Medicare · Guide
Medicare for caregivers
If you’re helping a loved one with Medicare, the work comes down to understanding their coverage, getting permission to act on their behalf, and knowing what Medicare covers as their needs change — including the long-term care it doesn’t. These guides walk through each part, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Helping a parent, spouse, or friend with Medicare is one of the most common and least talked-about caregiving jobs. It means understanding coverage someone else chose, getting permission to act on their behalf, and knowing what Medicare will and won’t pay for as needs change — including the long-term care it doesn’t cover. These guides are written for the person doing that work.
Guides for caregivers
Helping a loved one
Where to start when you step in to help.
Read more →Authorized representative
Getting permission to act on their behalf.
Read more →Home health & long-term care
What Medicare covers — and the long-term care gap.
Read more →Hospice care
Comfort-focused care, with support for the family.
Read more →You don’t have to do it alone
A good first move is getting set up to act on your loved one’s behalf — start with becoming an authorized representative. From there, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free counseling, and a licensed insurance agent can help compare plans at no cost to you. If money is tight, don’t overlook programs that lower Medicare costs — many eligible people never apply.
Ready to compare?
Helping someone with their coverage?
Enter your ZIP and we’ll take you to PlanMatch Medicare to compare the 2026 plans available where you live.