Medicare enrollment guides cover Part A, B, C, D and Medigap rules

Medicare enrollment involves several distinct components, including Part A for hospital insurance, Part B for medical insurance, Part C (Medicare Advantage) offered by private companies, and Part D for prescription drug coverage.

Beneficiaries must distinguish between the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. The Medigap window is a one-time, six-month period that begins the first month an individual is age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this specific Medigap window, federal law guarantees the right to purchase any Medigap policy in a state at the best available rate without medical underwriting or denials due to pre-existing conditions.