Welcome to Medicare
If you are turning 65 in the near future you will become Medicare eligible. Medicare is the Federal Government Health Care Program for people 65 and older, people with certain disabilities and those with permanent kidney failure. With Medicare in my near future, I know that this can be a stressful and confusing time, but it is important to get this phase of your life in good order.
If you are Medicare eligible and continue to work and covered by a group health plan, it is generally advised that you continue with your current group health plan. If you contribute to the cost of this health plan or self employed, it may be of value to compare your current health plan and premium cost with Medicare costs. If you choose to remain in a group health plan and collect Social Security, it is recommend that you delay your enrollment in Medicare - Part B; this will save Part B premium costs and reduces the billing conflict between your current health insurer (primary) and Medicare (secondary). You can delay the Part B benefit by returning the Medicare Card.
If you are receiving Social Security, Medicare will send you a Medicare Card in the mail - 3 months prior to the 1st day of the month you turn 65. If you plan to start your Social Security benefit at 65, at the time you enroll in Social Security you can enroll in Medicare. If you chose to delay your Social Security benefit, but want to start your Medicare benefits you will need to contact Social Security at your local office or call 1-800-772-1213 - 3 months prior to the 1st day of the month you turn 65. You will need to make arrangements to pay for your Part B Medicare premiums. The biggest problem I come across are clients who procrastinated about making Social Security and Medicare arrangements; my advice - don’t delay! You cannot enroll in Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage without the agent seeing a Medicare Card with both Part A and B.
f you delayed your Part B of Medicare because you were covered by a group health plan and now want to start your full Medicare benefits, you will need to contact Social Security - 3 months prior to the 1st day of the month you want to re-instate your Medicare benefits. You will need to document that you were covered by a qualified medical program during the time period that you delayed your Medicare.
