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Medicare is a national health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and those with end-stage renal disease.
If you’re turning 65 soon, you’ll have some critical healthcare decisions to make.
If you aren’t sure as to what all the parts of Medicare are, we have compiled all of them for you.
Known as Medigap Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans fill in the “gaps” of medical costs that aren’t covered by Original Medicare, such as coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles.
Medicare Advantage Plans, or Medicare Part C, can be used to substitute Medicare Part A and B, as well as offer prescription drug coverage.
You can enroll in Original Medicare three months before you turn 65 until three months after the month of your 65th birthday.
We have acquired an abundance of knowledge, and we’re eager to share this expertise with you in the form of articles and blog posts.
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When to apply for Medicare differs for everyone. If you’re new, it can seem intimidating at first, but it’s fairly easy. Midwest Trusted Benefit walks many clients through the Medicare application process each year, so keep reading to learn how to apply.
The Social Security office manages applications for Parts A and B, and you can choose to apply online, by phone, or in-person. You don’t enroll in Parts C and D through Social Security.
Your application for Social Security benefits is separate from Medicare. People transition into Medicare when they turn 65, no matter if they’re already taking retirement income benefits.
If you’re a U.S. citizen age 65 or older and need health insurance, you’re allowed to apply for Medicare. But don’t expect Medicare to remind you of when it’s time to enroll.
If you’re already taking Social Security income or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Parts A and B at 65. Your Medicare card should come in the mail 1-2 months before your 65th birthday.
If you’re not taking retirement benefits yet, you’ll have to file a Medicare application on your own. The government expects you to know when to sign up.
When to apply for Parts A, B and D depends on whether Medicare will be your primary insurance or if you still have employer coverage.
If Medicare will be your primary coverage, you should apply at some point in the three months before the month you turn 65.
This time is known as your initial enrollment period (IEP), which is a seven-month window for you to register to avoid penalties. Your IEP ends the three months after the month you turn 65.
Medicare Initial Enrollment Period — Seven Months
If you register Part A and/or Part B in this month: | Your coverage begins: |
The month you turn 65 | 1 month after you register |
1 month after you turn 65 | 2 months after you register |
2 months after you turn 65 | 3 months after you register |
3 months after you turn 55 | 3 months after you register |
During the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) | July 1st |
Many Medicare users like to apply online without having to leave their home. If you’re one of these people, just visit the Social Security website and follow the links to apply for Medicare. It’s a quick application. Remember, you don’t have to be getting income benefits to sign up for Medicare!
While waiting for your Medicare card to show up, we can help you understand your supplemental insurance options. Then you’ll be ready to arrange the rest of your coverage as soon as you get your card.
Applying for Medicare online is the easiest way to do it. On rare occasions, people have problems due to incorrect info in Social Security’s system. If this happens, you can consider applying by phone.
Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the Social Security representative that you want to appy for Medicare. If you’re helped immediately, they’ll schedule a phone appointment with you to take your application.
If the representative sends you forms to fill out, these are usually pretty simple. Be aware that phone applications for Medicare can take many weeks. We suggest only using this option if you have one or two months before your planned Medicare effective date.
Other people would rather apply for Medicare in person at their local Social Security office. If you’re about to turn 65 and need to have your application processed quickly, this is a convenient option.
Go to the Social Security website to find the nearest office to you. When you meet with a spokesperson, you can ask for a form that shows you’ve applied for Original Medicare. Then, you’ll be able to proceed with your Medigap application and/or Part D plan.
Do You Have to Appy for Medicare Each Year?
No. You only need to submit one Medicare application.
Your Original Medicare coverage will automatically renew every year unless you stop paying your premiums. Your prescription drug plan will auto-renew each year, too, but the plan benefits can change. For this reason, you should review your plan annually during Medicare’s AEP.
When Will You Get Your Medicare Card?
After you apply for Medicare, you’ll typically get your card about three weeks later. If you’re already benefitting from Social Security when you hit 65, your enrollment will be automatic. Your card will be in your mailbox about two months before your 65th birthday.
When you get your card, don’t forget to sign up for Part D — if you need prescription drug coverage — before your IEP ends.
What About When You Have Large Employer Coverage?
If you’re actively working at a company with 20 or more employees, Medicare will be secondary to your employer insurance. In this case, you can choose to enroll in Part B or wait to do it until later. You can learn more about Medicare and employer coverage here. And, if you have any issues with enrollment, call us at (402) 740-5505.
If you’re still concerned about applying for Medicare, you don’t have to file your application alone. We’re here to help you sign up and set up your Medigap and Part D plans, if you need other coverage. Our service is FREE! And, we provide ongoing support for the remainder of your policy. Don’t wait. Contact Midwest Trusted Benefit today.
We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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