Turning 65 can be daunting in more ways than one. For many North Carolinians, the weeks before their birthday are accompanied by a deluge of advertisements and mailings for various Medicare plans. The ...

There's a reason many older Americans opt to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan instead of sticking with original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans commonly offer benefits beyond what original ...

Are you planning to enroll in Medicare for the first time? You can sign up only during specified times of the year. Enrollment is done through Social Security, although some people with retirement or ...

The consequences could be pretty extreme.

The Medicare initial enrollment period (IEP) is the first time you can enroll in Medicare. If you miss your IEP, you can still enroll in Medicare but may need to pay late enrollment penalties. The IEP ...

Medicare Advantage plans tend to offer more coverage, with spending caps. Original Medicare can be augmented via "Medigap" supplemental plans. You can switch between the two options, but not without ...

Be aware of your costs. Pay attention to your plan's network. Recognize that you're not stuck with a plan that isn't working out. There's a reason many older Americans opt to sign up for a Medicare ...