Medicare terrain is easy to get lost in. We map it out with you — plain language, licensed guides and a side-by-side look at every route available in your area. Free from first step to final waypoint.
Map 1 — The Medicare Terrain
Each part of Medicare covers a different stretch of ground. Here's what you'll find at every waypoint.
Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice and some home health services. Most people pay no premium.
Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab work and durable medical equipment. A monthly premium applies.
An all-in-one alternative offered by private carriers. Bundles Parts A and B, often with drug, dental and vision coverage included.
Standalone prescription drug coverage from private carriers. Each plan has its own formulary, pharmacy network and tier pricing.
A short, well-signposted walk. Most people reach the end in under twenty minutes.
Tell us your ZIP code, your age and the prescriptions you take. That's the whole intake — no paperwork, no medical exam.
A licensed guide surveys every plan available in your county across 30+ carriers and flags the ones worth a closer look.
Costs, networks, drug coverage and extras laid side by side in plain language — so the trade-offs are obvious before you decide.
We handle the enrollment paperwork and stay with you afterwards — through claims questions and every annual review.
Start at Marker 1Government-run Parts A and B. Go to any doctor who accepts Medicare, nationwide.
Private all-in-one plans. Network-based, usually with extras bundled in.
| Feature | Route A · Original Medicare | Route B · Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | Part B premium applies | Often $0 plus Part B |
| Provider Choice | Any Medicare provider | Network-based |
| Prescription Coverage | Separate Part D needed | Usually included |
| Dental & Vision | Not included | Commonly included |
| Out-of-Pocket Cap | No annual cap | Annual maximum applies |
| Referrals Required | Not required | Varies by plan type |
● Included · ○ Not included · ▲ Varies — Plan features differ by carrier, county and plan year. A licensed guide can confirm specifics for your area.
Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. Plans chosen in this window take effect January 1.
Miss the window and you may wait a full year for the next opening
Get My Bearings NowWe're an independent guide service, not a carrier. That means we can show you every route on the map — including the ones that pay us least.
"We're paid by carriers — never by you."
Our guidance never costs you anything. Plan premiums are identical whether you enroll with us or on your own.
Every guide is state-licensed, annually certified and trained on the current plan year's rules.
No carrier owns us and none can buy a better position. You see the full terrain, not a sponsored slice.
We survey plans from more than thirty national and regional carriers across every county we serve.
Enrollment isn't the end of the trail. We handle claims questions and re-check your plan every year.
"I'd been circling the same four plans for weeks. One conversation and the right route was obvious. They never once pushed me."
"My guide caught that my two prescriptions weren't on the formulary I was about to pick. Saved me real money this year."
"Turning 65 felt like being handed a map in another language. They walked me through every waypoint, free of charge."
Nothing. Our guidance is completely free to you. We're compensated by the insurance carriers when someone enrolls, and plan premiums are set by the carrier — they're the same whether you enroll through us or directly.
Your Initial Enrollment Period spans the seven months around your 65th birthday. After that, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 each year. Certain life events — moving, losing employer coverage — open a Special Enrollment Period.
With Original Medicare you can see any provider who accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans use networks, so we check your specific doctors and preferred hospitals against each plan's directory before you commit.
Your current coverage generally rolls over to the next year, and you may have to wait until the following Open Enrollment to change it. Medicare Advantage members get a limited window from January 1 to March 31 to switch. Late enrollment penalties can also apply to Parts B and D.
It's usually wise. If you go 63 or more days without creditable drug coverage, a permanent late enrollment penalty is added to your premium for as long as you have Part D. Many people choose a low-cost plan purely to avoid that.
We review plans from 30+ national and regional carriers available in your county. Because we're independent, we can present every route on the map rather than a single carrier's catalogue.
A licensed guide will map your options, answer your questions and help you enroll. No pressure, no fees, no obligation at any point.