Enrolling in Medicare is a major milestone in your life. Before you get started choosing which path in the program you want to take, you need to know these 5 important facts. When you are ready to enroll in Medicare, you can call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 or visit them online at www.socialsecurity.gov. You can also go to www.medicare.gov and use the Medicare eligibility tool to find out if you are eligible and what you need to do to enroll if you are. Have questions about Medicare? Click here. If you already get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you are automatically entitled to Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) starting the first day of the month you reach age 65. You will not need to do anything to enroll. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about 3 months before your 65th birthday.Enrolling in Medicare
Railroad Retirement Board
Social Security Disability Benefits
If you are under age 65 and disabled, and have been entitled to disability benefits under Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months, you will be automatically entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B beginning the 25th month of disability benefit entitlement.
You will not need to do anything to enroll in Medicare. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about 3 months before your Medicare entitlement date.
If you're already collecting Social Security benefits, you'll get Medicare Part A and Part B automatically when you're first eligible and don't need to sign up.
Medicare will send you a "Welcome to Medicare" packet 3 months before you turn 65.
You'll still have other important deadlines and actions to take, so read all of the materials in the packet.
Medicare Enrollment Period
Generally speaking, if you have to pay for Parts A and B of Medicare and fail to sign up for them as soon as you are able, then you'll probably be penalized for it and your enrollment may be delayed.
When you first become eligible for Medicare during your initial enrollment period, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan.
There are specific times when you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or a Medicare drug plan or make changes to coverage you already have.
General enrollment period
If you have Part A coverage and you get Part B for the first time during this period, you can also join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. Your coverage may not start until July 1.
Open enrollment period
From October 15 - December 7 you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1 (as long as the plan gets your request by December 7).
How to Enroll in Medicare FAQs
Medicare is a publicly-available health insurance program run by the U.S. government.
You can sign up for Medicare online through the official Social Security website, by calling their toll-free number at 800-772-1213, or you can visit your local Social Security office. If you're already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you'll automatically be enrolled in Part A and Part B when you turn 65.
Generally, there are four ways to get Medicare coverage: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B); a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C); a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D); and/or Medicaid. Each type of plan covers different health care services and comes with different costs and rules.
Most people can sign up for Medicare during the seven-month period that starts three months before your 65th birthday, includes your birth month, and ends three months after it. Special enrollment periods are also available if you miss the initial enrollment window or have other qualifying life events.
The cost of Original Medicare depends on which parts you choose to enroll in and the type of coverage you select (e.g., Part A hospital insurance, Part B medical insurance). Generally, most people don't pay a monthly premium for Part A since it is usually covered through payroll taxes while working. You may have to pay a monthly premium for Part B, as well as any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance associated with your plan.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
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