The following various forms are provided as a courtesy on this website and can also be found at Medicare.gov. Make sure to bookmark this page and share it with your friends and family to help you and others understand and manage Medicare.
As you draw near to your 65th birthday, you will need to make important decisions and you’ll need to act on those decisions within strict time-periods to avoid making mistakes with your Medicare benefits that could be costly. While we urge you to talk to one of our Medicare Professionals who help people with this important milestone, the following steps are provided for educational purposes and will help to ensure your Medicare journey is a smooth one and protects your financial future.
Step 1 – Review and estimate your healthcare costs. While Original Medicare may not cover all your healthcare costs, don’t worry! We have options to help you get more coverage with your Medicare. The first step when transitioning to Medicare is to take a moment to review your healthcare needs and expenses, like routine check-ups, specialists you see, prescription drug costs, and any procedures you anticipate. This will give you a clearer picture of what Medicare solution is best suited to cover your needs, for the best price.
Step 2 – Review your plan’s providers. When switching to Medicare, it’s important to check if your current healthcare providers accept Medicare! While most do, there are a few doctors who choose to opt out of Medicare, meaning they don’t have to follow Medicare rules. You could wind up paying out-of-pocket for extra charges, etc. for services Medicare doesn’t allow.
Step 3 – Get acquainted with Medicare. Before you choose a plan, take a little time to get to know all the different parts of Medicare! Picking the right coverage is important to prevent paying too much out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Plus, remember that if you don’t enroll during your initial enrollment period or miss the annual enrollment window, you might face some fines and penalties. We invite you to check out our helpful section below on Medicare, where you’ll find helpful, easy-to-understand descriptions of all the parts of Medicare along with short videos to give you a great overview of the program.
Step 4 – Give us a call. Why go it alone when you can have an experienced Medicare insurance professional guide you through the transition to Medicare at no additional cost. We handle the hard work of adding up all your costs (like copays, premiums, expected healthcare costs, etc.) so you can compare plans and make the best choice for finances and healthcare needs. Plus, we’re always here to help each year as plans can change and your needs might too. Our assistance is completely free and with no strings attached! Just give us a call at 570-221-6868 or CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US ONLINE.
Step 5 – Enroll in Medicare. For most people, Medicare is not automatic. You need to enroll in original Medicare (Parts A & B) before you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan. To enroll, you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility. Some acceptable documents are birth certificate, proof citizenship if not born in the US, W-2 or tax forms, and or military records. For more on the eligibility time period, CLICK HERE.
You can apply online or call your local Social Security office. You’ll enroll, create your Medicare account, track your Medicare information such as bills, claims, health information and more, as well as print your Medicare card. CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE AT SOCIAL SECURITY
Step 1 – Review and estimate your healthcare costs. While Original Medicare may not cover all your healthcare costs, don’t worry! We have options to help you get more coverage with your Medicare. The first step when transitioning to Medicare is to take a moment to review your healthcare needs and expenses, like routine check-ups, specialists you see, prescription drug costs, and any procedures you anticipate. This will give you a clearer picture of what Medicare solution is best suited to cover your needs, for the best price.
Step 2 – Review your plan’s providers. When switching to Medicare, it’s important to check if your current healthcare providers accept Medicare! While most do, there are a few doctors who choose to opt out of Medicare, meaning they don’t have to follow Medicare rules. You could wind up paying out-of-pocket for extra charges, etc. for services Medicare doesn’t allow.
Step 3 – Get acquainted with Medicare. Before you choose a plan, take a little time to get to know all the different parts of Medicare! Picking the right coverage is important to prevent paying too much out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Plus, remember that if you don’t enroll during your initial enrollment period or miss the annual enrollment window, you might face some fines and penalties. We invite you to check out our helpful section below on Medicare, where you’ll find helpful, easy-to-understand descriptions of all the parts of Medicare along with short videos to give you a great overview of the program.
Step 4 – Give us a call. Why go it alone when you can have an experienced Medicare insurance professional guide you through the transition to Medicare at no additional cost. We handle the hard work of adding up all your costs (like copays, premiums, expected healthcare costs, etc.) so you can compare plans and make the best choice for finances and healthcare needs. Plus, we’re always here to help each year as plans can change and your needs might too. Our assistance is completely free and with no strings attached! Just give us a call at 570-221-6868 or CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US ONLINE.
Step 5 – Enroll in Medicare. For most people, Medicare is not automatic. You need to enroll in original Medicare (Parts A & B) before you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan. To enroll, you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility. Some acceptable documents are birth certificate, proof citizenship if not born in the US, W-2 or tax forms, and or military records. For more on the eligibility time period, CLICK HERE.
You can apply online or call your local Social Security office. You’ll enroll, create your Medicare account, track your Medicare information such as bills, claims, health information and more, as well as print your Medicare card. CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE AT SOCIAL SECURITY
The initial enrollment period for those aging into Medicare is 7 months, which starts 3 months before your 65th birthday, and includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after your 65th birthday.
You can apply online or call your local Social Security office. You’ll enroll, create your Medicare account, track your Medicare information such as bills, claims, health information and more, as well as print your Medicare card.
No you can continue to receive employer benefits. If you are still receiving work benefits, you still have the option of enrolling in Medicare Part A during your initial enrollment age, if you decide it is wise for your specific healthcare needs. Remember, for most people the Part A premium is free. Also, keep in mind that Medicare is not automatic (as discussed above) so you will need to enroll yourself when your enrollment period begins. It’s important to note that you can only delay enrolling in Part B and Part D without incurring late enrollment penalties if you have creditable coverage from your employer, or your spouses employer. Creditable coverage requires that If the employer group has 20 eligible employees or more, then you may be able stay on that plan. There are many things to consider and you should talk to a professional to make sure you are making the right moves.
No, Medicare is an individual plan. Medicare does not have spousal or dependent coverage. If your spouse has reached age eligibility (65), then they can enroll in Medicare of their own accord 90 days in advance of the month they turn 65.
Medicare annual open enrollment is October 15th through December 7th every year.
Once your Initial Enrollment Period is over, if you wish to change or purchase Advantage or Part D Plans, you must act during the open enrollment period.
When open enrollment is closed, there are special circumstances in which one may qualify to enroll outside of the enrollment period. Listed below are the qualifying events:
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As independent brokers, our insurance guidance is provided at no cost and you will never pay a higher premium by utilizing our services.
As independent brokers, our insurance guidance is provided at no cost and you will never pay a higher premium by utilizing our services.
