Friday, March 22, 2024

How Do I Enroll In Medicare Part A Only

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And Still Working: Should You Enroll In Medicare

How To Sign Up for Medicare & When (step-by-step) 2023

Dear Carrie,

Im planning to continue to work past age 65, and wondering if I should stick with my employers health insurance or move over to Medicare. How do I decide?

A Reader

Dear Reader,

This is becoming a common question as more and more people decide to work past age 65. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, 26.6 percent of people aged 65-74 remained in the workforceand those numbers are projected to continue to grow. This can be seen as a positive since it means were redefining aging. At the same time, though, adequate health insurance remains essential.

So its an important questionand the answer largely depends on the size of your employer, as well as the cost and coverage of your current plan as compared to Medicare. Youll need to familiarize yourself with the pertinent Medicare regulations and deadlines to ensure the most seamless transitionwhether that happens at age 65 or later.

Also realize that once you file for Social Security, youre automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65. However, you have the option to opt out of Part B, which you may want to do if you are covered by an employer plan.

If you havent filed for Social Security, you can choose to enroll in just Medicare Part A or both Parts A and B . Alternatively, you can postpone enrolling until you stop working. Lets take a look at some Medicare basics as well as some of the factors that can help you decide.

Sign Up: Within 8 Months After You Or Your Spouse Stop Working

  • Most people dont have to pay a premium for Part A . So, you may want to sign up for Part A when you turn 65, even if you or your spouse are still working.
  • Youll pay a monthly premium for Part B , so you may want to wait to sign up for Part B.

Avoid the penalty & gap in coverageIf you miss this 8-month Special Enrollment Period, youll have to wait to sign up and go months without coverage. You might also pay a monthly penalty for as long as you have Part B. The penalty goes up the longer you wait to sign up. How much is the Part B late enrollment penalty?

Your Medicare Special Enrollment Period

If your employer has at least 20 employees and youre still working and covered under that plan when you turn 65, you can delay your enrollment in Medicare . In that case, youll get an eight-month special enrollment period to sign up for Medicare if and when you leave your job or your employer stops offering coverage. It will start the month after you separate from your employer, or the month after your group health coverage ends whichever happens sooner.

Sign up during those eight months, and you wont have to worry about premium surcharges for being late. And the eight-month special enrollment period is also available if youre delaying Part B enrollment because youre covered under your spouses employer-sponsored plan, assuming their employer has at least 20 employees.

But note that in either case, it has to be a current employer. If youre covered under COBRA or a retiree plan, you wont avoid the Part B late enrollment penalty when you eventually enroll, and you wont have access to a special enrollment period to sign up for Part B youll have to wait for the general enrollment period instead.

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Your Plan Options And Premiums Will Change

After you submit proof of Medicare enrollment to STRS Ohio, your STRS Ohio plan options and premiums will change.

Plans for Medicare enrollees include the Aetna Medicare Plan, the Medical Mutual Basic Plan or a regional plan if available in your area.

Premiums for the STRS Ohio Medicare plans are lower than the non-Medicare plans. Also, premiums for benefit recipients enrolled in an STRS Ohio Medicare plan have been reduced by a $30 Medicare Part B premium credit.

You can review your new plan options and premiums in your Online Personal Account or call STRS Ohio for this information.

Note: If you are not currently enrolled in an STRS Ohio plan, initial eligibility for and enrollment in Medicare is a qualifying event that allows you to add STRS Ohio coverage outside of open enrollment. You can enroll in a plan through your Online Personal Account.

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What If I Have To Pay Part A Premiums

How Do I Register For Medicare Part A

If you have paid the Medicare tax for under 30 quarters , then you will have to pay the full premium amount for Part A. This comes out to $506 per month, which is likely quite expensive compared to your group health insurance. If youve paid the Medicare tax for 30-39 quarters, your Part A premium will be $278 per month.

If youve paid Medicare Tax for a number of quarters almost reaching 40, it may be worth it to delay your Part A coverage until then. That is, assuming you have the coverage you need from your employer. If you have employee coverage, you wont be penalized, but also wont waste money on a plan that is probably superfluous for most people.

