Medicare, made simple

Independent guidance across every part of Medicare.

Coverage types we help with

Medicare Part A (Hospital)
Medicare Part B (Medical)
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D)
Medicare Cost Plan
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Carriers we represent

HealthPartners Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Medica Allina Health | Aetna Humana UnitedHealthcare Delta Dental of Minnesota

Carrier and plan availability varies by county and year — we’ll confirm exactly what’s offered where you live.

Enrollment & renewal

⏰ Annual Enrollment: Oct 15 – Dec 7. Have questions about your options? Contact us.

Turning 65?

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window: the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after. If you’re already taking Social Security, Parts A and B usually start automatically; if not, you enroll through Social Security. Still working with employer coverage? You may be able to delay Part B without penalty — but the size-of-employer rules matter, so this is worth a conversation before your window closes.

Special Enrollment Periods

Life doesn’t wait for October. Losing employer coverage, moving out of a plan’s service area, qualifying for Extra Help, or certain other events open a Special Enrollment Period — a window to make changes outside the annual calendar. Each SEP has its own clock, most commonly two months. If your situation just changed, ask before assuming you have to wait.

Part D prescription drug carriers

Carrier and plan availability varies by county and year — we’ll confirm exactly what’s offered where you live.

SilverScript Humana MedicareBlue Rx Wellcare

Common questions

I'm turning 65. What should I do first?

Start about three months before your 65th birthday — that's when your Initial Enrollment Period opens (it runs three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after). First, decide whether you'll enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, which you do through Social Security, not through us or any insurance company. If you're already drawing Social Security, you'll be enrolled automatically; if not, you'll need to sign up at ssa.gov. Once Parts A and B are in place, the real decisions begin: how to cover the costs Medicare doesn't, and whether you need drug coverage. That second part is where a conversation with us helps — but the Social Security step comes first, and it's yours to do.

What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2026?

The standard Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 per month — up $17.90 from 2025. Higher-income households pay more under IRMAA, the income-related adjustment — the income brackets and surcharge amounts are on Medicare.gov. Figure from the official CMS announcement (November 2025); we update this each fall when the new year's number is announced.

Source: Federal Register CMS-8091-N — figures last verified July 29, 2026.

What are the Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles for 2026?

For 2026, the Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 — and note it applies per benefit period, not per year, so it can occur more than once. The Part B annual deductible is $283. Both from the official CMS announcements (November 2025); updated here each fall.

Sources: Federal Register CMS-8089-N; Federal Register CMS-8091-N — figures last verified July 29, 2026.

What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2026?

For 2026, your out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs are capped at $2,100 for the year, and no Part D plan may charge a deductible higher than $615. The cap is one of the most consequential recent changes in Medicare — once you hit it, covered drugs cost you nothing more that year. From CMS's official 2026 Part D guidance; updated here each fall.

Source: CMS Final CY2026 Part D Redesign — figures last verified July 29, 2026.

What's the difference between AEP and OEP, and when are they?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 every year. That's when anyone on Medicare can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change drug plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, with changes taking effect January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs January 1 through March 31, and it's narrower: it's only for people already on a Medicare Advantage plan, and it allows one switch — to another Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare. Outside those windows, you generally need a qualifying event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period — Medicare.gov keeps the full list. If you're not sure which window applies to you, ask us — the chat, an email to help@mnhealthagents.com, or walk-in office hours.