Part B typically requires a monthly premium, which can vary based on your income. Some individuals may qualify for assistance to help cover this cost.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
Every year, millions of Americans turning 65 begin their journey with Original Medicare—the foundational healthcare coverage offered through the federal government. Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) and helps cover essential services like inpatient care, doctor visits, and outpatient procedures.
At Pro Compare Medicare, we’re here to help you understand how Medicare works and whether it provides enough coverage for your personal health needs.
What Is Original Medicare (Parts A and B)?
Original Medicare is a federal health insurance program that helps cover medical costs for seniors aged 65 and older, as well as people with certain disabilities or health conditions. It includes Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), both managed by the federal government.
Part A Medicare
Medicare Part A helps cover hospital care and inpatient services, including hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and hospice care. Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A if they’ve paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If you haven’t met that requirement, a monthly premium may apply. It’s also important to enroll on time, as late enrollment can result in higher costs or coverage delays down the road.
Part A helps cover:
- Inpatient hospital stays
- Skilled nursing facility care (short-term)
- Hospice care for terminally ill patients
- Limited home healthcare services
- Lab tests and x-rays related to inpatient care
- Rehabilitation services following a hospital stay
- Meals and semi-private rooms during hospital stays
For most people, Medicare Part A is premium-free if they’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. If not, premiums can range up to $499/month.
Part B Medicare
Medicare Part B helps cover your outpatient care—like doctor visits, preventive services, lab work, and care you receive at a clinic or hospital without being admitted. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B, though the amount can vary depending on your income and individual circumstances. Some individuals may qualify for help with these costs. Part B is a key part of maintaining your health and catching issues early through regular checkups and screenings.
Part B covers services like:
- Doctor visits (in-office or outpatient)
- Mental health care
- Annual wellness checks and preventive screenings
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy
- Ambulance services
- Durable medical equipment (DME) like wheelchairs and walkers
Is Original Medicare Enough?
Original Medicare provides important coverage—but it doesn’t cover everything.
Here’s what Original Medicare doesn’t include:
- Prescription drugs (you’ll need Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan for that)
- Routine dental, vision, and hearing care
- Long-term custodial care
- Most care received outside the U.S.
To fill these gaps, many people choose to add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers additional benefits like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Is Original Medicare Enough?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is a great starting point. It helps cover major medical expenses like hospital stays, inpatient care, doctor visits, and outpatient services. But for many people, it’s not enough to cover everything they need.
For example, Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs, and it also leaves out important services like routine dental, vision, and hearing care—things that become more important as we age.
To fill these gaps, many people add a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage, or choose a Medicare Advantage plan that’s offered by private insurance companies. These plans often include extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and wellness perks, giving you more complete and personalized coverage.
At Pro Compare Medicare, we’ll help you review your needs and find the right combination of plans to make sure you’re fully protected—without overpaying.
Will You Have Out-of-Pocket Costs with Original Medicare?
Yes, you may still have expenses with Original Medicare—and those costs can add up quickly if you’re not prepared.
While Medicare Parts A and B cover many essential services, they only pay a portion of your medical bills. For example, Part A covers the first 60 days of a hospital stay, but if you’re admitted longer, you’ll be responsible for a daily copay. These out-of-pocket costs increase the longer your stay lasts, especially after day 90. That’s why many people choose additional coverage, like a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan, to help manage these expenses.
And that’s just hospital care. Part B only covers 80% of approved outpatient services—leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%, with no cap on how high those costs can go.
For people managing chronic conditions or extended care, these gaps can become a serious financial burden.
How to Protect Yourself from High Medical Costs?
That’s where Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans come in. These options help reduce out-of-pocket costs and may include extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage. At ProCompareMedicare, licensed professional Lynn Roach and her team will help you compare all your plan options and find coverage that protects your health—and your wallet. Whether you're in Muskogee, Tulsa, Cherokee, or any of the surrounding Oklahoma counties, you’ll receive personalized guidance and ongoing support at no cost to you.
Medicare Enrollment: When and How to Sign Up
For most people in Oklahoma, the opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B begins a few months before their 65th birthday—this is called your Initial Enrollment Period. During this time, you can sign up to ensure your coverage starts as soon as you’re eligible.
However, if you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Medicare and won’t need to sign up manually. Even if that’s the case, it’s still a good idea to speak with a licensed professional like Lynn Roach and her team to review your options and make sure you’re fully covered.
When Does Medicare Enrollment Start?
If you’re turning 65 soon, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is your first chance to sign up for Medicare—and it’s important to get the timing right.
Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends three months after. That gives you a seven-month window to enroll without penalties.
🗓 Example:
If your 65th birthday is on March 8, your Medicare enrollment window starts on December 1, runs through March, and ends on June 30.
You can enroll online at ssa.gov, by calling Social Security, or by visiting your local SSA office in Oklahoma. But you don’t have to do it alone — ProCompareMedicare is here to help you every step of the way, at no cost.
Already Receiving Social Security?
If you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, great news — you’ll be enrolled in Medicare automatically. There’s no need to apply manually.
You may also qualify for early Medicare enrollment if you’ve received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement disability benefits for at least 24 months. Lynn and her team can help you understand your eligibility and make sure you’re ready when your benefits begin.
Why It’s Important to Enroll in Medicare On Time
When it comes to Medicare, timing is everything. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you could face costly penalties that stick with you for years—or even for life.
Part A Penalty
If you’re not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A and delay enrollment, you could pay a 10% penalty on your monthly premium. This penalty lasts for twice the number of years you waited to sign up.
Example:
If you delay your Part A enrollment by 2 years, you’ll pay that extra 10% for 4 years.
Part B Penalty
The Part B late enrollment penalty is even more permanent. If you delay signing up for Part B and don’t have other creditable coverage, your monthly premium could increase by 10% for every 12-month period you delayed.
Example:
If you wait 4 years to enroll, you’ll pay a 40% penalty on top of your regular Part B premium—and you’ll continue paying that penalty for as long as you have Medicare.
How to Avoid These Penalties
To avoid these avoidable costs, it’s best to start reviewing your Medicare options around age 64. That gives you plenty of time to understand your choices and enroll on time.
At Pro Compare Medicare, Licensed professional Lynn and her team works with individuals across Muskogee, Tulsa, Cherokee, and surrounding Oklahoma counties to make sure they get enrolled properly and avoid penalties—at no cost to you.
Get Ready to Sign Up for Medicare in Oklahoma
When it comes to Original Medicare, a little preparation can go a long way. As you approach your 65th birthday, it’s important to understand your Medicare options in Oklahoma and start building a plan that fits your health needs and budget.
Navigating Medicare on your own can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.
At Pro Compare Medicare, licensed professional Lynn and her team provides one-on-one guidance from your first consultation to enrollment—and long after. She proudly serves clients across Muskogee, Tulsa, Cherokee, Wagoner, and other surrounding counties in Oklahoma, offering honest advice, personalized support, and real peace of mind.
Whether you’re brand new to Medicare or just need help reviewing your current plan, Lynn is here to help you every step of the way.
📞 Call today for personalized Medicare support—and experience the Pro Compare Medicare difference.
Let’s Get Medicare Right — Together
Don’t let Medicare stress you out. At Pro Compare Medicare, you get more than just answers — you get a real partner in your corner.
Lynn and her team offers free, personalized guidance designed to make your journey smooth, simple, and totally tailored to you.
📞 Call 1-918-913-8199 now to book your no-pressure, no-cost consultation — and take the first step toward Medicare made easy.