Premium-free Part A is worth it to enroll in not because of the coverage it provides in addition to your employer plan, but simply because its free. Most people will never actually use their secondary Part A coverage at all — but they arent paying for it. If you do have to pay for this plan and still have to use it as secondary insurance, it can be a waste. However, it can be worth it for some people, depending on your conditions and medical needs.

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If You Are Under Age 65 And Disabled:

If you are under age 65 and disabled, and have been entitled to disability benefits under Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months, you will be automatically entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B beginning the 25th month of disability benefit entitlement. You will not need to do anything to enroll in Medicare. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about 3 months before your Medicare entitlement date. , you get your Medicare benefits the first month you get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.) For more information about enrollment, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security web site. See also Social Security’s Medicare FAQs.

For more information, see Medicare.gov

When To Sign Up And Apply For Medicare

Home / FAQs / General Medicare / When to Sign Up and Apply for Medicare

When you are new to Medicare, you probably have questions regarding when and how to apply for Medicare. Understanding when to sign up for Medicare and knowing the right way to enroll in Medicare coverage is important. Below, we tell you how and when to apply for Medicare.

Find Medicare Plans in 3 Easy Steps

We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today

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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 Medicare hospital insurance if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can sign up for 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 .

When Should I Sign Up For Medicare

Working Past 65: When You Have to Enroll in Medicare at 65

Generally, we advise people to file for Medicare benefits 3 months before age 65. Remember, Medicare benefits can begin no earlier than age 65. If you are already receiving Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B without an additional application. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. You will receive a Medicare card about two months before age 65. If you would like to file for Medicare only, you can apply by calling 1-800-772-1213. Our representatives there can make an appointment for you at any convenient Social Security office and advise you what to bring with you. When you apply for Medicare, we often also take an application for monthly benefits. You can apply for retirement benefits online.

If you didnt sign up when you were first eligible for Medicare, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1 and March 31 each year, unless you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

Also Check: How Do I Register For Medicare Part A

When Do I Have To Sign Up For Medicare When Can I Add Prescription Drug Coverage

If you delay enrollment in Medicare Part A, Part B, and/or Part D, you might not be able to enroll just anytime. You might have a Special Enrollment Period, which varies depending on your situation. Learn more about Medicare enrollment periods.

Enrollment in a plan may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a special enrollment period or you are in your Medicare Initial Election Period.

Ready to get started? Find a plan that fits your budget and covers your doctor and prescriptions now

What Happens When I Retire

It’s important to understand what your options are once you retire. The first step is to find out if you can keep the coverage you have now when you retire, and whether or not it can be combined with Original Medicare coverage. If you have group retiree health coverage, you’ll need to contact the plan’s benefits administrator to learn about how the coverage works with Medicare and what you need to do.

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Enrolling When You Turn : The Initial Enrollment Period

Three months before your 65th birthday month, you will enter something known as the Initial Enrollment Period . This period lasts for 7 months: 3 months before your birthday month, your birthday month itself, and 3 months after. During this period, you will have full Medicare eligibility.

This period depends on the month of your birthday only, so the actual day your birthday is on is irrelevant. If your birthday is in April, your IEP will begin in January whether your birthday is on the 5th or the 25th.

For most people, enrollment in Part A as well as Medicare Part B will be automatic. If you are receiving Social Security benefits already, then your Part A enrollment will be automatic and you will have to specifically let Medicare know that you dont want to enroll. This will be the case even if you have an employer health plan.

If you have paid the Medicare tax for 40 quarters or more or you receive Social Security retirement benefits, your enrollment will be automatic. If dont want Part A, make sure to contact Medicare to defer your enrollment.

How To Apply Online For Just Medicare

Should I Enroll In Medicare If I Have Employer Insurance

Are you within three months of turning age 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly Social Security benefits yet? You can use our online retirement application to sign up just for Medicare and wait to apply for your retirement or spouses benefits later. It takes less than 10 minutes, and there are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required.

To find out what documents and information you need to apply, go to the .

