If you’re helping a mother, spouse, sister, or loved one navigate Medicare enrollment as they turn 65, you already know how overwhelming the process can feel. Between Parts A, B, C, and D, enrollment deadlines, and coverage gaps, Medicare can seem like an impossible maze to navigate.

The good news? There’s a comprehensive, free resource designed specifically to simplify Medicare for women—and the caregivers who support them: https://medicareforwomen.org

Why Medicare Enrollment Matters for Women Turning 65

Medicare enrollment is a critical milestone, but it’s especially important for women to understand their options.

Women typically:

• Live longer than men, requiring more years of healthcare coverage
• Face higher rates of chronic conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease
• Often serve as caregivers themselves while managing their own health needs
• May have gaps in work history affecting Medicare eligibility

Missing enrollment deadlines can result in:

❌ Lifetime late enrollment penalties
❌ Gaps in healthcare coverage
❌ Higher out-of-pocket costs
❌ Limited plan options

As a caregiver, helping your loved one get this right the first time protects both their health and financial security.

What’s Inside: Savvy and 65 Medicare Guidebook

HealthyWomen and the Society for Women’s Health Research created “Savvy and 65: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Medicare” to cut through the confusion. This free, comprehensive guidebook walks women and their caregivers through every step of the Medicare journey.

The guide includes:

Medicare 101

Clear explanations of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, plus Medigap options—no confusing jargon, just straightforward information you can actually use.

Bone Health

Women face significantly higher risks of osteoporosis and fractures. Learn what Medicare covers for bone density screenings, treatments, and preventive care.

Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Discover Medicare coverage for cardiovascular screenings, medications, and cardiac rehabilitation.

Glossary

A complete reference of Medicare terms explained in plain language—perfect for quick lookups when you’re helping your loved one make decisions.

Download the full guidebook at medicareforwomen.org and get instant access to this essential resource. 📥

Medicare 101: Understanding Your Coverage Options

Let’s break down the basics so you can confidently guide your loved one through their options:

Medicare Part A, B, C, and D Explained

Part A – Hospital Insurance:

• Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services
• Most people don’t pay a premium if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working

Part B – Medical Insurance:

• Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment
• Requires a monthly premium that is income-based

Part C – Medicare Advantage:

• Alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies
• Often includes prescription drug coverage and extra benefits

Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage:

• Helps cover the cost of prescription medications
• Available as standalone plans or included in Medicare Advantage

Medicare Supplement Options

Medigap policies help cover costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Key considerations:

• Must be enrolled in Parts A and B
• Cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage
• Best to enroll during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Common Medicare Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Missing the Initial Enrollment Period
🚫 Assuming employer coverage is enough without checking coordination of benefits
🚫 Delaying Part B enrollment when you don’t have creditable coverage
🚫 Not comparing plans annually during Open Enrollment
🚫 Overlooking prescription drug coverage and facing lifetime penalties

Women’s Health Priorities: Bone Health and Heart Health Coverage

Medicare provides essential preventive services for women’s health—but only if you know what’s covered.

Bone Health Coverage:

• Bone density screenings every 24 months for qualifying women
• Osteoporosis medications and treatments
• Fracture care and rehabilitation services

Heart Health Coverage:

• Annual cardiovascular screenings
• Cholesterol and blood pressure monitoring
• Cardiac rehabilitation programs
• Preventive medications and treatments
• Nutrition counseling for heart disease prevention

How Caregivers Can Help with Medicare Enrollment

Your role as a caregiver during Medicare enrollment is invaluable. Here’s how to provide the most effective support:

Before Enrollment:

• Download and review the Savvy and 65 guidebook together
• Gather important documents
• Create a list of current doctors and medications
• Research which doctors accept Medicare in your area

During Enrollment:

• Help compare plan options using Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder
• Ask questions during appointments or phone calls
• Take notes and keep copies of all enrollment documents
• Set reminders for important deadlines

After Enrollment:

• Keep Medicare cards and plan information in a safe place
• Set up online accounts for plan management
• Mark calendar for annual Open Enrollment Period
• Monitor Explanation of Benefits statements

Pro tip: Consider getting authorized as a representative so you can help manage your loved one’s Medicare account.

When to Enroll: Critical Medicare Deadlines

Timing is everything with Medicare. Missing these deadlines can be costly:

Initial Enrollment Period: 7-month window starting 3 months before turning 65, including the birth month, and ending 3 months after

General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year for those who missed their IEP

Open Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7 each year to make changes to existing Medicare coverage

Special Enrollment Periods: Available for qualifying life events like retiring, moving, or losing other coverage

Download Your Free Medicare Guide for Women

Ready to simplify Medicare enrollment for your loved one? The“Savvy and 65: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Medicare” provides everything you need in one comprehensive resource.

Visit medicareforwomen.org to get your free guide

This downloadable guidebook includes:

✅ Step-by-step enrollment instructions
✅ Coverage comparison charts
✅ Women’s health priorities explained
✅ Complete Medicare glossary
✅ Checklist for enrollment preparation

About Healthy Women and the Society for Women’s Health Research

Healthy Women is the leading independent health information source for women, providing trusted, evidence-based content on physical and mental health topics.

The Society for Women’s Health Research is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving women’s health through advocacy, education, and research.

Together, these organizations created the Medicare for Women initiative to address the unique challenges women face during Medicare enrollment.