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How to Budget for Medicare

Budgeting in 3 Easy Steps

  • Shot of a senior couple discussing their monthly budget with financial documents and laptop in home

    STEP 1
    Document Your Needs

    Start your budgeting off by understanding your care needs. Gathering this information lets you know what to research and how to find cost savings.

    Here’s what you should write down:

    • Monthly medications
    • Chronic or ongoing conditions
    • Your care team, including specialists
  • Top view of mature woman making notes interacting on a digital tablet

    STEP 2
    Check Your Coverage & Care Team

    Original Medicare covers most of your healthcare needs. You can easily look up specific procedures and whether they are covered with Medicare's “What’s Covered” app.

    It’s also important to check to see if your care team accepts Medicare or is in a Medicare Advantage network.

    Is Your Doctor In Network?
  • Hospital, Bank, Medical Building, Healthcare And Medicine, Calculator

    STEP 3
    Get Part B Premium Estimates

    For most, Medicare Part A has a $0 premium, but Part B has a premium based on your Social Security benefits and other factors. Get a head start on your Medicare budgeting by using the Medicare.gov Part B estimator linked below.

    The calculator asks you 5 simple questions to get an estimate of what your Part B premium might be.

    Medicare.gov Part B Estimator (Opens in a new tab)

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Looking to Talk to Someone about Medicare Options?

Call your AZ Blue friends on the inside, at 1-888-269-0524, TTY: 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Daily: 10/1 – 3/31, Monday – Friday: 4/1 – 9/30.

    Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (AZ Blue) is contracted with Medicare to offer HMO Medicare Advantage plans. Enrollment in AZ Blue plans depends on contract renewal.

    You are eligible to enroll in a AZ Blue Medicare Supplement plan if you are age 65 or older, entitled to Medicare Part A, and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and you live in the plan service area. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premiums (and Part A, if applicable), if not otherwise paid for by Medicaid or another third party. During the first six months when you are age 65 and also enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B you cannot be denied a Medicare Supplement plan when you apply for one, regardless of health status.

    Health Choice Pathway HMO D-SNP is a Health Plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Health Choice Pathway HMO D-SNP depends on contract renewal. Health Choice Pathway Member Services can be reached at 1-800-656-8991, TTY: 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
    Member Services can be reached at 480-937-0409 (in Arizona) or at our toll-free phone number at 1-800-446-8331 (TTY users should call 711). Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday from April 1 to September 30; and 7 days a week from October 1 to March 31. Member Services also has free language interpreter services available for non-English speakers.

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    Last Updated 01/01/2025