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What Are The 4 Types Of Medicare

  • Part A: Hospital coverage .
  • Part B: Medical coverage Parts A and B offered together are referred to as Original Medicare.
  • Part C: Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare, offered through private insurance companies. This usually includes additional coverage for prescriptions, vision care, and dental services.
  • Part D: This is a prescription drug plan that can be added onto Original Medicare for prescription drug coverage.
  • You can enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B in the following ways:

    • Online at www.SocialSecurity.gov.
    • In person at your local Social Security office.

    If you worked at a railroad, enroll in Medicare by contacting the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 . You can call Monday through Friday, 9AM to 3:30PM, to speak to an RRB representative.

    Medicare Part D Enrollment: Common Mistakes To Avoid

    One major pitfall youll want to avoid with your Medicare prescription drug coverage is the late enrollment penalty. This penalty is an amount that is permanently added to your Medicare drug plans premium. You may have to pay this penalty if there is a period of 63 days or more after your Medicare IEP where you dont have creditable prescription drug coverage. Creditable drug coverage refers to a drug plan that pays at least as much as Medicare Part D on average.7

    There are a few common mistakes that could land you with a :8

    • Not enrolling in Medicare as soon as you can: Try to enroll in a Medicare or Medicare Advantage drug plan as soon as you qualify for Medicare. That way, you can avoid a late enrollment penalty later, even if you dont need prescription drugs right now.
    • Not getting Medicare drug coverage if you lose other insurance: Once you go 63 days in a row without a Medicare drug plan or creditable drug coverage, you run the risk of getting a late enrollment penalty.
    • Not keeping track of your records: If you get your prescription drugs with the help of creditable drug coverage, keep your plans records handy. If you dont tell your Medicare plan about this coverage, you may end up having to pay the late enrollment penalty.

    When you enroll, its important to compare plans before you make a decision. Medicare Part D plans may differ based on their pharmacy networks, their premiums or the drugs they cover. Make sure you find a plan that works best for you.

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    Can I Sign Up For Medicare Plans Online

    Enrolling in Medicare coverage options online is generally easy and quick. More and more people are signing up online, according to an eHealth study. According to eHealthâs survey, the majority of enrollees are happy with their Medicare coverage with 88% saying they are âvery satisfiedâ with their plans.

    How Do I Enroll In Medicare

    Medicare Basics: Parts A, B, C & D

    Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to enroll in Medicare or to ask questions about whether you are eligible. You can also visit their web site at www.socialsecurity.gov.

    The Medicare.gov Web site also has a tool to help you determine if you are eligibile for Medicare and when you can enroll. It is called the Medicare Eligibility Tool.

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    The General Enrollment Period

    If you didn’t complete your Part A or Part B enrollment during one of your other enrollment periods, you will have to wait until the General Enrollment Period, which lasts from January to March. Your Part A or Part B coverage will begin in July of that year.

    Depending on your situation, you will still have to pay the late penalties and may also have a gap in coverage.

    Medicare Part C An Alternative To Original Medicare

    When you enroll in Medicare, you have the option to choose a Medicare Advantage plan as an alternative to Original Medicare, which includes Medicare A and B. Medicare Advantage is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that provides all Part A and B benefits.

    On the plus side, a Medicare Advantage plan also usually provides Part D benefits as well as sometimes providing extras like vision and dental at a lower total cost. On the minus side, you generally have to choose doctors within a particular medical network and get a referral to see a specialist. Another caveat: in some cases, joining a Medicare Advantage plan could cause you to lose your employer plan. Be sure to check with your benefits administrator.

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    Signing Up For Medicare Part D

    Signing up for Medicare Part D is simple. Once you enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in Medicare Part D.

    Like other parts of Medicare, unless you have creditable coverage, enrolling during your initial enrollment period is best to avoid future penalties. To enroll, you must apply through Medicare and choose to enroll in any plan in your service area.

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    We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today

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    If You Already Receive Benefits From Social Security:

    Questions Doctors Ask Medicare Patients

    If you already get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you are automatically entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn age 65. You will not need to do anything to enroll. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about 3 months before your 65th birthday. If your 65th birthday is February 20, 2010, your Medicare effective date would be February 1, 2010.

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