How to Enroll into Medicare
Are you thinking about enrolling in Medicare but aren’t sure what the options are and how to sign up to receive these benefits? There are several parts to Medicare and knowing where to start can be confusing. The first thing you need to do is enroll in Original Medicare which includes Medicare Part A & Medicare Part B.
How do you sign up?
If possible, you will want to sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period. This seven-month period includes the three months before turning 65, your birth month, and the three months after you turn 65. If you sign up before your 65th birthday, your coverage will begin on the first day of your birthday month.
While it is important not to miss your initial enrollment period to avoid late enrollment penalties, if you do miss it, you have options. There are special enrollment periods including when people retire after 65 as well as a general enrollment period from January 1 to March 31. If you sign up during general enrollment, coverage will begin July 1. During this time, you can also make changes to your Medicare coverage.
When signing up for Medicare, you have a few options. You can call the Social Security office, or you can visit your local Social Security office in person to fill out paperwork. Or save a trip and go online to SSA.gov. This online portal will walk you through the enrollment process. You will need to provide a combination of personal and medical history information as well as your coverage selection details.
Once you have enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A & B), you can decide on additional coverage that you may need. Original Medicare does not cover everything you may need, so there are additional insurance options that you can get. In addition to Parts A & B, there are Parts C (Medicare Advantage Plans) & D (Prescription Drug Plans) as well as Medicare Supplements, which our agents at VibrantUSA can help you compare once you have Original Medicare.
Medicare is a big milestone. It can also be overwhelming to navigate. At Vibrant USA, our Medicare Insurance Specialists understand that you may have questions during the process of research and enrollment. We are here to help with all your Medicare needs, so contact us today with any questions you might have.
