New to Medicare
If you're retiring or nearing your 65th birthday, it's time to learn about Medicare.
Find the answers you need
If you’re eligible for Medicare, or soon will be, congratulations. To tailor coverage that fits your needs and budget, it’s important to understand your benefits.
Medicare provides valuable protection against high medical costs, but it doesn’t cover everything. We can help you make informed and confident Medicare choices.
Learn how Medicare works
Follow these steps
Step 1: Get to know Original Medicare
Medicare is a government health insurance program for Americans who are 65 or older and younger people who have certain disabilities and receive Social Security benefits. Medicare was first created in two parts, Part A and Part B. Together, they’re called Original Medicare.
Part A (Hospital coverage)
Original Medicare
Partial coverage for:
- Inpatient hospital stay
- Skilled nursing care
- Hospice
- Home care
Part B (Medical coverage)
Original Medicare
Partial coverage for:
- Doctors visits
- Surgery
- Lab tests
- Medical equipment
- Preventive exams
Step 2: Learn how to cover what
Original Medicare doesn't
You can add additional coverage, which is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, to help pay for costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.
Part C (Medicare Advantage plans)
Private insurers and health plans
Similar to Parts A & B with predictable out-of-pocket costs and more coverage.
Often fully covers:
- Wellness services
- Vision exams
- Hearing exams
- Dental exams (preventive and/or comprehensive)
Often partially covers:
- Eye glasses
- Hearing aids
Part D (Prescription Drug plans)
Private insurers and health plans
Helps with the cost of prescription drugs not covered by Original Medicare.
Covers some:
- Prescription drugs
Step 3: Enroll at the right time
Your Initial Enrollment Period into Original Medicare is a seven-month window — from three months before your 65th birthday month to three months after your 65th birthday month. Coverage can begin as soon as the first day of the month you turn 65.
Learn more about Medicare enrollment
Enrollment order
You must enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Part D prescription drug plan.
Social Security benefits
If you already receive Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
Disabled and under 65
If you are disabled and under 65, you will get Part A and Part B automatically after you’ve received disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months.
Working past 65
If you or your spouse plan to work past age 65, you may not need to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65.
Step 4: How to enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare plan
You can choose how you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Cost or Part D Prescription Drug plan.
Support and resources
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
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.
Enroll today
Blue Cross offers Cost, PPO, and PDP plans with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in these Blue Cross plans depends on contract renewal.
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