New to Medicare

Find the answers you need

If you’re eligible for Medicare, or soon will be, congratulations. To tailor coverage that fits your needs and budget, it’s important to understand your benefits.

Medicare provides valuable protection against high medical costs, but it doesn’t cover everything. We can help you make informed and confident Medicare choices.

Follow these steps

Step 1: Get to know Original Medicare

Medicare is a government health insurance program for Americans who are 65 or older and younger people who have certain disabilities and receive Social Security benefits. Medicare was first created in two parts, Part A and Part B. Together, they’re called Original Medicare.

Part A

Hospital coverage

Original Medicare

Partial coverage for:

  • Inpatient hospital stay
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Hospice
  • Home care

Learn more about Part A

Part B

Medical coverage

Original Medicare

Partial coverage for:

  • Doctors visits
  • Surgery
  • Lab tests
  • Medical equipment
  • Preventive exams

Learn more about Part B

Medicare step-by-step guide

Download our free Step-by-Step Guide

Use this guide to make understanding Medicare easier.

Download Step-by-Step Guide - English [COMING SOON]

Download Step-by-Step Guide - Spanish [COMING SOON]

Step 2: Learn how to cover what Original Medicare doesn't

You can add additional coverage, which is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, to help pay for costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.

View our Medicare plans

Part C

Medicare Advantage plans

Private insurers and health plans

Similar to Parts A & B with predictable out-of-pocket costs and more coverage.

Often fully covers:

  • Wellness services
  • Vision exams
  • Hearing exams
  • Dental exams (preventive and/or comprehensive)

Often partially covers:

  • Eye glasses
  • Hearing aids

Learn more about Part C

Part D

Prescription drug plans

Private insurers and health plans

Helps with the cost of prescription drugs not covered by Original Medicare.

Covers some:

  • Prescription drugs

Learn more about Part D

Step 3: Enroll at the right time

Your Initial Enrollment Period into Original Medicare is a seven-month window — from three months before your 65th birthday month to three months after your 65th birthday month. Coverage can begin as soon as the first day of the month you turn 65.

Learn more about Medicare enrollment

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Enrollment order

You must enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Part D prescription drug plan.

Social Security benefits

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

Disabled and under 65

If you are disabled and under 65, you will get Part A and Part B automatically after you’ve received disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months.

Working past 65

If you or your spouse plan to work past age 65, you may not need to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65.

Learn about working past 65

 

Step 4: How to enroll in a Minnesota Blue Cross Medicare plan

You can choose how you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Cost or Part D Prescription Drug plan.

Learn more about enrolling in a plan

Medicare doesn't have to be hard

Blue Cross Advisor Katie Giziewski

Our Blue Cross Advisors are here to:

  • Help you learn about Medicare basics and our plans
  • Assist you in finding a plan that meets your needs
  • Help you enroll in a plan

Meet with a Blue Cross Advisor for free

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Enroll by phone

Give us a call to speak to a Medicare expert.

1-855-579-7658

(TTY call 711)

Help is available from
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, daily

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Medicare Workshops

Learn about Medicare and your plan choices at a free, no obligation, in-person or virtual workshop.

Register for a Workshop