Tuesday, March 26, 2024

How To Sign Up For Medicare At Age 65

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Signing up for Medicare at age 65 // Part B Enrollment

You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security . Coverage cant start earlier than the month you turned 65.

After your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you can only sign up for Part B and Premium-Part A during one of the other enrollment periods.

When Will You Get Your Medicare Card

Your Medicare card will arrive in your Welcome to Medicare packet. Once youve submitted your application, the packet will arrive about two weeks after youve been approved.12

If youre already receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, expect the packet to arrive about three months before you turn 65.

Medicare Eligibility For People Under 62

There are a few exceptions for Medicare age limits that can allow people younger than 65 and under age 62 to enroll in Medicare.

  • If you have ALS , you are immediately eligible for Medicare regardless of your age as soon as your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits begin.
  • You may also qualify for Medicare if you have kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant, which is known as end-stage renal disease .
  • You may also qualify for Medicare at age 62 or any age before 65 if you receive disability benefits from either Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for at least 24 months.

If you qualify for Medicare under the age of 65 because of a disability, you might also qualify for a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan.

Also Check: Can You Use Medicare In Any State

Reasons To Delay Medicare

If youre thinking about deferring Medicare, discuss the pros and cons with your current insurer, union representative, or employer. Its important to know how or if your current plan will work with Medicare, so you can choose the most comprehensive overage possible.

Some of the common reasons you may want to consider deferring Medicare include:

  • You have a plan through an employer that you want to keep.

How Do I Sign Up For Medicare When I Turn 65

Age To Sign Up For Medicare

Signing up for Medicare when you turn 65 is fairly simple. It really cant sneak up on you because youll begin receiving mailings and other information after you turn 64, says Kathe Kline, founder of MedicareQuick.com. She explains that there are three different ways to enroll with the Social Security Administration:

  • In person
  • Online

You can do it in person at your local Social Security office. You can call the Social Security office. Or you can do it online. If youre receiving or applying for Social Security benefits, however, then you cannot use the online sign-up option.

When signing up, Kline offers this tip: Sign up for Medicare Easy Pay, which is automated monthly payments that will be deducted directly from your checking account. Otherwise, youre going to have to remember to pay quarterly for your Part B premium. If youre late, it could result in having your benefits cancelled and cause a huge hassle. You also have the option to request a deduction from your Social Security benefits.

Also Check: What Is Medicare Part G

The Medicare/social Security Connection

Throughout most our lives, 65 was the year both Social Security and Medicare Part A benefits kicked in. Thats because you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when you turn 65 if you are receiving Social Security benefits at that time. Unfortunately, recent changes to Social Security mean that, unless you choose to draw from it early, you must wait until age 66 to begin receiving those benefits. The result of these changes is that some folks arent sure what their responsibilities are when they become eligible for Medicare.

Medicare offers beneficiaries several enrollment periods. The first one is called, appropriately enough, the Initial Enrollment Period . This period lasts for seven months, beginning three months before the month of your birthday and extending three months after your birth month. So, if you turn 65 on June 12, your IEP begins on March 1 and ends on September 30.

Enrolling In Medicare When Working Past 65

Even if you plan to keep working, you still have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period when you turn 65. If an employer has fewer than 20 employees or your spouse’s employer requires you to get Medicare to remain on their plan as a dependent, you will need to enroll during your IEP to avoid late enrollment penalties. You may also decide enrolling in Medicare is your best choice even if you can delay, and in this case, enrolling during your IEP is a good idea.

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Already Enrolled In Medicare

If you have Medicare, you can get information and services online. Find out how to .

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and you want to enroll in Part B, please complete form CMS-40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B . If you are applying for Medicare Part B due to a loss of employment or group health coverage, you will also need to complete form CMS-L564, Request for Employment Information.

You can use one of the following options to submit your enrollment request under the Special Enrollment Period:

  • Fax or mail your CMS-40B, CMS-L564, and secondary evidence to your local Social Security office .
  • 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 possible, your employer should complete Section B.
    • 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 employers signature and submit one of the following forms of secondary evidence:
      • Income tax form that shows 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.

    Some people with limited resources and income may also be able to get .

    What Happens If You Dont Enroll During Your Iep

    How to Sign Up for Medicare When You Turn 65

    Failure to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period may cause a lapse in coverage and lead to late penalties.

    • Part A penalty: If you wait a year or more to sign up for Part A and do not qualify for premium-free benefits, you pay a 10 percent penalty for twice the number of years you waited to enroll.
    • Part B penalty: If you wait to enroll in Part B and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you pay a 10 percent penalty for every year you failed to sign up. This penalty lasts for the entire time you have Medicare.

    If you qualify for premium-free Part A, it is nearly always recommended you enroll as soon as you are able.

    Read Also: How Do I Know If I Have Part D Medicare

    If You Already Have Part A Coverage

    • You will need to complete two paper forms to turn into a local Social Security office.

    • Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B

    • Request for Employment Information

    Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B Form CMS-40B

    • You will complete this form by yourself.

    • Complete #s 1-8, and 12.

    • A note about #12 You must select a Part B start date that is within 90 days of your request. And the start date will always be the 1st of the month.

    Request for Employment Information Form CMS-L564

    • You will complete Section A, and your employer will complete Section B.

    • Section A

    • Complete #s 1-7.

    • A note about #4 This is the person applying for Medicare coverage.

