Americans have a dicey relationship with Medicare. While the vast majority of Americans (78 percent) approve of Medicare plans, an alarming 76 percent don’t understand key program points like out-of-pocket expenses, and 74 percent of U.S. adults either overestimated Medicare plan coverage or didn’t understand how it works, according to TIAA Institute's 2025 P-Fin Index.
“It's a very real problem,” Danielle K. Robert, author of the book "10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make," told NTD News. “If you're approaching Medicare for the first time, you're suddenly being bombarded with information from every direction. Your mailbox fills up with brochures. Your phone starts ringing. Every commercial seems to be talking about Medicare plans.”
When program recipients finally sit down and try to figure out Parts A, B, C, and D, enrollment periods, Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and prescription drug coverage, it's a lot of ground to cover.
Avoid Making These Budget-Busting Medicare Errors
You don’t need to become a Medicare master to avoid big mistakes, but you have a decent grip on the program to maximize the experience. Taking these error-avoidance tips to the table should keep you covered and cost-efficient.Start doing your homework early
If you're getting ready for Medicare, the best thing you can do is start early. Don't wait until the month before you turn 65 to begin learning about your options.“Focus first on understanding the major decisions you'll need to make: when to enroll, whether you'll need prescription drug coverage, which Medicare path is right for you, and how to choose the plan that fits your healthcare needs,” Robert said.
Not knowing what Medicare program is right for you can cost you
In many instances, the biggest mistake people make is enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan without fully understanding what they're signing up for until it’s too late.“Now, that's not because every Medicare Advantage plan is bad,” Mark Prip, independent Medicare insurance agent and the founder of Policy Guide, Inc., told NTD News. “The problem is that many people make decisions based on marketing rather than understanding the long-term consequences.”
Prip said he frequently speaks with individuals who have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan because they heard about a $0 premium, dental benefits, vision coverage, or some commercial they saw on television. “Those benefits sound great, and for some people, they may work out just fine,” he said. “What many people don't realize is that when they first become eligible for Medicare, they have a unique opportunity to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting. In other words, they can get coverage regardless of their health.”
Don’t pay attention to Medicare hucksters
Prip said if he could give someone approaching Medicare just one piece of advice, it would be to slow down and learn before you enroll.“I've seen too many people make quick decisions based on advertisements, celebrity endorsements, or promises of extra benefits without really understanding how the coverage works,” he said. “Medicare isn't something you want to figure out after you get sick. You want to understand it before you need it.”
Make sure to ask the right questions
When Prip meets with Medicare clients, he encourages them to focus on three things: stability, flexibility, and predictability.- Can you keep your doctors?
- Will you have access to specialists when you need them?
- What happens if your health changes five years from now?
Get Medicare Facts Right Before You Sign Up
The ultimate Medicare goal isn't to find the plan with the flashiest commercial. The goal is to find coverage that will still serve you well years from now, when you actually need healthcare.“The more informed you are before making your decision, the better your chances of getting Medicare right the first time,” Prip said.