When Should I sign up for Medicare?
If you’re eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure.
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How do I sign up for Medicare?
You sign up for Medicare only through the Social Security Administration. You can sign up by following the links on our website or by clicking HERE. Follow the prompts and look for the “start a new application” button. This will allow you to set up a MySocialSecurity account that will allow you to track your progress, request replacement cards, and find answers to many common questions. In a few weeks, you will receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. Hold on to this card as it has a Medicare ID number that is unique to you.
I received my red, white, and blue Medicare card – now what?
You should have received your Medicare card(s) and welcome packet(s) in the mail. Now is the time to understand what your Medicare plan can do for you. You may choose to keep just Medicare part A or enroll in Part B or add on Medigap, Advantage plans, or Part D prescription drug coverage. See a detailed explanation of the different parts of Medicare below.
Can you explain the different parts of Medicare?
Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
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Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay). Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
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Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.
Other parts of Medicare are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.
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Supplemental (Medigap) policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
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Medicare Advantage Plan (previously known as Part C) includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B — prescription drugs and additional benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental — bundled together in one plan.
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Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medical hospital insurance (Part A) if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can enroll in Medicare medical insurance (Part B) by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium.
Should I sign up for additional parts of coverage?
You can sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option to turn it down. Give us a call and we can discuss your individual needs and determine which plans will be right for you?
What is a flex card? How do I know if I am eligible?
Flex cards are debit cards used to purchase medical equipment and items. These cards are issued by private insurance companies as an additional benefit to Medicare Advantage Plans, so, in order to qualify, you must have a participating Advantage plan. Eligibility requirements vary slightly by state and carriers and not all states and carriers offer this benefit. These cards have spending limits that are variable by plan and carrier. Generally speaking, you must live in a zip code where these plans are available and enroll during a qualifying enrollment period.
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The good news is, Medicare Advantage plans do not require beneficiaries to answer underwriting health questions to enroll. However, you must give up Original Medicare to participate in an Advantage plan, so you’ll need to make sure your new plan’s network covers your physicians.
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We are happy to review plan options and provide more details on your specific plan.
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