What Can I Do Next
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.
Because the company has less than 20 employees, your job-based coverage might not pay for health services if you dont have both Part A and Part B.
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?
Estimate Your Total Medicare Costs: Premiums & Out
What you pay for Medicare will depend on the coverage you choose and the health care services you use during the year. You may pay premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Which type of costs you pay and how much will vary based on your coverage.
A good rule here is to create estimates of your costs based on the different Medicare plan options youre exploring. This can help you see which choice may fit your budget best.
Recommended Reading: Why Is Medicare Advantage Free
When Can You Enroll In Medicare Advantage
You can enroll in Medicare Advantage during your Initial Enrollment Period. But you must first sign up for Parts A and B during your Initial Enrollment Period.
You can also enroll if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. If you lose your health insurance at your job, you can sign up for a plan up to eight months after losing your coverage.
How To Apply For Medicare In Person
Some people prefer to apply for Medicare in person at a local Social Security office. This can be a convenient option if you are very close to turning 65 and need to get your application processed quickly.
Visit the Social Security website to search for the nearest office in your state. When you meet with a representative, ask for a printout which shows that you have applied for Medicare Part A & B. This form will give you all the information you need to move forward with your Medicare Supplement application and/or Part D prescription drug plan.
You can also ask the representative about your Medicare costs, if you paid the necessary payroll taxes for premium-free Part A, if you are subject to Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount due to having a higher income, and your payment options. For example, if you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you can pay a direct quarterly bill or you can pay online monthly.
Also Check: Will Medicare Pay For Electric Scooter
After You Apply For Medicare
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.
Sign Up: Within 8 Months After Your Family Member Stopped Working
- Your current coverage might not pay for health services if you dont have both Part A and Part B .
- If you have Medicare due to a disability or ALS , youll already have Part A coverage.
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 until you turn 65. The penalty goes up the longer you wait to sign up. How much is the Part B late enrollment penalty?
Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Pay For Penile Pumps
When Should I Sign Up For Medicare
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.
Decide If You Want Coverage For Prescription Drugs Dental Vision & Fitness
Original Medicare doesnt provide coverage for prescription drugs, dental, eye health, hearing, fitness and a few other benefits.
In most cases, if you want Medicare coverage for all of these, youll need to look at getting a Medicare Advantage plan. If you just want to get prescription drug coverage, you can choose to get either a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with included drug coverage.
Don’t Miss: Is Medicare Advantage Part Of Medicare
How To Sign Up For Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans: When Can I Enroll
Medicare Supplement insurance plans are voluntary, additional coverage that helps fills the gaps in coverage for Original Medicare. The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan is during your individual Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is the six-month period that begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 and have Medicare Part B. If you decide to delay your enrollment in Medicare Part B for certain reasons such as having health coverage based on current employment, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period will not begin until you sign up for Part B.
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you have a âguaranteed-issue rightâ to buy any Medigap plan sold in your state. This means that insurance companies cannot reject your application for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan based on pre-existing health conditions or disabilities. They also cannot charge you a higher premium based on your health status. Outside of this open enrollment period, you may not be able to join any Medigap plan you want, and insurers can require you to undergo medical underwriting. You may have to pay more if you have health problems or disabilities.
Can You Have An Hsa With Medicare
Medicare is the federal governments health coverage for Americans age 65 and older and others living with certain disabilities or chronic conditions.
If you established an HSA before you enrolled in Medicare, you can still use the funds from the account. But in order to save to an HSA, you must be enrolled in an HSA-eligible health plan and you cant be covered by other insurance, such as Medicare. This means you cant contribute to an HSA once youre enrolled in Medicare.
Theres a six-month contribution look-back period if you sign up for Medicare after age 65 , which means you receive retroactive health coverage and cant make contributions during that period. To avoid penalties, you should stop saving to your HSA six months before you enroll in Medicare.
Read Also: Does Medicare Cover International Medical Emergencies
Do I Have To Sign Up For Medicare If Im Still Working At 65
If you are receiving health insurance through your employer, you can choose to delay your Medicare Part B without being penalized. When your group coverage or private insurance coverage is ending, dont forget to apply for Medicare Part B. Even if you choose to delay your Part B, we suggest you still take out your Medicare Part A when you turn 65.
