life events can open a Special Enrollment Period.

It's usually wise. If you go without creditable drug coverage for 63 days or more after becoming eligible, a late enrollment penalty is added to your premium permanently. Many people enroll in a low-cost Part D plan simply to avoid that penalty.