"AARP"--Cover.

Includes index.

Part 1. Getting started with Medicare. The nuts and bolts of Medicare: what it is and how it works -- Spelling out what Medicare covers (a lot, but not everything) -- Understanding what you pay toward your costs in Medicare -- Reducing your out-of-pocket expenses in Medicare -- Part 2. The hows and whens of Medicare. Qualifying for Medicare -- Enrolling in Medicare at the right time for you -- Discovering how to sign up for Medicare -- Understanding how Medicare fits in with other health insurance -- Part 3. Making smart choices among Medicare's many options. Making sense of Medicare's many options -- Choosing wisely if you go with traditional Medicare -- Making smart choices if you opt for Medicare Advantage -- Getting help in making Medicare choices -- Part 4. Navigating Medicare from the inside. Starting out as a new Medicare beneficiary -- Getting the inside scoop on using certain Medicare benefits -- Changing your Medicare and Medigap coverage -- Knowing your rights -- Part 5. The part of tens. Top ten Medicare mistakes ; Ten ways to stay healthier beyond age 65.

Medicare brings valuable benefits to more than 58 million people and growing, but most of us don't even know the basics of how Medicare can work best for us. That's where Medicare For Dummies, 4th Edition comes in, explaining how this complex system functions and helping you confidently navigate your way through the maze to get the most out of your coverage. This indispensable resource untangles Medicare in friendly, straightforward language. Step by step, you'll learn when and how to enroll, ways to avoid costly mistakes, and how to find the plan that brings the most benefit to you and your family. Reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Know your rights and protections. Choose the best policy for you. Using this reassuring and comprehensive guide, you'll be able to get the answers to all your questions, find guidance on how to act--and then get on with getting the benefits you need.