Most people know that you get Medicare at 65, but when do you sign up? It’s a great question, and we have an answer.
When Should You Sign Up for Medicare?
Most people will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare: Medicare Part A and B. However, if you need to sign up you have a seven month window: 3 months before your 65th birth month, the month of your birthday, and the three months after.
Does it Matter Which Month You Sign Up for Medicare?
It can. When you sign up determines when your coverage begins, as well as there are Medicare late penalties
Go to our Medicare Page to sign up today.
You May Want to Disenroll From Part B
You may want to disenroll from Medicare Part B if you have a qualifying job-based insurance. The reason you’d want to wait once you are enrolled in Part B your 6 month guaranteed issuance period for Medigap begins. This matters because most job-based insurances fill in the gaps like Medigap, so you wouldn’t need both -but if you were stay enrolled in Part B you would more than likely lose out in enrolling in a Medigap plan once you quit working.
What Should You Sign Up for When Enrolling in Medicare?
There are a few options you have once you are eligible for Medicare. The first four have the same initial enrollment (7 month period), Medigap has a 6 month enrollment starting with your 65th birthday’s birth month:
- Medicare Part A: Hospitalization coverage
- Medicare Part B: Medical coverage (doctor visits, lab work, etc)
- Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare
- Medicare Part D: Prescription Coverage if you don’t have other qualifying coverage
- Medicare Supplement Plan: Medigap fills in Medicare gaps.
To learn more about when to sign up for Medicare call the number above or contact Senior65.com for assistance.