Medicare Guide for People Turning 65

If you are turning 65 soon, you may have some questions about Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, people with certain disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Medicare has four parts: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage).

In this blog post, we will explain how to enroll in Medicare, what are the different parts of Medicare, and what are your coverage options. We will also provide some tips and resources to help you learn more about Medicare and make the best decision for your healthcare needs.

How to Sign up for Medicare when you turn 65

The process of enrolling in Medicare depends on whether you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, or whether you need to sign up for them.

If you are already receiving Social Security or RRB benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65. You will receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months before your 65th birthday. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month you turn 65, or the first day of the previous month if your birthday is on the first day of the month.

If you do not want to keep Part B, you can decline it by following the instructions that come with your card. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you decide to enroll in Part B later.

If You Need to Sign Up for Social Security or RRB Benefits

If you are not receiving Social Security or RRB benefits, you will need to sign up for them and enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP is a seven-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends three months after your birthday month.

To sign up for Social Security or RRB benefits and enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, you can:

• Apply online at ssa.gov or Medicare.gov respectively.
• Call Social Security
• Visit your local Social Security or RRB office.

You should sign up for Medicare during the first three months of your IEP to avoid delays in your coverage. Your coverage will begin the first day of your birthday month, or the first day of the previous month if your birthday is on the first day of the month.

If you are still working and have health insurance through your employer or union, you may be able to delay enrolling in Part B without a penalty. You can enroll in Part B later during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when your employer or union coverage ends. To learn more about SEPs, visit Medicare.gov.

If You Have a Disability or a Qualifying Condition

If you have a disability or a qualifying condition, you may be able to get Medicare earlier than age 65. You can get Medicare after receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, or after receiving RRB disability benefits for 29 months. You can also get Medicare if you have ESRD or ALS, regardless of your age.

If you qualify for Medicare because of a disability or a condition, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A and Part B when your benefits start. You will receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months before your benefits start. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month your benefits start, or the first day of the previous month if your benefits start on the first day of the month.

If you do not want to keep Part B, you can decline it by following the instructions that come with your card. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you decide to enroll in Part B later.

What Are the Different Parts of Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare has four parts that cover different types of healthcare services and costs. Here is a brief overview of each part:

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care. Part A is free for most people who have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. If you have not paid enough taxes, you may have to pay a monthly premium for Part A.

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Part B covers outpatient care, such as doctor visits, preventive services, lab tests, x-rays, mental health services, durable medical equipment, and some drugs. Part B has a monthly premium that depends on your income and a yearly deductible that you have to pay before Medicare pays its share. You also have to pay a coinsurance or copayment for most services.

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Part C is an alternative way to get your Medicare coverage. Part C plans are offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. Part C plans cover everything that Part A and Part B cover, and may also offer extra benefits, such as vision, dental, hearing, wellness programs, and prescription drug coverage. Part C plans have different costs and rules than Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), so you should compare them carefully before choosing one.

Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

Part D covers prescription drugs that you get at a pharmacy or by mail order. Part D Plans are offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. Part D Plans have different costs and rules than Original Medicare, so you should compare them carefully before choosing one. You may have to pay a monthly premium, a yearly deductible, and a copayment or coinsurance for your drugs. You may also have to pay a penalty if you enroll in Part D late.

What Are Your Coverage Options

When you enroll in Medicare, you have two main options for how to get your coverage: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare is the traditional way to get your Medicare coverage. It includes Part A and Part B, and you can add Part D if you want prescription drug coverage. You can also buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy from a private insurance company to help pay some of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

With Original Medicare, you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare in the U.S. You do not need a referral to see a specialist. However, Original Medicare does not cover everything. For example, it does not cover routine dental care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, long-term care, or cosmetic surgery.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to get your Medicare coverage. It includes Part A and Part B, and usually Part D as well. It may also offer extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental, hearing, wellness programs, and more.

With Medicare Advantage, you get your coverage from a private insurance company that contracts with Medicare. You have to follow the plan’s rules and use the plan’s network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral to see a specialist. However, Medicare Advantage may have lower costs and more benefits than Original Medicare.

You can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage during certain times of the year. To learn more about when you can switch, visit Medicare.gov.

Medicare Enrollment: How to Get Started with

If you are turning 65 soon and want to get started with Medicare, here are some steps you can take:

• Check your eligibility for Medicare at Medicare.gov.
• Learn about the different parts of Medicare and how they work at Medicare.gov.
• Compare your coverage options and costs at Medicare.gov.
• Enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period at ssa.gov or Medicare.gov.
• Choose a Part D Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan that meets your needs at Medicare.gov.
• Review your coverage every year during the Open Enrollment Period at Medicare.gov and make changes if needed.

We’re Here to Help

You do not have to spend hours reading articles on the internet to get answers to your Medicare Questions. Give Green Insurance Agency a Call at 904-717-1176. You will get the answers you seek in a matter of minutes, with no pressure and no sales pitch. We are truly here to help.