Things You Need to Know About Aging-In to Medicare

Fri, Jul 30, 2021 4:16 PM Medicare health insurance

Things You Need to Know About Aging In to Medicare. Turning 65 in the next few months? you'll be in good company: 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the United States. For the most part, this also means you're eligible for Medicare for the first time and have a lot of questions. There's a lot to learn as you get ready for Medicare. So, to help you enroll in Medicare for the first time, we've broken down the steps and provided all of the information you'll need.

 

Do I Qualify for Medicare?

 

A popular query is, "Am I eligible for Medicare?" Medicare is generally provided to persons 65 and over, as well as younger people with impairments and those with end-stage renal illness. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) are the two parts of Medicare. If you are 65 or older and have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you are eligible for premium-free Part A.

You can also acquire Medicare Part A without having to pay premiums if you're 65 years old.

• If you are getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board

• If you are eligible for social security or railroad retirement benefits but have not yet applied; or

• You or your spouse worked for the government and were covered by Medicare.

 

You may be able to purchase Part A if you or your spouse did not pay Medicare taxes while working and are 65 or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

While the majority of people do not have to pay a premium for Part A, everyone who wants it must pay for Part B. This monthly fee is collected from your social security, railroad retirement, or civil service retirement checks. If you do not receive any of these payments, Medicare will send you a bill every three months for your Part B premium.

 

Do I Have to Be Retired to Qualify for Medicare?

 

Medicare does not require you to be retired. Although the complete retirement age for full social security benefits, known as "full retirement age," is slowly rising to 67, you can still earn full Medicare coverage at age 65, even if you aren't collecting social security benefits.

If you're still working and don't receive social security or railroad retirement benefits, you can sign up for Medicare by going to Medicare.gov or calling your local Social Security office.

You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) if you are retired and have signed up for social security or railroad retirement benefits, and you can choose to enroll in Medicare Part B.

 

Take into account Medicare Advantage Plans

 

Original Medicare Parts A and B cover all of the major expenses, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, and some preventative services. However, there are a few coverage holes in Original Medicare. When they reach the age of 65, many people choose to participate in a Medicare Advantage Plan. These plans contain all of the same benefits as Original Medicare, plus a few extras, such as

• Allowances for over-the-counter items

• assistance for getting to and from appointments

• Fitness programs are available

• Insurance coverage for prescription drugs

• Coverage for dental, vision, and hearing

 

Medicare Advantage plans have a yearly out-of-pocket limit and provide more comprehensive coverage for added peace of mind.

 

Make a decision on Medicare Part B

 

You must choose whether or not to participate in Medicare Part B when you apply for Medicare. Medical services, outpatient care, and other routine services are included.

When they initially become eligible, most people should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Some people, however, prefer to postpone enrolling in Medicare Part B and paying a premium because of their existing circumstances, such as:

• I am a retired service member with Tricare.

• I have Tricare and am a serving member of the military.

• I am eligible for veterans' benefits.

• I'm suffering from end-stage renal illness.

• I'm now employed and have health insurance through my employer.

• I have health insurance through my husband, who is currently employed.

• My old company or my spouse's prior employer provides retiree coverage.

 

You'll have to pay a late-enrollment penalty if you don't fall into one of the scenarios above and don't sign up for Medicare Part B when you're first eligible. You'll have to pay the penalty for as long as you have Part B, and your coverage may be interrupted.

 

 

Also Read: Are Veterans Required to Enroll in Medicare?

 

If you're covered by job-based health insurance when you first become eligible for Medicare and don't sign up for Part B, you'll be eligible for an 8-month Special Enrollment Period that begins the month your employment expires or the month after your employer coverage stops, whichever comes first. This enables you to enroll in Medicare Part B without incurring a late enrollment fee. Learn more: Medicare Enrollment Periods you Need to Know

Yes, Medicare might be complicated, but Medicare Services offers professionals who can help you and answer all of your questions. To learn more about aging-in to Medicare, give us a call at (844) 731-6614.

 

What to Think About When Choosing a Medicare Plan

You'll need to choose a Medicare plan once you've signed up for Medicare Parts A and B. Here are some pointers on how to pick the right plan for your needs:

Questions to yourself:

• How much can I afford to spend for my healthcare and medications out of pocket?

• How would I improve my present coverage to make it perfect?

• Who now assists me in making coverage decisions?

• What kind of healthcare plan do I have now?

• What aspects of my current coverage do I enjoy?

 

After you've answered these questions, you may start looking for the best plan for you. Here are some other things to think about while picking a Medicare plan:

 

Convenience: Are my present doctors, both primary care and specialists, in the network of the plan? Are there any hospitals in the plan's network that are close to me?

Medical history: Do I have a long-term illness? What's the total number of prescription meds I'm taking? Take the time to keep track of your medical history in a file. You can get your medical records and discuss your estimated healthcare bills with your doctor.

Advantage: How much will premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays cost? What is the maximum out-of-pocket expense?

Benefits: Is the plan comprehensive enough to cover all of my needs, such as prescription drug coverage? What about spectacles or dental care?

 

It can be difficult to choose the best plan. Many people deal with Medicare agents who are qualified to guide you through the process of selecting a plan. Clover can assist you in locating a Medicare representative who is licensed in your region.

 

When Will I Be Able to Sign Up for Medicare for the First Time?

 

When people turn 65, they often enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, which is known as the Initial Enrollment Period. The Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months and includes the following:

• the month you reach the age of 65

• the three months following your 65th birthday

• the three months preceding the month in which you turn 65

 

You can enroll by contacting the Retirement Benefits Board or Social Security.

 

What You'll Need to Sign Up for Medicare

 

When you're getting ready to retire, you'll need a few documents to enroll in Medicare. These are the documents that are required.

• a copy of your birth certificate or other forms of identification proving your age

• evidence of citizenship or residency in the United States

• a copy of your most recent W-2 or tax filings for self-employment

• a copy of your social security card or a record of your social security number

 

You can submit your documents online if you're applying online for medicare. You can mail or drop off your paperwork to your local Social Security office if you apply over the phone.

 

Get More Information About Medicare

 

Medicare may appear to be complicated, but it does not have to be. We can assist you in learning everything you need to know about Medicare and enrolling in a good plan. It's never too early to learn about Medicare and all the alternatives available to you. To learn more about aging-in to Medicare.

 

 

 

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