For those nearing retirement age, it’s time to start reading up on Medicare and what the program can offer you during your most vulnerable medical years. Some seniors might not have to worry about add on policies, but the vast majority of American elders could benefit from looking into additional medical coverage.

Before we get to all that, let’s start by covering all Medicare bases. Today we’ll talk about what you and your household could expect from the program. We’ve prepared 11 things that you need to know before you even start the process of enrollment.

Ready? Click through to stay informed!

Medicare Comes With a Cost

As many of you must have heard by now, Medicare is actually divided into two parts which cover vastly different medical expenses.

Part A will cover your hospital services and is free if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 10 years. Those singles or families who haven’t will need to pay a monthly premium of, on average, several hundred dollars.

On the other hand, Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services. Unlike Part A, seniors have to pay a premium. In 2020 which came up to $144.60 per month but experts expect the costs to rise to $148.50 in 2021.

These aren’t the only parts of the program, though. Several others cover more specific medical needs. Part D, for example, covers prescription-drug costs, which could cost an arm and a leg on their own depending on your medical needs. The monthly charge will depend on the plan you chose but, on average, Plan D is expected to cost $30 per month in 2021.

And don’t forget, there are also co-payments and deductibles to consider!