What You Really Need to Know About Medicare: A Simple Guide for 2025

Navigating Medicare for the first time can feel overwhelming — the different parts, enrollment windows, and endless paperwork. At Safeguard Insurance Group, we’re here to make Medicare simple, affordable, and stress-free. In this guide, we break down the basics so you can feel confident in your healthcare choices.

What Is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for:

• People age 65 or older
• Younger individuals with certain disabilities
• People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS

It helps cover hospital stays, doctor visits, preventive services, and prescription drugs — depending on the type of plan you choose.

The 4 Parts of Medicare (Made Simple)

Here’s how Medicare is organized:

Part A – Hospital Insurance

Covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health services. Most people get Part A premium-free if they worked and paid Medicare taxes.

Part B – Medical Insurance

Covers outpatient care like doctor visits, lab work, preventive screenings, and durable medical equipment. Part B has a monthly premium (in 2025, it starts at around $175 for most people).

Part C – Medicare Advantage

An all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) offered by private insurance companies. These plans often include extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

Helps cover the cost of your medications. Plans are offered by private insurers and can be added to Original Medicare or included in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Do I Need to Enroll in All Parts?

Not necessarily. The right plan depends on your health, income, prescriptions, and budget. That’s where we come in. Our licensed advisors help you compare your options — at no cost to you.

When Should I Enroll in Medicare?

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) starts 3 months before your 65th birthday and lasts 7 months total. Miss it and you could face lifetime penalties, especially for Part B and Part D.

There are also:

• Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – Mar 31)
• Special Enrollment Periods for job loss, moving, or other life events

What Does Medicare Not Cover?

Original Medicare doesn’t cover:

• Routine dental, vision, or hearing
• Long-term care 
• Most prescription drugs
• Foreign travel emergencies

That’s why many people choose a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan for extra coverage.

How Safeguard Insurance Group Can Help

We don’t just help you “sign up.” We walk you through the whole process:

✅ Compare plans in your area
✅ Check your doctors and prescriptions
✅ See if you qualify for extra help or low-income subsidies
✅ Make sure you're not overpaying for coverage
✅ Support you even after enrollment

And remember — we work for you, not the insurance companies.

Ready to Explore Your Medicare Options?

Let us simplify Medicare for you. Call us at (561) 954-4466 or click below to schedule your free Medicare review.