How does Medicare work?
Not only is it important to know how and when to sign up for Medicare, it’s our job to help explain how Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage works.
Preparing to Sign Up for Medicare
Most people get Original Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) when they’re first eligible (usually when turning 65). Generally, there are risks to signing up later, like a gap in your coverage or having to pay a late enrollment penalty. However, it may make sense to sign up later in some cases. Working with a licensed insurance agent at Collee Insurance can help you understand these important options.
How do I sign up for Medicare?
The good news for Medicare-eligible Lee County and Medicare-eligible Collier County residents, some people get Medicare Part A and Part B automatically. When you apply for retirement or disability benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board), it also serves as your application for Medicare. Once you get approved for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll automatically get Part A coverage (without paying a premium) once you’re eligible for Medicare.
If you get benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board) at least 4 months before you turn 65, you’ll automatically get Part A coverage. You’ll also be signed up for Part B (unless you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S.). Because you pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage, you can choose whether to keep it or not, when you get approved.
If you under 65 and not planning to receive either of these benefits, you can contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare.
It’s important to remember that you can only sign up for Part B at certain times. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you turn 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
If you are not automatically signed up for Medicare, you can sign up with one of the following methods:
- By visiting Social Security’s website (this is the fastest & easiest way to sign up, you’ll need to create your secure mySocialSecurity account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.)
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778
- Contact your local Social Security Office
- If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
About two weeks after you sign up, Medicare will mail you a “Welcome Package” with your new Medicare ID card. You can click here for a sample of Medicare’s official “Welcome Package”.
When does Medicare coverage start?
Medicare coverage starts based on when you sign up and which sign-up period you’re in. Your first chance to sign up for Medicare is your Initial Enrollment Period. Your Initial Enrollment Period is generally, when you turn 65. It lasts for 7 months, 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.
If your birthday is on the first of the month, your 7-month period starts earlier. It starts 4 months before you turn 65 and ends 2 months after the month you turn 65. Generally, your Medicare coverage starts the first day of the month before you turn 65.
The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month.
If you sign up before the month you turn 65, your coverage starts the month you turn 65. If you sign up the month you turn 65, or during the 3 months after, your coverage starts on the first of the next month.
Times You Can Sign up for Medicare
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after the month you turn 65
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
Between January 1st – March 31st each year
Special Situations (SEP, or Special Enrollment Period)
After your first chance to sign up (IEP), there are certain situations when you can sign up for Original Medicare without paying a late enrollment penalty. A Special Enrollment Period is only available for a limited time. If you don’t sign up during the Special Enrollment Period, you’ll have to wait for the next General Enrollment Period, and you might have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
To learn more about special circumstances and how you may qualify, please contact a licensed sales agent at Collee Insurance by calling 239-374-2120 for more information.
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