Understanding Medicare with Javier Alvarez Edited educational recording. The historical 2025 premium example and the overbroad all-options statement were removed. Introduction Hi, I'm Javier Alvarez, licensed insurance broker with Friendly Insurance Brokers. Whether you're turning sixty-five, already on Medicare, or helping a loved one figure it all out, this video is for you. Um, I'm gonna walk you through your Medicare options, Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage, Medigap supplements, Part D drug plans, enrollment periods, and what to expect in terms of costs. No confusing jargon, just clear, honest information. Let's get started. Medicare basics Medicare is a federal health insurance program run by the US government. It's primarily designed for Americans sixty-five and older, though it also covers certain younger individuals with qualifying disabilities or conditions. Medicare is divided into distinct parts, each covering different types of healthcare services. Part A — hospital insurance Part A is your hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and limited home health services. Here's the good news. Most people pay nothing for Part A as long as you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least ten years. Part B — medical insurance Part B is your medical insurance. It covers outpatient services, doctor visits, lab work, X-rays, preventive care, and durable medical equipment. Unlike Part A, Part B comes with a monthly premium. Medicare Advantage — Part C Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, gives you another way to get your Medicare benefits through a private insurer approved by Medicare. These plans must cover everything original Medicare covers, and many go further, bundling in dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage all in one plan. Medicare Advantage plans can have low or even zero premiums, though your provider network may be more limited. Medigap If you choose original Medicare Parts A and B, you'll still have out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. Medicare supplement plans, also called Medigap, are private insurance policies designed to cover those gaps. There are several standardized Medigap plans labeled by letters, each offering a different level of coverage, giving you more predictable healthcare expenses. Part D — prescription drugs Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. If you have original Medicare, you'll need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan offered by a Medicare-approved private insurer. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, drug coverage is often already included. Important: Skipping Part D when you're first eligible without other creditable drug coverage may result in a permanent late enrollment penalty. Enrollment periods Timing your Medicare enrollment is critical. When you turn sixty-five, you have a seven-month initial enrollment period starting three months before your birthday month, including your birthday month, and ending three months after. Every year, the annual enrollment period runs from October fifteenth through December seventh. That's when you can switch or join plans. Missing these windows can result in coverage gaps or permanent premium penalties. Understanding costs Medicare costs vary depending on which path you choose. With original Medicare, you pay the Part B premium plus out-of-pocket costs per service. Add a Medigap plan and Part D, and you get more predictability, usually at a higher monthly premium. Medicare Advantage plans often have lower premiums but may include co-pays and network restrictions. The best plan depends on your health, your doctors, and your budget. Speak with Javier Navigating Medicare doesn't have to be overwhelming, and you don't have to do it alone. Give us a call at five two zero three seven zero eight five six eight or visit us at friendlybrokeragency.com. I'm Javier Alvarez, and we're here to make Medicare friendly. Visual context Javier speaks on camera, followed by illustrated slides for Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D, enrollment periods and costs. The dated 2025 Part B price badge has been replaced with a note that the premium changes each year. No new words were synthesized. On-screen closing disclaimer 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 of your options.