Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B
Are you turning 65 soon and interested in enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B? Would you like to know about your new health insurance options like Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, and Part D Prescription Drug Coverage? Here is the information you will need to get started.
Medicare Part A and Part B
Most likely you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and in some circumstances Part B. If you are automatically enrolled in Part B and do not want it, follow the instructions on the red, white and blue Medicare card you receive. If you signed up through Social Security or your coverage has already begun. You will need to contact them directly at 1-800-772-1213.
If you are not enrolled automatically in Part A or Part B, you are eligible to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) which starts three months before the first day of the month of your 65th birthday. It continues through your birthday month and ends another three months after that. Giving you a 7-month enrollment window.
If you do not enroll during IEP, you can only sign up during the annual General Enrollment Period (GEP). The GEP occurs each year between January 1st and March 31st. Your coverage will begin on July 1st. Late penalties will apply.
Medicare Part A Costs
You are eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) without any premiums if you or a spouse (living, deceased, or divorced) have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years during your lifetime.
If you are not eligible for free Part A, you can still purchase coverage. Your premium will be adjusted based on the amount of quarters you have worked and paid Medicare taxes. In 2016 if you worked less than 30 quarters during your lifetime your premium is $411 a month. If you worked 30-39 quarters, your premium would be $226.
If you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible you may be charged a higher premium when you do.
Medicare Part B Costs
You will have to pay a monthly premium for your Medicare Part B coverage. In 2016, the standard premium is $121.80. You may have to pay a higher premium based on your income. There is also a late penalty if you do not enroll when first eligible.
If you have questions about your Medicare eligibility, please give us a call. We are happy to help.
How to Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B
You can enroll online at www.socialsecurity.gov
You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-0778), Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM.
Or you can enroll in person at your local Social Security office.
After enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B you will have new options for health insurance coverage.
You can choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan (MA), a Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drug Coverage (MAPD), a standalone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), a Medicare Supplement Plan, or both a Medicare Supplement and a PDP.
For more information about these options, and questions about your eligibility, please contact Medigap Planners. We are the senior health insurance experts.
Choose a Medicare coverage option to fits your needs and budget.
After enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B you will have new options for health insurance coverage. For more information about these options, and questions about your eligibility, please contact Medigap Planners. We’ll find a plan that is right for you.
- Parts A and B (Original Medicare) only
- Parts A and B plus a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)
- Parts A and B plus a Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Parts A and B plus a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) plus a Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Medicare Advantage Plan without drug coverage (MA)
- Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage (MAPD)
- Medicare Advantage Plan without drug coverage (must be a Private Fee For Service (PFFS)) plus a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)
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