Welcome to Medicare – ONLINE VERSION

We are pleased to provide an online narrated video of our popular live Welcome to Medicare class that we hold every month at venues around the County. This video was new and up to date as of July 2026. Available plans and pricing change every year.

Click here for the Welcome to Medicare 2026 video

The video is hosted by YouTube. Make sure your device’s audio function and speakers are on and the volume is at the proper level. You can hit pause at any time, and use the slider to move back and forth through the video. At the bottom right corner of the video 2 diagonal arrows that allow you to expand the video to your full screen.

Welcome to Medicare Video Contents

This same content listing is available in YouTube, below the video. Use the video slider to move ahead and backward to the minute marks for specific subjects.

Video Summary

The video is a full Welcome to Medicare workshop covering the major parts of Medicare, how enrollment works, and how to compare coverage options. It’s organized into clear sections:

00:00 — Introduction

Sets the stage for the session, explaining what Medicare is, who it serves, and what the workshop will cover.

10:40 — Enrolling

Walks through when and how people can enroll:

  • Initial Enrollment Period
  • Special Enrollment Periods
  • Late enrollment penalties
  • How employer coverage affects timing

22:20 — Original Medicare

Explains Parts A (hospital) and B (medical):

  • What each part covers
  • What they don’t cover
  • Costs such as premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance
  • How providers and billing work

32:18 — Medigap

Covers Medicare Supplement plans:

  • Standardized plan types (A–N)
  • How Medigap fills gaps in Original Medicare
  • Differences in premiums and coverage
  • When you can buy a Medigap plan and guaranteed‑issue rights

41:23 — Prescriptions

Explains Part D:

  • How drug plans work
  • Formularies and tiers
  • Preferred pharmacies
  • Coverage stages (deductible, initial, coverage gap, catastrophic)

48:51 — Advantage Plans

Breaks down Medicare Advantage (Part C):

  • How MA plans bundle Parts A, B, and usually D
  • Networks (HMO/PPO)
  • Extra benefits
  • Differences from Medigap + Original Medicare
  • Annual changes and plan shopping

1:07:33 — Other

Covers additional Medicare-related topics such as:

  • Programs for people with limited income
  • Coordination with employer or retiree coverage
  • Military and Federal retiree coverage
  • Appeals and rights

1:14:42 — Plan Finder Demo

Shows how to use Medicare’s online Plan Finder tool to:

  • Compare Part D and Advantage plans
  • Enter medications
  • Review costs and coverage
  • Evaluate pharmacies and estimated annual spending