Original Medicare (Parts A & B) provides excellent coverage, but leaves the Medicare recipient responsible for potentially unlimited out of pocket expenses.  For this reason, we recommend everyone look at health insurance that provides protection that exceeds original Medicare.  These days there are plans that have premiums as low as $0, so protection is affordable for nearly everyone.

Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is only administered through private insurance companies – you cannot sign up for Part D through Social Security or Medicare.  We recommend everyone sign up for a Part D plan, even if they don’t take prescription medications today for two reasons: 1) you never know if you’ll need drugs in the future, 2) there is generally a penalty for not signing up for Part D when you’re first eligible.