Signing Up For Medicare Manually How To Enroll
If you donât get Medicare automatically, you can manually sign up for Medicare.
To sign up for Medicare manually, you can:
- Visit the Social Security You can apply for Medicare only if youâre not yet ready to receive retirement benefits.
- Apply in person at your local Social Security office.
- If you worked for a railroad, you can apply for Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772, Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 3:30PM. TTY users can dial 1-312-751-4701.
Signing Up For Medicare Advantage Plans
If you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, it is best to do so during your initial enrollment period. This same timeframe applies to Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment. Read more about Initial Enrollment period.
You can enroll in any Medicare Advantage plan available in your service area during this window. If you miss this enrollment period, you must wait until the Annual Enrollment Period to enroll in a plan. Read more about Annual Enrollment Period.
Keep in mind, when enrolling in a plan, it is essential to note that you cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medicare Supplement plan simultaneously. So, before you enroll, it is necessary to compare all Medicare plan options available.
Understanding Your Medicare Enrollment Package
You will receive a Welcome to Medicare package three months before you turn 65 if you are automatically enrolled. It is important to read through this information to help you make decisions. You will have the opportunity to choose which way you want to get your healthcare coverage.
You can purchase supplemental insurance through a private insurance company to help cover costs such as deductibles and coinsurance that are incurred when you use Parts A and B. You can also purchase drug coverage through a private insurance company.
Alternatively, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan which combines Parts A, B, and usually D into one plan. Medicare Advantage Plans are offered through private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. They offer all the medically necessary benefits from Original Medicare Parts A and B, which usually have a drug coverage benefit, plus other things that are not covered through Original Medicare, such as dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
In addition to providing information about which way you choose to get your healthcare coverage, the Medicare enrollment welcome packet will walk you through decisions and consequences related to opting out of Part B, and purchasing Medigap and/or drug coverage during the initial enrollment period versus waiting until later.
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How Do I Enroll In A Medicare Supplement Plan
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are one health insurance option for people with Original Medicare. There are standardized Medicare supplement insurance plans available that are designed to fill the gaps left by Original Medicare . These are sold by private insurance companies as individual insurance policies and are regulated by the Department of Insurance. After age 65 and for the first six months of eligibility for Medicare Part B, beneficiaries have an Open Enrollment Period and are guaranteed the ability to buy any of these plans from any company that sells them. Companies cannot deny coverage or charge more for current or past health problems. If you fail to apply for a Medicare supplement within your Open Enrollment Period, you may lose the right to purchase a Medicare supplement policy without regard to your health. Information about the Medicare supplement plans sold in North Carolina is available from SHIIP by calling us toll-free at 1-855-408-1212.
Use our free tool to find estimated premium rates.
How To Apply For Medicare Part A And Part B Before Age 65
Some people are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare. If youve been receiving disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months in a row, you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, when you reach the 25th month.
If you have ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease, youre automatically enrolled in Medicare the month you begin receiving your Social Security disability benefits.
Some people will need to sign up for Medicare themselves. If you have end-stage renal disease , and you would like to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, you will need to sign up by visiting your local Social Security Office or calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 . If you worked for a railroad, please contact the RRB to enroll by calling 1-877-772-5772 , Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3:30 PM, to speak to an RRB representative.
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Im Turning 65 What Do I Need To Do For Medicare Enrollment
Summary:
At 65 you may be looking forward to different things: having grandchildren perhaps, possibly retiring from your career, or taking a trip that youâve dreamed of your whole life. Sixty-five may also be a significant year for you as it may be the first year that youâre eligible for Medicare coverage options. Medicare coverage is the government health insurance program that provides hospital and medical insurance to people 65 and older and some under 65 who qualify because of a disability. Medicare Part A and Part B are called Original Medicare.
How Does Medicare Work With My Job
Keep in mind that:
- Most people qualify to get Part A without paying a monthly premium. If you qualify, you can sign up for Part A coverage starting 3 months before you turn 65 and any time after you turn 65 Part A coverage starts up to 6 months back from when you sign up or apply to get benefits from Social Security .
- If you have a Health Savings Account, you and your employer should stop contributing to it 6 months before you sign up for Part A to avoid a tax penalty.
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How Did You Automatically Get Enrolled In Medicare
President/CEO at Healthcare Solutions Direct, LLC, a nationwide insurance agency focused primarily on the retiree health market.
