With the launch of the government's new health care exchanges on October 1, 2013, I have had a number of clients ask me how this will affect them as Medicare recipients. The answer is “not at all.” The exchanges are intended to serve people you don't get Medicare: typically people who are not yet retired.

If you are on Medicare, you will continue to get your coverage the same way: You will automatically receive Medicare Part A and you will have the option of signing up for Medicare Part B by paying a premium which is automatically deducted from your Social Security check. (Some recipients opt to have a “Medicare Advantage Plan” which takes the place of Parts A and B.) You will also continue to have the option of purchasing a Medicare supplement policy and a Medicare prescription drug plan.