--- title: 6 Things Everyone Should Know About Medicare   description: Read these six things about when and how to sign up for Medicare. --- [![Logo](https://blog.eskaton.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo.png?width=350&height=75&name=Logo.png "Logo")](https://www.eskaton.org/) **[eskaton.org](https://www.eskaton.org/)** [Eskaton](https://blog.eskaton.org/author/eskaton) 10 April, 2018 | 1 min read Search Blog ### Posts by Topic - [Independent Living (157)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/independent-living) - [Assisted Living (105)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/assisted-living) - [Residents + Staff (103)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/residents-staff) - [Wellness Tips (101)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/wellness-tips) - [In the News (81)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/news) - [Information & Assistance (53)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/information-assistance) - [Testimonials (50)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/reviews) - [Philanthropy (43)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/giving) - [Eskaton Village Carmichael (35)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/eskaton-village-carmichael) - [About Eskaton (34)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/eskaton) - [Ask the Expert (30)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/ask-the-expert) - [LifeBios by Students (23)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/lifebios) - [Senior Living Community (19)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/senior-living-community) - [Age is Beautiful (18)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/age-is-beautiful) - [Celebrating Diversity (17)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/celebrating-diversity) - [Living with Dementia (17)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/memory) - [Memory Care (17)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/memory-care) - [Technology (14)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/technology) - [Signs it is Time for Help (13)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/signs-it-is-time-for-help) - [Well-Being Philosophy (13)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/well-being-philosophy) - [Senior Living (12)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/senior-living) - [Emotional Health (7)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/emotional-health) - [Fall Prevention (7)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/fall-prevention) - [Kids Connection (7)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/kids-connection) - [Heart Health (5)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/heart-health) ## 6 Things Everyone Should Know About Medicare     Medicare is a large and potentially overwhelming topic for everyone, and can be especially confusing for the people approaching 65 years old. Limited computer knowledge and low health literacy can factor into the confusion surrounding the vast maze of benefits that is Medicare. In order to help our seniors, get a head start on receiving the benefits that they have earned, here is a list of some basic things to understand about Medicare, and a resource which can help our elders start receiving their benefits. 1. Waiting to sign up for Medicare can cost you in the long run. Your costs could rise up to 10% for every year you wait to enroll after you become eligible. 2. To qualify for Medicare, you need to be 65 years old or older and have worked 40 quarters, or ten years. The normal enrollment time is three months before and three months after your 65th birthday.  3. Medicare part A (hospital stays) are typically covered for people who have worked 40 quarters and are 65 or older. 4. Medicare parts B, C, and D are optional and a person can choose to enroll in them or not. 5. Medicare does not cover long term care, or dental and vision, but you can purchase supplemental insurance and/or long term care insurance if you would like these to be covered. 6. The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free objective information and counseling about Medicare. They can be reached at 1(800)434-0222. **Visit Medicare's website at [https://www.medicare.gov/](https://www.medicare.gov/). ** ### Share This Post! - - - ## Get in touch! Feel free to contact us to learn more about all of our senior care services. [![Logo REV](https://blog.eskaton.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20REV.png?width=1500&height=322&name=Logo%20REV.png "Logo REV")](https://eskaton.org) © 2025 Eskaton • All Rights Reserved - - - -