So you’re new to Medicare and don’t really know what to do. Things are very different from individual or group insurance, so we’ve made a list of what you need to do once you are eligible.

Fill Out the Initial Enrollment Questionnaire (IEQ)

Medicare will mail this to you. You should have the following readily available to make the process easier:

  • Both your spouse’s and your insurance card, for insurance company and prescription drug information
  • Both your spouse’s and your social security number and address
  • Both your spouse’s and your employer’s name and address (if you receive group health plan coverage through your employer)
  • The associated insurance carrier information, employer name and attorney information, if you are receiving benefits or treatment for Black lung, Worker’s Comp, injury or illness by fault or no fault

Once you have filled out the IEQ it cannot be modified, however if you need help with a mistake call the number above.

Go to our Medicare Overview page for help signing up with Medicare.

Sign up for Both Medicare Part A & B

Many people will automatically be signed up for Medicare Part A, but every senior needs to sign up for Part B. Medicare Part A is hospital insurance, while Part B covers your day to day needs: doctor’s visits, second opinions before surgery, mental health. This combination offers seniors the basic coverage available. What many seniors who are new to Medicare don’t realize is Medicare leaves a lot of gaps in coverage. This just means that if a senior has a medical emergency they will find themselves not as financially covered as they thought. That’s where Medicare Supplemental steps in.

Medicare Supplemental Kicks in Where Medicare Leaves Off

Medicare Supplemental, AKA Medigap, fills in the financial gaps of Medicare. Medigap helps cover out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, as well as covering items that Original Medicare doesn’t cover like: foreign travel health exchange, blood transfusions, and has out of pocket limits. Click here to learn about how Medigap fills in Medicare gaps.

Get Separate Prescription Coverage

Seniors are surprised to find out that prescription coverage is separate from Original Medicare, and even if they have a supplemental plan it is not covered. Prescription coverage is known as Medicare Part D. It has a separate premium, and is purchased separately from Medicare. As you have probably noticed prescriptions are pricey, and without Part D you will have to pay full price (without a negotiated rate). Make sure before you pick a plan that your current prescriptions are covered through the providers formulary.

Next Steps
For any further questions about Medicare contact Senior65.com or to if click here to get a Medigap quote.