Sunday, March 17, 2024

How Do I Apply For Medicare Part A Online

Don't Miss

How Do I Sign Up For Medicare Part B If I Already Have Part A

How To Apply For Medicare Online – Step By Step

If you are already enrolled in Medicare Part A and you would like to enroll in Part B under the Special Enrollment Period , you can apply online at Apply for Medicare Part B Online during a Special Enrollment Period. You can upload your application and documents that verify your group health plan coverage through your employer.

You can also fax or mail your completed CMS-40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B and the CMS-L564, Request for Employment Information enrollment forms and evidence of employment to your local Social Security office. If you have questions, please contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 .

Note: When completing the forms CMS-40B and CMS-L564:

  • State I want Part B coverage to begin in the remarks section of the CMS-40B form or online application.
  • If your employer is unable to complete Section B, please complete that portion as best as you can on behalf of your employer without your employer’s signature.
  • Also submit one of the following forms of secondary evidence:
    • Income tax returns that show health insurance premiums paid.
    • W-2s reflecting pre-tax medical contributions.
    • Pay stubs that reflect health insurance premium deductions.
    • Health insurance cards with a policy effective date.
    • Explanations of benefits paid by the GHP or LGHP.
    • Statements or receipts that reflect payment of health insurance premiums.

For Insurance Quotes By Phonetty 711 Mon

MedicareInsurance.com, DBA of Health Insurance Associates LLC, is privately owned and operated. MedicareInsurance.com is a non-government asset for people on Medicare, providing resources in easy to understand format. The government Medicare site is www.medicare.gov.

This website and its contents are for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for experienced medical advice. We recommend consulting with your medical provider regarding diagnosis or treatment, including choices about changes to medication, treatments, diets, daily routines, or exercise.

This communications purpose is insurance solicitation. A licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company will contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not linked with or sanctioned by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

MULTIPLAN_GHHK5LLEN_2021

The Parts Of Medicare

Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare .

  • Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility . Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
  • Medicare Part B 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.

  • Supplemental policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
  • Medicare Advantage Plan 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.
  • Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.

Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medical hospital insurance if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can enroll in Medicare medical insurance by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium. To learn more, read .

Don’t Miss: What Is Medicare Insurance Plans

When Can You Sign Up If You Missed The Initial Enrollment Period

If you didnt sign up when you were first eligible and you dont have current healthcare coverage elsewhere , youll have to wait for the next General Enrollment Period which runs each year from January 1 through March 31.

Your coverage will then begin in July of that year, and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty on your Medicare Part B premium for as long as you have Part B coverage. Your premium will go up by 10% for every 12-month period you werent enrolled.

Signing Up For A Medigap Policy

How to Enroll in Medicare

To purchase a Medigap supplement insurance policy, you must first enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.

Medigap policies are not required but enrolling in one can help you pay out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.

The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is when you are first eligible.

This is a six-month enrollment period that begins the month youre 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

If you apply for Medigap coverage after this six-month window, private insurance companies may not sell you a policy if youre in poor health.

You can find a Medigap policy by using an online tool on the Medicare website, contacting your local SHIP or calling your State Insurance Department.

How to Sign Up for a Medigap Policy Online

Also Check: How Can I Contact Medicare By Telephone

If You Disagree With Our Decision

If you disagree with the decision we made about your income-related monthly adjustment amounts, you have the right to appeal. The fastest and easiest way to file an appeal of your decision is online. You can file online and provide documents electronically to support your appeal. You can file an appeal online even if you live outside of the United States.

You may also request an appeal in writing by completing a Request for Reconsideration , or you may contact your local Social Security office to file your appeal. You can use the appeal form online, or request a copy through our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 . You dont need to file an appeal if youre requesting a new decision because you experienced one of the events listed and, it made your income go down, or if youve shown us the information we used is wrong.

If you disagree with the MAGI amount we received from the IRS, you must correct the information with the IRS. If we determine you must pay a higher amount for Medicare prescription drug coverage, and you dont have this coverage, you must call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-MEDICARE to make a correction. Social Security receives the information about your prescription drug coverage from CMS.

