1. Eligibility for Medicare generally begins for most people at:

Age 65, or earlier with certain disabilities

Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65, with earlier eligibility for certain disabilities or conditions.

2. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies sold today are:

Standardized into plans with defined benefits identified by letters

Medigap policies are standardized into lettered plans so consumers can compare equivalent benefits across insurers.

3. The Medigap open enrollment period, during which an applicant has guaranteed issue regardless of health, generally:

Lasts about six months beginning when the person is 65 and enrolled in Part B

The Medigap open enrollment period generally runs about six months from when the person is 65 and enrolled in Part B.

4. Medicare Part A may help pay for a limited stay in a:

Skilled nursing facility following a qualifying hospital stay

Part A helps cover a limited skilled nursing facility stay when it follows a qualifying inpatient hospital stay.