Medicare Part A is your hospital coverage.

It helps pay for things like:

Inpatient hospital stays

Skilled nursing facility care

Hospice care

Some limited home health care

Most people qualify for Part A with no monthly premium if they’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

But here’s what many people don’t realize…

It’s not completely free.
There are still deductibles and out-of-pocket costs depending on how long you receive care.

Also, Part A only covers hospital-related services—
it does not cover doctor visits or outpatient care (that’s Medicare Part B).

Simple way to remember it:

Part A = Hospital
Not full coverage—just one piece of the puzzle.

Need help understanding how it all fits together?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we help you compare your options and make Medicare simple—so you can choose what fits your situation best.

Medicare Part B is your medical coverage.

It helps pay for things like:

Doctor visits

Outpatient care

Preventive services (like screenings and wellness visits)

Lab work, X-rays, and durable medical equipment

Unlike Part A, Part B does have a monthly premium—and most people pay it.

Here’s the important part…

Part B usually covers about 80% of approved medical costs.

That means you’re responsible for the other 20%, with no cap on how high that can go.

Why that matters:

This is where many people get surprised…

Without additional coverage, that 20% can add up quickly—especially with ongoing treatments or unexpected health issues.

Simple way to remember it:

Part B = Doctor & Medical
Covers everyday healthcare—but not everything.

Need help making sense of it all?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we help you understand your options and fill in the gaps—so you’re not left guessing when it matters most.

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).

These plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

What does it include?

Medicare Advantage plans combine:

Part A (hospital coverage)

Part B (medical coverage)

And most plans also include:

Prescription drug coverage (Part D)

Dental, vision, and hearing benefits

Fitness programs or other extra perks

Here’s the big difference…

With Medicare Advantage, you’re no longer using Original Medicare as your primary coverage.

Instead, the plan:

Has its own network of doctors and hospitals

Sets its own copays and rules

Usually includes a maximum out-of-pocket limit for the year

Why people choose it:

Lower upfront costs

Bundled coverage in one plan

Extra benefits not included in Original Medicare

But here’s the trade-off…

You may have to stay within a network

Referrals may be required

Costs can vary depending on how you use the plan

Simple way to remember it:

Part C = All-in-one alternative to Medicare

Need help deciding if it’s right for you?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we walk you through both sides—so you can choose what actually fits your doctors, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Medicare Part D is your prescription drug coverage.

It helps pay for the medications you pick up at the pharmacy.

How it works:

Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

Each plan has:

A list of covered drugs (called a formulary)

Different tiers that affect your cost

Copays or coinsurance for your prescriptions

Here’s what trips people up…

Not all plans cover the same medications the same way.

That means:

Your prescriptions might be cheaper on one plan…

And more expensive on another

Important to know:

If you don’t enroll in Part D when you’re first eligible—and don’t have other creditable drug coverage—you may face a lifetime late enrollment penalty.

Yeah… Medicare doesn’t forget 😅

Where you get Part D:

You can get prescription coverage by:

Adding a standalone Part D plan to Original Medicare

Or choosing a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that includes drug coverage

Simple way to remember it:

Part D = Drugs (prescriptions)

Need help choosing the right plan?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we compare plans based on your specific medications—so you’re not overpaying at the pharmacy.

The main difference comes down to how you receive your coverage and how you pay for care.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

This is an all-in-one plan that replaces Original Medicare.

Combines Part A, Part B, and often Part D

Usually has low or $0 monthly premiums

Uses networks (HMO or PPO)

You pay copays as you go (doctor visits, hospital, etc.)

Includes a maximum out-of-pocket limit

👉 Think of it like a pay-as-you-go plan with structure

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

This works with Original Medicare, not instead of it.

You keep Part A and Part B

No networks — see any doctor nationwide that accepts Medicare

Very low out-of-pocket costs when you receive care

You pay a higher monthly premium

Does not include drug coverage (you’ll need a Part D plan)

👉 Think of it like a predictable, low-surprise coverage plan

The real-world difference:

Medicare Advantage: Lower monthly cost, but you pay more when you use it

Medicare Supplement: Higher monthly cost, but very little cost when you use it

Which one is better?

Honestly… neither is “better.”

It depends on:

Your budget

Your doctors

How often you use healthcare

Your comfort with risk vs. predictability

Simple way to remember it:

Advantage = Lower premium, pay as you go

Supplement = Higher premium, less out-of-pocket later

Need help choosing the right fit?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we walk you through both options side-by-side—so you can make a confident decision, not a guess.

You can enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).

This is a 7-month window that includes:

3 months before your 65th birthday

The month of your birthday

3 months after your birthday

Example:

If your birthday is in June:

You can enroll starting in March

Your window runs through September

Here’s the part you don’t want to mess up…

If you wait too long:

You could have delayed coverage

You may face lifetime penalties (especially for Part B and Part D)

When should you enroll?

Most people should enroll before their birthday month
(ideally 1–3 months early)

👉 This helps your coverage start on time and avoids gaps

But not everyone should enroll right away…

If you’re still working and have credible employer coverage, your timing may be different.

This is where people get tripped up—big time.

Simple way to remember it:

You’ve got a 7-month window… but earlier is better

Need help making sure you get it right?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we walk you through your timeline step-by-step—so you don’t miss deadlines or get hit with penalties.

Not always. It depends on your employer coverage.

You can usually delay Medicare if:

You (or your spouse) are still working

You have active employer health insurance

The employer has 20 or more employees

👉 In this case, your employer plan is typically your primary coverage, and you can delay Medicare without penalties

You may need Medicare if:

Your employer has fewer than 20 employees

Your coverage is retiree, COBRA, or not considered “creditable”

👉 In these situations, Medicare may become your primary insurance, and not enrolling could leave you with gaps—or penalties

Here’s where people get burned…

They assume:
“I’ve got insurance, so I’m fine.”

But if Medicare should have been primary and you didn’t enroll…
you could end up paying out-of-pocket for things you thought were covered

What happens when you retire?

You’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP):

8 months to enroll in Part B

63 days to enroll in Part D

No penalties—if you had creditable coverage

Simple way to remember it:

20+ employees → You can usually delay Medicare

Under 20 → You likely need Medicare at 65

Need help figuring out your situation?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we help you review your employer coverage and make sure you don’t make a costly mistake.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions…

Medicare does NOT cover everything.

Here’s what Original Medicare (Part A & B) typically does NOT cover:

Most dental care (cleanings, fillings, dentures)

Vision care (eye exams for glasses, contacts)

Hearing aids and exams

Long-term care (like nursing homes or assisted living)

Most prescription drugs (without a Part D plan)

Here’s the bigger issue…

Even for the things Medicare does cover…

You’re still responsible for:

Deductibles

Copays

And 20% with no cap under Part B

Why this matters:

A lot of people think:
“I’ve got Medicare—I’m fully covered.”

But the reality is…

There can be some big gaps if you don’t have additional coverage.

Simple way to remember it:

Medicare is a foundation—not full coverage

Need help filling in the gaps?

At C&J Isbell Brokerage Group, we help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and how to protect yourself from unexpected costs.