    • A note about #6 This is the person employed at the employerwhich could be the same person listed in #4. It would only be different if a dependent spouse is applying for Medicare when coming off their spouses group health plan.

  • Section B

  • The employer will complete #s 1-5, and the signature section at the bottom

  • A note about #2 Its important the employer mark the month and year the applicants health coverage began with the employerNOT with the current insurance carrier for this year. In most cases, this date should go back to at least when the person was age 65. If not, the applicant will need to complete Form L564 for each employer they worked with since turning 65.

  • And then the employer representative will sign and date the bottom.

  • To find a local SSA offices address, use the SSA Office Locator link.

  • Original Medicare Doesnt Cover Everything

    Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs, custodial care or most hearing, vision or dental care. Medicare only partially covers some services, such as hospitalization, ambulance services and nursing home care, which means you could be responsible for copays and deductibles.

    There are ways to cover at least some of the gap, with Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, or by opting for the privately administered alternative to Original Medicare called Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage . You may also qualify for a state-sponsored Medicare Savings Program, which can help cover deductibles, copayments and more.

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    Medicare Eligibility Age Chart

    Most older adults are familiar with Medicare and its eligibility age of 65. Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are available based on age or, in some cases, health conditions, including:

    • Age 65 or older
    • Disabled
    • End-Stage Renal Disease

    Individuals under 65 and already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for 24 months are eligible for Medicare. Still, most beneficiaries enroll at 65 when they become eligible for Medicare.

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

    Here
    • 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?

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    Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage

    Since Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, signing up for a Part D plan during IEP is a good idea to ensure your medications are covered right away.

    With so many options to consider, take a look at our 10 things to do before you enroll in a Medicare plan for a simple guide to help you make the best decision for your needs.

    Should I Sign Up For Medical Insurance

    With our online application, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B . Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down.

    If youre 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.

    If you choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B and then decide to do so later, your coverage could be delayed and you may have to pay a higher monthly premium for as long as you have Part B. Your monthly premium will go up 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for Part B, but didnt sign up for it, unless you qualify for a “” .

    If you dont enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a general enrollment period from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins on July 1 of the year you enroll. Read our publication for more information.

    Read Also: Do I Need To Sign Up For Medicare Part B

    If I Dont Like My Plan When Can I Change

    Each year between October 15 and December 7, there is an annual enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries. At this time, you can change your MAPD or PDP plans for a January 1 start date. There are other special enrollment periods that may allow you to change your plan during the rest of year. Read this article to find out more.

    How Social Security Benefits Can Affect Medicare Enrollment

    Signing up for Medicare AFTER age 65 // What you need to know

    If you are receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, youll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, even if youre working. Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail about 3 months before your 65th birthday.

    Once youre enrolled in Medicare, a monthly Part B premium will be automatically deducted from your Social Security check. If you dont want Medicare Part B, you need to notify Medicare to opt out. There will be instructions for doing this on the back of your Medicare card.

    If youre not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you will need to enroll yourself in Medicare when you become eligible.

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    How Do I Sign Up For Medicare Supplement Insurance

    The timing for buying Medicare Supplement insurance plans is a bit different. You have guaranteed-issue rights to buy any Medicare Supplement insurance plan sold in your state during the six-month period beginning the month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.

    You can still apply for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan after that time, but the plan doesnt have to accept your application in most states. Depending on your health status, you may not be able to buy the plan you want, or your premiums could be much higher if you have health problems.

    To compare plans, enter your zip code where shown on this page, and click the Medicare Supplement insurance plans tab.

    Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. The product and service descriptions, if any, provided on these eHealth web pages are not intended to constitute offers to sell or solicitations in connection with any product or service. All products are not available in all areas and are subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

    Medicare information is everywhere. What is hard is knowing which information to trust. Because eHealths Medicare related content is compliant with CMS regulations, you can rest assured youre getting accurate information so you can make the right decisions for your coverage. Read more to learn about our Compliance Program.

    Find Plans in your area instantly!

    Medicare Eligibility Before Age 65

    If youre under 65 years old, you might be eligible for Medicare:

    • If you receive disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board for at least 24 months in a row
    • If you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    • If you have end-stage renal disease . ESRD is permanent damage to the kidneys that requires regular dialysis or a kidney transplant

    If youre eligible for Medicare because of any of these circumstances, you may receive health insurance through Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B , which make up Original Medicare. Your enrollment in Medicare may or may not be automatic, as explained below.

    Read Also: How Do I Get Dental And Vision Coverage With Medicare

    Have You Or Your Spouse Worked For At Least 10 Years At Jobs Where You Paid Medicare Taxes

    Generally, youre first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.

    Avoid the penalty If you dont sign up when youre first eligible, 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?

    What If Im Not Automatically Enrolled At 65

    How  and When  Do I Sign Up for Medicare?

    If your Medicare enrollment at 65 is not automatic, but you want to enroll, here are some more magic numbers.

    3 and 7.

    To start taking advantage of Medicare at 65, you need to sign up during the three months before the birthday month you turn 65. Those are the first three months of your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period.

    Unless your birthday is on the first day of the month, your Initial Enrollment Period includes the three full months before turning 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after you turn 65. If you were born on the first day of the month, IEP is the four months before your birth month, along with your birthday month and the two months after.

    If you sign up during one of the months before your 65th birthday, your coverage will begin on the first day of the month you turn 65 .

    Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?

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