Turning 65 can be daunting, especially when it comes to enrolling in Medicare, the federal program that provides health insurance to nearly 69 million seniors, people with disabilities and Americans who meet certain other conditions.

Everybody’s situation is different when it comes to Medicare, said Rhonda Narron, southeastern regional manager with the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP.

“It’s never one size fits all,” she said. “That’s why it’s so confusing for people.”

Anyone can visit a local SHIIP counselor for free, unbiased information about the various Medicare options available. But for a general primer, NC Health News compiled the following information about Medicare from several SHIIP counselors and government resources.

SHIIP counselors advise everyone to

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