When To Apply For Medicare Part A And Part B

The Initial Enrollment Period is usually the first time you can apply for Medicare. There are a few special circumstances that might allow you to enroll earlier . But in general, people apply for Medicare within their seven-month IEP.

Heres what the Initial Enrollment Period looks like:

  • Three full months before your 65th birthday month
  • The entire month in which you turn 65
  • Three full months after your birthday month

If you miss your sign-up window for Medicare Part A and Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, there is also a General Enrollment Period every year from January 1 to March 31. And if you defer your Part B coverage , there is a Special Enrollment Period.

As a word of caution, if youre signing up for Medicare outside of your IEP, there are some pitfalls that are easily stepped into. You can read more about enrollment periods here.

Read Also: Does Medicare Pay For Stem Cell Knee Replacement

Explore Your Other Medicare Coverage Options

Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you can explore additional coverage options.

You can decide to:

  • Add a Medigap supplement insurance policy.
  • Add a Part D prescription drug plan.
  • Switch to a Medicare Advantage plan also known as Part C to replace your Original Medicare coverage.

Medicare Part D, Medigap and Medicare Advantage are all administered by private insurance companies that contract with CMS.

You can apply for these benefits online.

Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to explore and compare plans in your area.

When Do You Use This Application

How To Apply For Medicare Online 2020 (Step by Step)

Use this form:

  • If youre in your Initial Enrollment Period and live in Puerto Rico. You must sign up for Part B using this form.
  • If youre in your IEP and refused Part B or did not sign up when you applied for Medicare, but now want Part B.
  • If you want to sign up for Part B during the General Enrollment Period from January 1 March 31 each year.
  • If you refused Part B during your IEP because you had group health plan coverage through your or your spouses current employment. You may sign up during your 8-month Special Enrollment Period .
  • If you have Medicare due to disability and refused Part B during your IEP because you had group health plan coverage through your, your spouse or family memberscurrent employment.
  • You may sign up during your 8-month SEP.

NOTE: Your IEP lasts for 7 months. It begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after you reach 65 .

You May Like: Is Medicare Advantage And Medicare Supplement The Same Thing

How Social Security Determines You Have A Higher Premium

Social Security uses the most recent federal tax return the IRS provides to us. If you must pay higher premiums, we use a sliding scale to calculate the adjustments, based on your modified adjusted gross income . Your MAGI is your total adjusted gross income and tax-exempt interest income.

If you file your taxes as married, filing jointly and your MAGI is greater than $176,000, youll pay higher premiums for your Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you file your taxes using a different status, and your MAGI is greater than $88,000, youll pay higher premiums , for an idea of what you can expect to pay).

If you must pay higher premiums, well send you a letter with your premium amount and the reason for our determination. If you have both Medicare Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage, youll pay higher premiums for each. If you have only one Medicare Part B or Medicare prescription drug coverage youll pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount only on the benefit you have. If you decide to enroll in the other program later in the same year, and you already are paying an income-related monthly adjustment amount, well apply an adjustment automatically to the other program when you enroll. In this case, we wont send you another letter explaining how we made this determination.

Remember, if your income isnt greater than the limits described above, this law does not apply to you.

Applying For Medicare Online

Signing up for Medicare online is an easy process if you’ve never enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Follow these steps:

  • Go to the Social Security Administration website.
  • Follow the instructions on the siteit takes about 10 minutes.
  • Mail in the required documents to the Social Security office.
  • Wait for your red, white, and blue Medicare card to arrive in the mail.
  • Heads up: When sending in your documents, pay close attention. The Social Security Administration requires original or certified copies of some documents, like your birth certificate, but allows photocopies of others, like your W-2. Theyll even ask you not to mail in certain documents that could be hard to replace. Either way, just follow the guidelines and the SSA will send your documents back as soon as they can.

    Thats itpretty simple. But what if youre already enrolled in Medicare Part A and now you need Part B?

    Read Also: Is Sonobello Covered By Medicare

    You Automatically Get Medicare

    • You should already have Part A and Part B , because you have ALS and youre already getting disability benefits.
    • We mailed you a welcome package with your Medicare card.

    Sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.

    • Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card 3 months before your Medicare coverage starts.

    Sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.You get Part A automatically. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it. If you dont sign up for Part B within 3 months after your Part A starts, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

    • Well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card 3 months before your Medicare coverage starts.

    Sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.You get Part A automatically. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it. If you dont sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

    After You Apply For Medicare

    Medicare Part B Enrollment: When to Apply

    No matter how you applied, once your application is complete, the Social Security office will send you a copy of the information it has on record regarding your application. Be sure to double-check this document for any mistakes, as this is your chance to correct it.

    Some time later, youll get your Medicare card via mail, so be on the lookout for envelopes from the Social Security office.

    Also Check: Does Medicare Offer Home Health Care

    When Is The Medicare Part D Annual Election Period

    If you did not enroll in prescription drug coverage during IEP, you can sign up for prescription drug coverage during the Annual Election Period that runs every year from October 15 to December 7.

    During AEP, you can:

    • Sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan.
    • Drop a Medicare prescription drug plan.
    • Join a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage.
    • Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that doesnât include prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan that does .

    Outside of the Part D Initial Enrollment Period and the Annual Election Period, usually the only time you can make changes to prescription drug coverage without a qualifying Special Election Period is during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period but only if you are dropping Medicare Advantage coverage and switching back to Original Medicare. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31.

    Medicare Part A and Part B do not include prescription drug coverage, and if you switch back to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you will have until March 31 to join a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan.

    Apply For Medicare Online

    Applying for each part of Medicare online is different. As Original Medicare is federal health insurance, you sign up for both on the Social Security Administration website. is your inpatient hospital insurance, and is your outpatient medical insurance. Both parts of Original Medicare are the same for everyone who enrolls.

    In contrast, with Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage , youll need to choose from multiple plan options. Private insurance companies offer these policies, for which coverage varies. You can shop around online to find the best Advantage or Part D plan available to you.

    Also Check: How Does Medicare Work With Social Security

    What Is The Medicare Part A Deductible

    To receive help covering this deductible, many beneficiaries enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. The Medicare Part A deductible benefit period begins when you become an inpatient in the hospital.

    Then, the benefit period continues until youve been out of the hospital for a minimum of 60 days. Any care in a skilled nursing facility after your hospital stay counts toward the benefit period.

    Every time a new benefit period starts, you must meet the Part A deductible. Meaning, if you are out of the hospital for at least 60 days and then need to be re-admitted, you must meet the deductible again.

    Get A Free Quote

    Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in your area

    Documents You Need To Apply For Medicare

    Do I Have to Apply for Medicare?

    To begin the application process, youll need to ensure you have the following documentation to prove identity:

    • A copy of your birth certificate
    • Your drivers license or state I.D. card
    • Proof of U.S. citizenship or proof of legal residency

    You may need additional documents as well. Make sure to have on hand:

    • Your Social Security card
    • W-2 forms if still active in employment
    • Military discharge documents if you previously served in the U.S. military before 1968
    • Information about current health insurance types and coverage dates

    If you are already enrolled in Part A and have chosen to delay enrollment in Part B, you will need to complete additional forms .

  • 40B form: This form allows you to apply for enrollment into Part B only. The 40B form must be included in your online application or mailed directly to the Social Security office.
  • L564 form: Your employer must complete this form if you delayed Part B due to creditable group coverage through a said employer. The completed L564 form also must be included in your online application or mailed directly to the Social Security office.
  • Also Check: Does Humana Offer A Medicare Supplement Plan

    When And How To Apply For Medicare

    Learn about Medicare enrollment periods and how to sign up for all the coverage you need.

    Youre about to get Medicare! Thats great news because the program helps pay for your health care costs and brings peace of mind. But learning how Medicare works and how to apply can be overwhelming. This article breaks down the key Medicare enrollment periods, how they work, and helps you plan for your big enrollment day.

    When Can I Enroll In Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

    Medicare prescription drug coverage is optional and does not occur automatically. You can receive coverage for prescription drugs by either signing up for a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage, also known as a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan. Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans are available through private insurers. Please note that you cannot have both a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan and a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage.

    Don’t Miss: What Is Gap Coverage For Medicare

    More articles

    Popular Articles