HEALTHY LIVING How to BY GARY GREENBERG E


ach year, millions of Americans become eligible for Medicare, the government-funded


program that offers low-cost healthcare to all seniors, no matter how fit or infirm they are. But people turning 65 have to


navigate a confusing labyrinth of options that seem to assault them from all sides, including missives through the mail and cyberspace, along with a seemingly constant stream of phone calls from people wanting to sell them policies. The scary thing is that some of the


decisions you have to make early on are not easily reversible, most notably whether to choose original Medicare or the bargain rate Medicare Advantage (MA), which has fewer upfront costs but more restricted coverage. That’s why experts say it pays to


do your homework. “It’s a decision that’s going to


affect you for the rest of your life,” notes Brandy Bauer, director of the federally funded State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) technical assistance center, which provides objective insurance counseling to Medicare- eligible people. “That means getting unbiased


advice. Don’t ask your neighbor what they chose because it might not be right for you, and don’t rely on an insurance agent who’s trying


96 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | NOVEMBER 2025


Choose Right Medicare Plan


Here’s why it really pays to do your homework. ::


to sell you a plan,” adds Bauer. A good first step is to check out the


government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website (www.cms.gov), which includes a Medicare plan finder to help you get acquainted with the various options. “The earlier you start thinking


about it, the better, and the CMS site is a good jumping-off point,” says David Meyers, an associate professor of health services, policy, and practice at Brown University’s School of Public Health, who has been researching data about Medicare and MA for years. “You don’t want to make that


decision without thoroughly investigating it.”


MEDICARE’S 4 PARTS The original, or traditional, version consists of Part A, which covers hospital expenses, and Part B, which covers 80% of costs for doctors and other medical services. Part C is MA, and Part D is the drug plan. The first important thing to


know is that if you’re not covered through your employer, or your spouse’s employer, you need to apply for Medicare within the three months before or after your 65th birthday month, which is your initial enrollment period. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties on premiums — as much as 10% for every year you delay — for the remainder of your life. There are other enrollment


The earlier you start thinking about it, the better, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services site is a good jumping-off point.”


—David Meyers, associate professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health


periods that allow you to sign up or change your plans each year, including Medicare open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 and Medicare Advantage open enrollment from Jan. 1 to March 31.


FIRST BIG DECISION Should you opt for Medicare or Medicare Advantage? Medicare is administered by the government, while MA is administered by private insurers who get paid a lump sum per patient by the government. Regardless of which


STRATEGY/TUMSASEDGARS/SHUTTERSTOCK / OPTIONS/DESIGNER491©ISTOCK


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