## Medicare essentials

Medicare is a government health insurance program for Americans who are age 65 or older  
and younger people who have certain disabilities and receive Social Security benefits.



 

 

 

 

 

### Eligibility & Enrollment

 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/learn-about-medicare/medicare-eligibility-and-enrollment)

 

 

 



### The parts of Medicare

(A, B, C, D, Medicare Supplement)



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/learn-about-medicare/understanding-medicare)

 

 

 



### Working after 65

 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/learn-about-medicare/working-past-65)

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

### Our Medicare plans

 

[View plans](/our-plans/medicare-plans)

 

 

 



### Medicare networks

 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/learn-about-medicare/learn-about-blue-cross-medicare)

 

 

 



### Home healthcare

 

[Learn more](/our-plans/medicare-plans/finding-and-paying-home-health-care)

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

  





 

 

### Learn how Medicare works

If you're getting ready to enroll in Medicare, you'll want to understand the basics. In this video you will learn how Medicare works and what it covers.



 

 

 

 

 

 

## More learning resources

       ![Step-by-Step Guide iPad cover](/sites/default/files/styles/3x2_third/public/dam/iv0inhrfua/2026-step-by-step-guide-cover-550x285.png.webp?itok=By4gAGYy "2026-step-by-step-guide-cover-550x285.png") 

 

 

### Understanding Medicare

Use this free step-by-step guide to learn about the essentials of Medicare. It covers the four parts of Medicare, when to enroll, how to avoid penalties and more.

[Download 2026 Step-by-Step Guide (English)](https://bluecrossmn.widen.net/content/2cf29zsxge/original/2026-medicare-step-by-step-guide.pdf "2026-medicare-step-by-step-guide.pdf")

[Download 2026 Step-by-Step Guide (Spanish)](https://bluecrossmn.widen.net/content/4mwivywokv/original/2026-medicare-step-by-step-guide-spanish.pdf "2026-medicare-step-by-step-guide-spanish.pdf")



 

 

 

       ![Adults attending a workshop](/sites/default/files/styles/3x2_third/public/dam/mqmm6zgmxy/adults-medicare-workshop-istock-1145049554-rt-web.jpg.webp?itok=BCx5gJJV "adults-medicare-workshop-istock-1145049554-rt-web.jpg") 

 

 

### Free Medicare Workshops

Join us for a free, no obligation, in-person or virtual Medicare workshop to learn about Medicare and available plans based on the county you live in.



[Register for a workshop](https://bcbsmn-retail.my.salesforce-sites.com/registration/)

 

 

 

 

       ![Advisor helping senior couple](/sites/default/files/styles/3x2_third/public/dam/uwanwdnnuo/seniors-advisor-meeting-istock-1461150525-rt-web.jpg.webp?itok=7lTqhNHb "seniors-advisor-meeting-istock-1461150525-rt-web.jpg") 

 

 

### It doesn't have to be hard

**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



[Connect with a Blue Cross Advisor](/our-plans/blue-cross-advisors)

 

 

 

 

 

 

SilverSneakers® is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc., an independent company that provides health and fitness programs. Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, Platinum Blue, Senior Gold and other Medicare Supplement and SecureBlue plans are eligible.

TruHearing® is a registered trademark of TruHearing, Inc., an independent company who works with health plans to offer low out-of-pocket costs on hearing aids.

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