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Medicare is a unique type of health insurance because you do not always have to sign up to get it. Once you turn 65, you will become eligible. If you are already collecting social security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled into what is known as Original Medicare. There is nothing you need to do.
The coverage will begin on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 unless you were born on the first of the month. If that is the case, your coverage will begin on the first day of the previous month. You will get alerted to your coverage automatically in the mail by envelope with your Medicare card enclosed. It is mailed out around three months before your 65th birthday.
For many, Original Medicare is far from complete coverage. It is up to you to decide what changes or additions to your healthcare coverage are necessary. If you are still working, it is also up to you to decide whether you would like to continue using the health insurance offered through your employer or not.
With a decade of experience in the healthcare insurance space, I have talked to thousands of Medicare-eligible individuals. In order to make the best decision on what is right for you, you will need a lot of information. This includes an understanding of what each part within Medicare actually covers.
What If Your Medicare Card Didnt Arrive
If youre expecting to receive a Medicare card but havent yet received one three months before your 65th birthday, the first thing to do is to not worry. Medicare sends out hundreds of thousands of cards per year without issue. Its possible for the card to be delayed or for there to be an error. To confirm whether a Medicare card is heading your way, check with your local Social Security office to make sure that youre enrolled.
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Switch To Supplemental Plan
The other thing you can do is switch to a Supplemental plan . If you decide to move off of an Advantage plan and switch to a Supplemental plan, you will have a seven month period . During this seven-month period, you can enroll in any Supplemental plan you want, no health questions asked. In other words, even if you have preexisting conditions, the insurance company has to take you. If you miss this seven-month window, you will have to go through medical underwriting to qualify for a Supplemental plan.
What To Know If Youre Retiring After Age 65
If youre over 65 when you retire and have had health insurance through your employer, youll be eligible for Medicare through a Special Enrollment Period. This will begin either when you retire or when your employer-provided coverage ends, regardless of which event occurs first. The Special Enrollment period varies for different types of Medicare, however:
- For Medicare Parts A and B, youll have eight months to enroll after your coverage ends or your date of retirement
- For Medicare Part D or Part C, youll only have 63 days to enroll after your employer coverage ends
To ensure youre fully prepared when your Special Enrollment period approaches, its a good idea to begin researching your plan options at least four to five months in advance.
If youre retiring after turning 65 and did not qualify for a Special Enrollment period because you had retiree coverage or COBRA benefits instead of employer-sponsored coverage, you may have a different Special Enrollment Period.
Or, you may be considered to have missed your Initial Enrollment Period. In this case, you can still receive Medicare coverage during the General Enrollment Period, but you may be required to pay penalties for late enrollment. The General Enrollment Period allows you to sign up between January 1 and March 31, and coverage will start the month after you sign up.
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Medicare Expert Q& a: Will I Be Automatically Enrolled In Medicare When I Turn 65
- Reviewed byJohn Krahnert
“I turn 65 next year. Will I be automatically enrolled in Medicare? Is there anything I need to do?” Linda M., Springfield, MO
Thanks for writing in, Linda. Ill start answering your question by asking one of my own: Will you be collecting retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for at least four months by the time you turn 65 years old?
I ask because automatic enrollment in Medicare hinges largely on that particular criteria.
Are You Automatically Enrolled In Medicare
While most seniors will choose Medicare as their primary health insurance coverage, typically you are not automatically enrolled, and must sign up for Part A and Part B when you are eligible.
One exception is if youre already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board . If you are getting these benefits for at least four months before you turn 65, youll be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65.
If you are eligible for Medicare because you are disabled, youll be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B after you receive disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months.
In these cases, you should automatically receive the Welcome to Medicare package that gives you information you need about coverage, as well as your red, white, and blue Medicare card. You should read this package to decide:
- If you want to keep Part B coverage.
- How you want to get your Medicare coverage .
- If you want or need Part D .
- If you want to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy.
If you are close to turning 65 and are not getting Social Security or RRB benefits, you must sign up for Medicare. Even if you are eligible for premium-free Part A coverage, you still must enroll.
If you arent getting Social Security benefits, you will not automatically receive any information from Medicare. You must call Social Security at least three months before the month you turn 65 to avoid any late penalties.
