How Do I Get Medicare Once I Turn 65?

How Do I Get Medicare Once I Turn 65?

November 14, 20243 min read

Understanding Medicare When You Turn 65

Reaching the age of 65 is an important milestone, not just in your life journey, but also in your healthcare journey. At this age, you become eligible for Medicare, a federal health insurance program designed to assist older adults with their medical expenses. Understanding how to sign up for Medicare is crucial to ensure you have the coverage you need when you need it.

Sign Up for Medicare: Answer a Few Questions

Before you dive into the enrollment process, it's essential to answer a few questions about your current situation:

  • Are you receiving benefits from Social Security?

  • Do you still work for an employer with 20 or more employees?

  • Have you paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years?

  • Are you receiving disability benefits or do you have ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease?

Steps to Enroll in Medicare

Once you turn 65, there are several steps to follow to ensure you are properly enrolled in Medicare. Let’s break these down:

Months Before You Turn 65

It’s wise to start the enrollment process early. You can enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after the month you turn 65.

Do You Need to Sign Up?

If you are already receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. If not, you need to sign up for Medicare manually.

How to Sign Up for Medicare

There are several ways to sign up for Medicare:

  • Online through the Social Security website

  • By calling the Social Security office

  • Visiting your local Social Security office in person

Understanding Medicare Parts A and B

Medicare consists of different parts, each covering specific services:

  • Medicare Part A: Covers hospital insurance, including inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.

  • Medicare Part B: Covers medical insurance, including certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

Special Circumstances: Still Working or Receiving Disability Benefits

Depending on your situation, you might have different options or requirements:

If You Are Still Working

If you are still working and covered by an employer's health insurance plan with 20 or more employees, you might not need to sign up for Part B immediately. You can use a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B later without a penalty.

If You Receive Disability Benefits or Have ALS

Individuals receiving disability benefits for 24 months or those with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) are automatically enrolled in Medicare.

When Does Medicare Coverage Start?

Your Medicare coverage will start based on when you enroll:

  • If you sign up during the three months before you turn 65, your coverage will start the month you turn 65.

  • If you sign up during the month you turn 65, your coverage will start the following month.

  • If you sign up during the three months after you turn 65, your coverage will start one to three months after you enroll.

Potential Penalties for Late Enrollment

It's important to know that if you wait to sign up for Medicare Part B, you might have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty. This penalty is added to your Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare, so it's crucial to enroll on time.

How Medicare Works with Other Health Insurance

Medicare can work alongside other health insurance plans you might have, such as employer coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. Understanding how these plans interact can help you maximize your benefits and minimize out-of-pocket costs.

We're Here to Help

Still have questions? At Bourgeois Insurance Agency, LLC in Thibodaux, Louisiana, we are here to help you understand your Medicare options and guide you through the enrollment process. Don't hesitate to reach out to us at (985) 803-8999 for personalized assistance and ensure you get the coverage you need.

Price Started in the insurance industry over 20 years ago. Working for several well known large corporations over the years but found he could serve his clients and community better as an Independent Agency offering Medicare Supplements (Medigap), Medicare Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), and Retirement Planning Services.

Price has spent years building one of the top agencies in the Thibodaux, Louisiana. Dedicated to finding the best solutions and staying up to date on insurance trends and products.

Price Bourgeois

Price Started in the insurance industry over 20 years ago. Working for several well known large corporations over the years but found he could serve his clients and community better as an Independent Agency offering Medicare Supplements (Medigap), Medicare Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), and Retirement Planning Services. Price has spent years building one of the top agencies in the Thibodaux, Louisiana. Dedicated to finding the best solutions and staying up to date on insurance trends and products.

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