Part A is usually premium free if you paid into Social Security for at least 10 years. Everything else has a cost. Part B has a monthly premium, and whether you go the Medigap route or choose a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan instead, you'll still have costs somewhere, whether that's a monthly premium, deductibles, or copays. “Free” isn't quite right, but it doesn't have to be confusing either.

You can apply anytime, but your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, the 6 months right after your Part B coverage starts (as long as you're 65 or older), is your main guaranteed window for buying any Medigap plan with no health questions. Outside that window, you can still apply, but the company can require medical underwriting and turn you down.

In Florida, Medigap premiums are locked in based on your age when you enroll, not your current age as time passes. That's called issue-age pricing. Enroll at 65 and you're paying the 65-year-old rate for as long as you keep the policy, even at 80. Wait a few years to enroll and you'll pay the higher rate for whatever age you were when you signed up, for the life of the policy. Rates can still rise if the company raises them across the board, but they won't rise just because you got older. The earlier you lock in, the better your long-term number looks.

Actually, no! Plan G is Plan G, no matter who sells it. The benefits are standardized by the government. The only thing that changes between companies is the price and the service you get. That's actually a good thing. It means you're comparing apples to apples.

It depends on your employer. If you're covered by a group plan through an employer with 20 or more employees, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. If not, you could end up with one. This is worth a quick conversation before you assume either way!

Not during your Medigap Open Enrollment window. That's your main guaranteed window: a company has to sell you a policy, no health questions held against you. A few life events, like losing certain coverage, can open other guaranteed windows too, so ask me about yours. Outside that window, it can get complicated, which is exactly why timing matters so much.

It might be the right choice for you, but $0 premium doesn't mean $0 cost. You could still pay copays, coinsurance, and out of network charges depending on how you use it. It's worth understanding what you're actually signing up for.