Interactive Reference Guide

Medicare & You

The official Medicare handbook — made searchable. Find answers on enrollment deadlines, 2026 costs, plan types, and your rights as a beneficiary. All 10 chapters, every sub-section, with links to official sources.

10 Chapters34 Topics Covered2026 Cost DataOfficial Source Links

All Chapters

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It is run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Key Points

  • Medicare is NOT free — most people pay premiums, deductibles, and copays
  • Medicare is NOT the same as Medicaid (Medicaid is income-based)
  • Medicare does NOT cover most long-term care or custodial care
  • You can have Medicare and other insurance at the same time
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This guide is based on the official CMS "Medicare & You" handbook and is provided for educational purposes only. Cost figures reflect 2026 Medicare amounts. Medicare rules and costs change annually — always verify current information at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. William Gray is a licensed independent Medicare insurance broker in Florida (License W690237). This is not an official CMS publication.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) to get information on all of your options.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is an advertisement for insurance. William Gray and affiliated licensed agents are independent insurance agents, not government employees or representatives. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

Not all plans or types of coverage may be available in your area. Plan availability, benefits, and premiums vary by county and ZIP code. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. Benefits, premiums, and cost-sharing may change on January 1 of each year.

Independent Agent & Compensation Disclosure. William Gray is an independent licensed insurance agent (FL License #W690237) and is not employed by or exclusively affiliated with any single insurance company. William is compensated by insurance carriers when you enroll in a plan. This compensation does not affect the premium you pay — your premium is the same whether you enroll through a broker or directly with the carrier. Affiliated agents are independent contractors solely responsible for their own conduct and representations.