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I Am Turning 65 Next Year When Can I Sign Up For Medicare
If you are eligible for Medicare, your initial enrollment period for Part A and Part B begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after it. For example, if your 65th birthday is in June, your enrollment period will extend from March 1 through September 30. If you join during one of the 3 months before you turn 65, coverage will begin the first day of the month you turn 65. If you join during the month you turn 65, your coverage will begin the first day of the month after you turn 65. If you join in the month after you turn 65, coverage will begin 2 months later, and if you join 2 or 3 months after you turn 65, coverage will begin 3 months later. A recent change in law limits these gaps in coverage. Starting in 2023, if you enroll in Medicare during the first 3 months after your turn 65, coverage will begin the first day of the month following the month you enroll.
Once you have Part A and Part B, you are then also eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and/or a Part D plan. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A and Part B. If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits and you want to enroll in Medicare, you should contact Social Security.
Under 65 And Disabled
If you are disabled and you have been receiving Social Security benefits for 24 months, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B at the beginning of your 25th month. You will receive a Welcome to Medicare packet in the mail three months before your 25th month of receiving Social Security benefits, which will include your Medicare card.
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Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. All people new to Medicare have a seven-month window to enroll in a PDP three months before, the month of and three months after their Medicare becomes effective. The month you enroll affects the PDPs effective date. All people with Medicare are eligible to enroll in a PDP however, unless you are new to Medicare or are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period, you must enroll or change plans during the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. There is a monthly premium for these plans. If you have limited income and assets/resources, assistance is available to help pay premiums, deductibles and co-payments. You may be entitled to Extra Help through the Social Security Administration. To apply for this benefit contact SHIIP at 1-855-408-1212 or the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or www.socialsecurity.gov.
How To Enroll In Medicare
Enrolling in Medicare means enrolling in Part A and Part B, known as Original Medicare. You can enroll in both, or one or the other. If you are automatically enrolled, you will be enrolled in Parts A and B, but you can opt out of Part B because you must pay monthly premiums for Part B. However, if you choose to opt out of Part B, you can only enroll during certain periods and will most likely incur a late penalty and perhaps a gap in coverage.
You must be enrolled in both Part A and Part B in order to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan , which is an alternative to Original Medicare, or Medigap, which is a supplement to Original Medicare. You must be enrolled in Part A and/or Part B to buy a drug coverage plan .
If you miss your initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Medicare during the general enrollment period which happens every year from January 1 to March 31. You may incur a higher Part A and Part B premium if you wait to enroll until this time.
You may choose to defer Medicare enrollment if you or your spouse are still working and have health insurance through an employer. If you do not sign up for Medicare when you are first eligible because you had group health plan coverage based on current employment, you may sign up during a special enrollment period . This enrollment period is eight months long and begins after employment or coverage ends, whichever comes first.
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Does Medicare Cover The Costs Of Diabetic Supplies
Yes, Medicare does cover certain supplies if you have diabetes. Part B covered supplies include blood sugar self-testing equipment and supplies, insulin pumps, and therapeutic shoes or inserts. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare prescription drug plan. These plans typically cover insulin, anti-diabetic drugs, and certain diabetes supplies such as syringes and needles. The Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies and Services booklet provides a comprehensive look what diabetes related services are covered.
What Are Cases When Medicare Automatically Starts
Medicare will automatically start when you turn 65 if youve received Social Security Benefits or Railroad Retirement Benefits for at least 4 months prior to your 65th birthday.
Youll automatically be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B at 65 if you get benefit checks. According to the Social Security Administration, more than 30% of seniors claim Social Security benefits early.1 For those seniors, Medicare Part A and Part B will automatically start when they reach the age of 65.
When do You Get Your Medicare Card?
You can expect to receive your Medicare card in the mail three months before your birthday. Your Medicare card will come with a complete enrollment package that includes basic information about your coverage. Your card wont be usable until you turn 65, even though youll receive the card before that time.
What Are Your Costs?
Keep in mind that youll still have to pay the usual costs of Medicare, even though youre automatically enrolled. Once your Medicare is active, the cost of your Part B premium will be deducted from your Social Security or RRB benefits.
What If You Already Enrolled in Medicare?
What about Medicare Supplement ?
What If I Switch to Medicare Advantage?
And if you want to switch to Medicare Advantage , youll have a one-time Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and lasts for 7 months.
What I Have Part A?
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