Dont be afraid to ask questions. Before signing up with a Medicare plan, know what will be covered and what the projected cost of your health needs will be for the year. Caress Insurance Agency, Inc. has agents in San Diego County, and we work with Mercy Scripps Hospital to help answer your Medicare questions and provide you with the latest information on your Medicare Insurance Plans.
Use our online tool to easily compare plans and get a custom quote tailored to your unique needs: !
- 550 Washington St., Suite 841San Diego, CA 92103
How To Enroll In Medicare With The Government
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 and older. When you are turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare for the first time, there are important dates and other things to consider before making your decision.
There are coverage gaps in Original Medicare . Most people choose one of two ways to cover the gap, Medicare Supplement plans , or Medicare Advantage Plan.
You May Like: Does Medicare Plan F Cover International Travel
Learn About The Different Ways To Get Medicare Benefits
There are two ways to get Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, and a total of seven different ways to combine all the different parts of Medicare to create comprehensive coverage.
To get Medicare Parts A & B, you can either choose to get your benefits through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Original Medicare is administered by the federal government. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and provide all the same benefits as Original Medicare as well as additional benefits, such as coverage for prescription drugs and for dental, vision and hearing care all in one plan.
Once you decide how you want to get Parts A & B, check out the different ways to combine the different Medicare parts.
Hsas And Medicare: What You Need To Know
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here’s how we make money.
Health savings accounts, or HSAs, can be a useful savings tool for people with high-deductible health plans. But once youve enrolled in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA. This can get tricky, so its helpful to understand how it works.
HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that let you save and use pretax money for medical expenses. You can use the money in these accounts to pay for costs like copays and deductibles, over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs.
To save to an HSA, you must have a high-deductible health plan, or HDHP. In 2022, an HDHP is defined by the IRS as a plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family, with an out-of-pocket expense cap of no more than $7,050 or $14,100, respectively.
Don’t Miss: Is Medicare A Social Security Benefit
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.
How To Apply Online For Just Medicare
If you are 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 .
You May Like: How To Learn Medicare Billing
When To Apply For Medicare
Medicare is separate from your application for Social Security income benefits. People age into Medicare at age 65, regardless of whether they are taking retirement income benefits yet. If you are a citizen age 65 or older and need medical insurance, you are entitled to enroll in Medicare. You can also qualify for Medicare early due to certain disabilities, having Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , or End-Stage Renal disease and need a transplant or on dialysis.
Dont expect that Medicare will notify you of when its time to sign-up either. This can be especially important for those who live out of the country.
If you are already taking Social Security income benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B at age 65. Your card should arrive 1-2 months before you turn 65. This timeframe also applies to those who qualify early due to disability. However, you will not automatically receive Part B benefits if you live in Puerto Rico. This means you will need to apply for Part B even if you receive Social Security benefits before age 65.
If you are NOT yet taking retirement benefits, then you will need to submit a Medicare application yourself. The government expects for you to know when to enroll. Lets look at the timeline for when and how to register for Medicare.
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 Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cover
Ways To Apply For Disability Benefits:
- If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
Once your disability benefits start, well mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card.
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 for Part B and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
When Does Your Medigap Policy Coverage Begin
Once you receive your Medicare card, you can apply for a Medigap policy. Its best to apply as soon as you have your Medicare card. If you apply one to three months before your 65th birthday month, that will allow enough time for your application to be processed and will also ensure your Medicare Supplement Insurance coverage begins the same month that Medicare kicks in for you.
Read Also: Is It Mandatory To Have Medicare Part D
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.
Signing Up For A Medicare Part D Plan
Medicare Part D drug coverage is optional and available to anyone with Medicare Part A and Part B.
Two Ways to Get Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
In both cases, you must already be enrolled in Original Medicare.
You can explore and compare available Part D plans on the Medicare website.
You can also call your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free help.
Once you find a plan that meets your needs, there are a few ways to sign up.
Four Ways to Sign Up for a Part D Drug Plan
To sign up for a Medicare Part D plan, you will need your Medicare number and the date your Part A and Part B coverage started. You can find this information on your Medicare card or on MyMedicare.gov.
Other Information You Need to Provide
- Your primary mailing address
- Whether you had or have other drug coverage
- How you want to pay your premiums
Coverage usually begins the first day of the month after enrollment.
If you switch plans during the open enrollment period , your new coverage will start Jan. 1.
Don’t Miss: How Much Is Deducted From My Social Security For Medicare
