Original Medicare Explained

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that helps you pay for things like hospital care and prescriptions.

Request A Quote

Medicare plans are distinguished by specific parts. The most common and well-known program is Original Medicare, which includes Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.

Eligibility

You become eligible for Medicare when you: 

  • Turn 65
  • Receive Social Security disability payments for 24 months
  • Have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

If you’re still working at age 65, you can wait to enroll or combine your Medicare and employer insurance. Having both plans can provide a boost to your coverage.

Enrollment

You will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare when you turn 65 if you receive Social Security benefits. You will receive a card in the mail letting you know. Otherwise, you can enroll online. If you aren’t automatically enrolled, you can take advantage of your Initial Enrollment Period which starts three months before your 65th birthday.

If you want a Part C, Part D, or supplement plan, you will have to find, choose, and enroll in a plan with the provider of your choice. A Medicare agent can help you find the coverage you need.

Costs

Medicare costs are based on premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket fees. Premiums are charged monthly.

Have Medicare Questions?

We’re Here to Help!

If you’re interested in learning more about Medicare, we can provide you with the answers you’re looking for. To learn more about how we can help you, call Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits today.

Contact Us

Original Medicare

Parts of Medicare

Medicare Supplements

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Enrollment

Contact Us

The purpose of this website is to provide general information on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Part D, and other health insurance related information. At Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits, we believe that everyone should have access to the information needed to make an informed, confident decision about their healthcare. Calling the number on this site will connect you to a licensed insurance agent.

Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits has researched government websites and publications in an effort to provide you with information. We believe the sources we use to provide information to be reliable. However, we do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information. All materials on this site are for informational purposes only. The contents of this website are subject to change without notice. If you would like to find more information about the Government Medicare program, please visit the Official U.S. Government website for Medicare, located at medicare.gov.

Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits is not connected with, affiliated with, or endorsed by the United States government, the Federal Medicare program, or a state agency. Medicare has not reviewed nor endorsed this information. Products sold by our team are backed by the insurance company’s guaranteed association and underwriting powers.

We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. 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 to get information on all of your options.

Disclaimers

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 17 organizations which offer 0 - 131 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. This website is operated by Kevin Thomas and Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits (SHWB) and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace website at HealthCare.gov. This website does not display all Qualified Health Plans available through HealthCare.gov. To see all available Qualified Health Plan options, go to the Health Insurance Marketplace website at HealthCare.gov. Not intended for those eligible for Medicare. You need to be lawfully present in the United States and reside in the plan service area to qualify for medical coverage and/or subsidies. These policies have exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. This website is operated by Kevin Thomas and Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits (SHWB) and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace website at HealthCare.gov. This website does not display all Qualified Health Plans available through HealthCare.gov. To see all available Qualified Health Plan options, go to the Health Insurance Marketplace website at HealthCare.gov. Not intended for those eligible for Medicare. You need to be lawfully present in the United States and reside in the plan service area to qualify for medical coverage and/or subsidies. These policies have exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. Interest and other guarantees in an annuity are subject to the claims-paying ability and financial strength of the insurance carrier that issues the product. Annuities are long-term vehicles. Many have surrender charges over many years, and withdrawals from an annuity prior to age 59 ½ may be subject to a 10% tax penalty. Reducing or skipping premium payments will impact the amount of interest paid and may impact how long the policy lasts. Accessing the cash value of a policy will reduce the available cash surrender value and the death benefit. A policy owner does not have the ability to make unlimited payments into the policy. If too much is paid into the policy, it will become a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC) and withdrawals and loans will be taxable. Policy guarantees are based upon the claims-paying ability of the issuing life insurance company. There are multiple ways to insure for long-term care needs. Options vary and some are less expensive than others, but may offer fewer guarantees. A financial professional can work with you to determine what coverage is right for you and how much coverage you should purchase. Health insurance doesn’t cover long-term care expenses. Medicare will cover some long-term care costs, but only up to 100 days (after a 3-consecutive-day stay in a hospital under treatment). Medicaid will cover long-term care expenses for individuals with assets of $2,000 or less (varies by state) and covered care may be limited to a nursing home. Paying for long-term care costs out of pocket may not be practical or cost-efficient for many people. When choosing a life product, make sure that life insurance needs are met long-term, especially if personal situations change — for example, marriage, birth of a child or job promotion. Weigh the costs of the policy, and understand that life insurance, and long-term care coverage linked to life insurance through riders, has fees and charges that vary with sex, health, age and tobacco use. Riders that customize a policy to fit individual needs typically carry an additional charge. The payment of long-term care rider benefits, as an acceleration of the death benefit, will reduce both the death benefit and cash surrender values of the life policy. Additionally, policy loans and withdrawals will also reduce both the cash value and the death benefit. Care should be taken to make sure that life insurance needs continue to be met even if the rider pays out in full, or after money is taken from the life policy. There is no guarantee that a rider will cover the entire cost for all of the insured’s long-term care, as this may vary with the needs of each insured. Final expense life insurance can be used by the beneficiary designated as needed rather than being limited to specific funeral services and providers. Final expense life policies will have a lower face value than most traditional term or whole life policies as they are intended for a specific purpose of covering those final costs rather than providing comprehensive support for surviving family members. This type of policy generally doesn’t require a medical exam, but premiums will be higher the older you are, and some benefit payouts may be limited during the first few years of coverage for those with significant health issues. Reducing or skipping premium payments will impact the amount of interest paid and may impact how long the policy lasts. Accessing the cash value of a policy will reduce the available cash surrender value and the death benefit. Policy guarantees are based upon the claims-paying ability of the issuing life insurance company.

Kevin Thomas

18722 University Blvd, Suite 200, Sugar Land, TX 77479

346-476-3704

Integrity Marketing Partners, LLC and its affiliates (“Integrity”) provide certain support and services to Kevin Thomas and Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits (SHWB), which operates independently as a licensed agency. Kevin Thomas and Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits (SHWB) does not represent Integrity.

© Shepherd Health and Wellness Benefits 2025

Scroll to Top