At the age of 65, most people become eligible for Medicare. So, by being born in 1954, you’ll be among the next group of people who can become Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare Supplement plan comparison site Medisupps.com is run by Russell Noga and they deal with thousands of people a year – helping them choose the right plans for their position. They helped create this piece of content which offers excellent advice on the matter.
We will now take a look at what you need to know once you turn 65 and how to go about signing up for the first time with Medicare.
- There is a set initial enrolment time frame in order to sign up
You should note that there is a set initial enrolment period (IEP) that starts when you turn 65 years old. This period is up to 7 months and includes the following:
– 3 months before your 65th birthday
– The exact month of your birthday
– 3 months after your birthday month
Once you turn 65, you will be automatically enrolled in both Part A and B in the event that you are getting Railroad Retirement Board benefits or social security. However, when it comes to making choices over your coverage, you’ll have IEP. In the event that you’re not getting any benefits, then you will have to sign up on your own either in person at your nearest social security office for Medicare or sign up online. Be sure to see your IEP dates.
- It is possible to delay starting Medicare Part B and paying the required premium.
As you may know, Part B is medical insurance. This Medicare Part B pays for visits to the doctor as well as outpatient care. The majority of people get hospital insurance or Medicare Part A without paying a premium and it is usually according to their spouses or partner’s work history.
It is possible to postpone of delay Part B’s premium in the event that your spouse or yourself intend to work after the age of 65 years old. This is also possible if you are already covered by the health plan of an employer. Now, it is critical that you know the rules for postponement since there is a penalty if you enrol beyond your deadline. However, this may not occur if you get a special enrolment period.
- You can decide where you’d like to get your benefits – either through the Medicare Advantage plan or through the Original Medicare
Both parts of Medicare are given via the federal government. Medicare Part C or the advantage plan is given through Medicare approved private insurance companies. They offer the same benefits that the Original Medicare plan offers as well as some extra benefits. These extras include hearing care, dental, prescription, vision etc. With that said, you will need to be in both the Medicare Part A and B to qualify and be potentially eligible for their Advantage plan.
- You can purchase extra coverage to cover the parts that Medicare doesn’t provide coverage for.
In the event that you are covered under the Original Medicare you can get added drug coverage with their prescription drug plan which is known as Part D. You can get this standalone plan via a Medicare approved private insurance company.
You can even purchase Medigap which is a supplement plan to cover costs that are not covered by the Original Medicare. Visit Medisupps.com for supplement plans.
- Medical Advantage plan caps your yearly costs.
The cost terms of each Medicare plan is set and there is even a maximum amount for annual out of pocket costs. All services which are covered by Medicare are paid after the maximum. A monthly premium may or may not be charged according to the plans. However, you’ll still need to pay for Medicare’s Part B premium. In the majority of cases, if you have the advantage plan, then you won’t need any more coverage and you won’t be able to get the Medicare supplement plan. You can learn more about the advantage and supplement plans here.
