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2026 Guide to Medicare Plans
A plain-language overview of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap for 2026.
Talk to a Licensed Agent: (302) 407-0876The Building Blocks: Parts A, B, C, and D
Part A covers hospital and inpatient care. Part B covers outpatient medical care. Together, Parts A and B make up Original Medicare. Part C, or Medicare Advantage, is an alternative way to receive your Part A and Part B benefits through a private insurer, often bundled with Part D drug coverage and extra benefits. Part D is prescription drug coverage, available as a standalone plan or built into a Medicare Advantage plan.
Most people become eligible at 65, or earlier with certain disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease, or ALS. Your Initial Enrollment Period is the seven-month window centered on your 65th birthday month.
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Call (302) 407-0876Filling the Gaps: Medigap and Preventive Care
Medigap policies work alongside Original Medicare to help cover out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. To buy one, you generally need to already have Part A and Part B, and you can't pair Medigap with Medicare Advantage.
Original Medicare covers a long list of preventive services at no cost when you meet eligibility criteria, including an annual wellness visit, flu shots, several cancer screenings, and cardiovascular and diabetes screenings — reviewing what's available to you each year is one of the simplest ways to get more value from your coverage.
Related Reading
More on Health Advantage Plan
Official Government Resources