Learn about Medicare
Understand how Medicare works, when to enroll, what's covered, and how to choose the right plan for your life.
Medicare basics
Start here if you're new to Medicare or want to understand how it works.
New to Medicare?
Start with our introduction to Medicare
Learn how Medicare works, what the different parts cover, and how to choose the coverage that fits your needs.
Part A
Hospital
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice care, and home health care
Part B
Medical
Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services
Part C
Medicare Advantage
Private plans that bundle Parts A, B, and often D
Part D
Drugs
Prescription drug coverage
Is original Medicare free?
There is no cost for Medicare Part A, which is hospital coverage, if you contributed to Social Security for at least 40 quarters. If you haven’t, you can purchase Medicare Part A. You do have to pay a premium for Medicare Part B, which is medical coverage. Your premium cost depends on your income.
Do I have to sign up for Medicare?
Generally, when you turn 65, as long as you are receiving health insurance that includes credible drug coverage through you or your spouse’s employer, you do not have to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B until you stop working or lose credible drug coverage. You then have a certain amount of time, a special enrollment period, when you can enroll. But it’s important to check with your employer. They may require you to sign up for Medicare even if you are still employed.
If you are not working when you turn 65, or when you retire at any age and lose your health insurance through your employer, you need to enroll, especially in Part B. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, you could face a penalty.
Have more Medicare questions? Read FAQs
When can I enroll?
Timing matters with Medicare. Missing your window can result in late enrollment penalties.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
3 months before + the month of + 3 months after your 65th birthday
Your first opportunity to enroll. Signing up during the 3 months before your birthday month means coverage starts on the 1st of your birthday month.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 – December 7 each year
Anyone on Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect January 1.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Triggered by qualifying life events
If you leave employer coverage, move out of your plan's service area, lose coverage, or experience other qualifying events, you may have a Special Enrollment Period to make changes.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
January 1 – March 31 each year
If you're already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare.
What do I need to do when?
Start thinking about Medicare 6-12 months before you are eligible. You will want to give yourself time to understand your options, ask questions, and feel confident about your choices before the deadline.
How do I know if I have a Special Enrollment Period?
For help understanding an SEP, call our Medicare Sales team at (401) 746-4344 (TTY: 711). Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to noon. (Open seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., October 1 - March 31.) You can use our automated answering system outside of these hours.
Need details about enrolling? Read FAQs
Still working?
You can still enroll in a Medicare plan even while you’re working. So how do you decide?
Coverage
Consider whether you could get more coverage for the things you need, like prescriptions, dental work, or doctor visits.
Cost
Medicare plans might be more affordable than your current plan if you are self-employed or work for a small business that can’t contribute much to your plan.
Family
If you still have children or other people on your current plan, they won’t be covered under your Medicare plan. They would need to get their own health insurance.
Coverage options
These types of Medicare plans are available from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C)
These plans combine hospital and doctor coverage (Parts A and B) with prescription drug coverage (Part D).
- Dental, hearing, and vision benefits
- Fitness center membership starting at $0
- Over-the-counter purchase allowance
- Annual cap on out-of-pocket costs
Medicare + Medicaid and Extra Help (must qualify)
Some Medicare Advantage plans can offer help in paying monthly premiums and other healthcare costs.
- BlueRI for Duals (HMO D-SNP) for Medicare + Medicaid eligible people
- BlueCHiP for Medicare Access (HMO-POS) for people who receive Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy)
Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement plans cover part or all of the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance under Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Requires a separate Part D plan for drug coverage.
- Flexibility to see any provider nationwide
- Predictable out-of-pocket costs
- Can pair with any Part D drug plan
- Does not include dental, hearing, or vision
Prescription Drug plans (Part D)
Standalone drug plans for people with Original Medicare or a Medigap plan. Covers prescription medications using a tiered formulary.
- Covers generic and brand-name drugs
- Use at participating pharmacies
- Organized into cost tiers
- Required to avoid late penalties
How do Medicare Advantage plans differ from Original Medicare?
Generally, Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) offer more coverage than Original Medicare, which usually pays for only 80% of many costs. They also may charge monthly premiums and have specific networks of providers to use.
How do I know if my doctor or pharmacy is in-network?
Here is new language for this. I will look at the other FAQs this afternoon: You can find in-network doctors, dentists, and pharmacies using these easy searches:
Tip: Choose the plan you are considering from the list on that page. You also can call us for help.
Looking for details about coverage? Read FAQs