Medicare 101: From Your Initial Enrollment Period to Parts A, B, C, and D, an Essential Primer on the Government Healthcare Program

by Kimberly Lankford

Navigate your health care future with confidence and learn the ins and outs of the Medicare system with Medicare 101, an essential guide that transforms complex health care jargon into easily digestible knowledge.

Medicare 101 simplifies the complex Medicare regulations and policies, guiding you through a clear, step-by-step path to understanding the vital US health care program. Discover Medicare’s critical role in the US health care system today, its future implications for retirees, and how to easily decode the choices available using this guide’s straightforward structure. With this book, you will master the art of calculating Medicare costs, comparing Part A, Part B, and supplemental coverage options, and maximizing your Medicare benefits for long-term savings.

Whether you’re planning for retirement or helping a loved one navigate their health care options, this guide is the ultimate resource for navigating Medicare’s complexities. Packed with practical tips and advice, Medicare 101 provides the essential tools to help retirees and caregivers make informed health care decisions.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Kimberly Lankford is an experienced financial journalist with more than 25 years of expertise in translating complex financial subjects into clear, practical guidance. For 22 years, she wrote the popular “Ask Kim” column for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and Kiplinger.com, fielding hundreds of reader questions each month on topics such as insurance, taxes, retirement, health care, and avoiding scams. As a freelance writer, her work appears regularly in U.S. News & World Report, AARP, Military Officer Magazine, and other publications. Her articles have also been featured in The Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Bloomberg Wealth Manager. She has authored several books, including Rescue Your Financial Life and The Insurance Maze, and has written widely distributed financial guides for military families. Frequently featured as a financial expert on national television, radio, and podcasts, she is also quoted in major outlets like The New York Times and NBC News. Lankford is a member of the National Press Club and other professional journalism associations.

Reviews

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was timely for me. Medicare 101 comes at a time that we're getting multiple pieces of mail each day- warning us of treading carefully as we enroll.
My husband is a veteran and that bring a whole other facet to the research.
This was informative, without the hype, and clearly explained Medicare 101.
I highly recommend this book.

#Medicare101 #Netgalley #AdamsMedia #Netgalley #KimberlyLankford

[Dan Hyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good overview with pointers to websites for detailed government tables.

Updated in 2026 so the information is current.

There is some information that is repeated several times in different places in the book, but that's good if you are only reviewing certain sections of the Medicare program.

This is book that you can go through in an afternoon and is very clear on what steps you need to take and what you need to think about.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid overview of Medicare without a lot of jargon. Well worth reading so you are prepared for signing up.