Holly Carey

Managing Editor

Expertise

Health insurance (including Medicare) •
life insurance •
home insurance •
auto insurance

How I Think About Money “As the editor on the health insurance team, I’ve learned that peace of mind begins with understanding your Medicare or marketplace plan — and revisiting it during open enrollment each year because prices, networks and coverage can change.”

17+ Years of Experience

1 Articles Written

17K+ Readers Reached

Previous experience

U.S. Navy public affairs officer

Education

B.A. in psychology from University of Mary Washington
M.A. in media and communication from Norfolk State University

Holly Carey is a managing editor at NerdWallet. She leads the Health Insurance team and supports other insurance topics including life, auto and homeowners. She joined NerdWallet in 2021 as an editor focused on expanding content to additional topics within personal finance. Previously, Holly wrote and edited content and developed digital media strategies as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy. She is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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Medicare Basics: What You Should Know Before Enrolling

06:29

Featured video

Medicare Basics: What You Should Know Before Enrolling

Medicare is the federal government health insurance program for people who are 65 and older, and younger people living with certain illnesses or disabilities. Kate Ashford breaks down Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and the various parts of Medicare to ensure you understand everything about the insurance program.

Holly's picks

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: How to Choose Original Medicare lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare, while Medicare Advantage may be a better option if you can’t afford a Medigap plan.

By Kate Ashford, WMS™, Elizabeth Aldrich

What Is Medigap, and What Does it Cover?

By Alex Rosenberg, Elizabeth Aldrich

What Is Medicare, and How Does It Work?

By Kate Ashford, WMS™, Elizabeth Aldrich

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: How to Choose Original Medicare lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare, while Medicare Advantage may be a better option if you can’t afford a Medigap plan.

By Kate Ashford, WMS™, Elizabeth Aldrich

GettyImages-1188768244.jpg-medigap-what-to-know-about-medicare-supplement-insurance

What Is Medigap, and What Does it Cover? Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans help pay for certain out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.

By Alex Rosenberg, Elizabeth Aldrich

What Is Medicare, and How Does It Work? Medicare can help cover rising health care costs as you age. But it’s not one size fits all.

By Kate Ashford, WMS™, Elizabeth Aldrich

The latest from Holly

Medicare and Social Security: What You Need to Know

What Is the Medicare Part D Late Enrollment Penalty?

Medicare PPO Plan Explained

What Is Medigap Plan B? What You Need to Know

Medigap Plan A Benefits: What You Need to Know

IRMAA Brackets 2026: What They Are and How They Work