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Medicare Parts A (Hospitals) and B (Doctors) taken together are often called "Original Medicare"
There are some great things about Original Medicare and also some challenges that go with it. A good resource for beginners is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) What's Medicare basics page.
Folks that have a standalone PDP (drug) plan should evaluate that plan every year during AEP
Each year your Medicare broker should be asking you a few things. Have your prescriptions changed? Do you understand that ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) form you received? Do you just have general questions? We do this for all of our clients proactively.
You don't necessarily need to start paying for Medicare Part B coverage when you turn 65
If you have coverage that's considered to be "creditable" which means that it is at least as good as the coverage provided under Medicare, for example through your employer, you don't necessarily need to start paying your Part B premium when you turn 65.
Once enrolled in Medicare, most people will not have to pay a premium for Part A but will for Part B. For 2021 the monthly part B premium is $148.50 and many people have it taken directly out of their Social Security income instead of paying it separately. Part B also has an annual deductible which is $203 for 2021. When to start Medicare and if it can be more beneficial and/or less expensive than existing coverage is unique to each person and can be complex. We can help you decide.