Turning 65 Soon? Here's the Timeline Most People Wish They'd Seen Sooner.
As a benefits literacy coach, I help you understand your Medicare options — Advantage vs. Supplement, drug coverage, enrollment windows — calmly, clearly, and with no pressure.
No cost, no obligation — just clear information.
What you'll learn in the starter guide
Five short, plain-English chapters designed to answer the questions most people have when Medicare first shows up on their calendar.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement
The real difference between Advantage (Part C) and Medigap — explained in plain language, without the sales pitch.
Checking your prescriptions
How to see whether the medications you already take will be covered — and what to look for on a drug formulary.
Enrollment windows that matter
The Initial Enrollment Period, Annual Election Period, and Special Enrollment Periods — and what happens if you miss one.
What the TV commercials don't tell you
Why the loudest ads aren't always the best fit, and the questions worth asking before you sign anything.
A calm, no-pressure walkthrough
Guidance from a licensed benefits coach — not a call center reading from a script.
Meet Your Benefits Coach
Mel Thornton, FLMI
Benefits Literacy Coach
Mel has spent 15+ years helping retirees, pre-retirees, and their families understand and navigate complex healthcare coverage, blending education, personalized guidance, and community seminars to help people choose with confidence.
Get Your Free "New to Medicare" Starter Guide
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Common questions, answered plainly
A few of the questions we hear most often from people approaching Medicare.
- Most people start about 3 months before their 65th birthday — that's when your Initial Enrollment Period opens. It runs for 7 months total (3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after). Starting early gives you time to understand your options without feeling rushed.