Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for qualified individuals in the United States who are 65 years or older and those under 65 with certain disabilities.

You can enroll in Medicare during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is a seven-month period that begins three months before your 65th birthday. You can sign up online at www.ssa.gov or you can call (800)772-1213.

You automatically get Part A and Part B after you get one of these:

• Disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months
• Certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months

You don’t need to sign up if you automatically get Part A and Part B. You’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 25th month of disability.

Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) which includes hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and hospice. It also includes Part B (medical insurance) which is services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment and some preventative services. It does not include prescription drugs, vision, hearing or dental.

Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) offered by private insurance companies. These plans often include additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage, dental and vision.

Yes, you can change your coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which runs October 15 to December 7 every year. There are other special enrollment periods that may apply during the year.

Hospital indemnity insurance is a type of insurance that pays a fixed daily benefit for each day you are hospitalized. It can be used toward expenses not covered by your primary health insurance such as deductibles, co-pays and non-medical expenses.

It typically pays a lump sum upon diagnosis of cancer. The lump sum can be used toward out of pocket treatment costs, transportation expenses or daily living expenses. The policy may also include an extra benefit that provides genome testing to gather your particular cancer’s “fingerprint” that can be used by your health care providers to determine the best course of treatment for you.

Cancer and stroke insurance can be purchased together or separately to provide financial assistance in the event of a heart attack or a stroke. It helps cover the costs of medical treatment, rehabilitation and other related expenses.

An annuity is a contract with an insurance company that can help support retirement income or long-term financial planning. Depending on the type of annuity, it may offer growth potential, income options, or more stability in retirement.

Life insurance can help protect the people who depend on you financially. It may be used for final expenses, income replacement, mortgage or debt protection, leaving money to loved ones, business planning, or helping create a financial safety net. Some policies may also offer living benefits, depending on the type of coverage.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best time to take Social Security depends on your age, health, income needs, work plans, spouse, and overall retirement strategy. Reviewing your options before you claim can help you make a more confident decision.

The sooner, the better. Retirement planning can help you prepare for income needs, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Social Security timing, and long-term financial goals. It is never too early to start reviewing your options.

Long-term care is help with daily living needs, such as bathing, dressing, eating, or care at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility. Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial care, so it is important to understand your options before a health event happens.