- Medicare Parts A and B are considered Original Medicare.
- Part A pays for hospital care, and Part B pays for doctor visits and outpatient care.
Medicare doesn’t cover everything.
- Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plans) covers all the services that Parts A and B cover.
Part C may also include prescription drug coverage, as well as vision, hearing and dental coverage, and preventive services.
- Medicare Part D plans help with prescription drug costs.
- Medicare Supplement Insurance plans (Medigap) help cover some of the costs that Parts A and B don’t cover.
As you get ready to join Medicare, it helps to know a little about when you become eligible for Medicare and who handles the paperwork when you join.
If you’re turning 65, you have an opportunity to enroll in a Medicare plan. You can enroll three months before the month you turn 65, the month of your birthday and three months after. If you wait to enroll in a plan, there is a chance you’ll have fewer plan choices, and you may have to pay more.
When are you eligible?
You are eligible for Medicare if:
- You’re 65 or older, or have a qualified disability.
- You’re a U.S. citizen or legal resident for five consecutive years. Your plan choices don’t have to be permanent.
Here are some things to know about the “age 65” rule.
- Even if you’re already collecting Social Security, you must wait until you’re 65.
- You must be 65. Your spouse’s age doesn’t count.
- Even if you’re not collecting Social Security yet, you’re eligible at age 65.
If you have questions about when you will be eligible for Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov, or call your local Social Security Administration office for more information.
Who does the paperwork?
The Social Security Administration handles most of the paperwork for joining Medicare. The first letter you get in the mail about Medicare will probably come from Social Security. If you’re drawing Social Security benefits when you turn 65, Social Security will automatically enroll you in Medicare Part A and Part B.
Social Security can also help you find out if you’re eligible for extra help with the cost of Medicare coverage.
What happens to the health coverage I have now?
As you make your decisions about Medicare, keep your current health coverage in mind. This could be retiree health coverage from your former employer or your union, if you’ve retired.
If you’re still working, you may have health coverage from your current job. Or you may have purchased your own health insurance.
You’ll need to find out whether you can keep any coverage you currently have, and what your costs might be. You may have more choices available to you than the standard choices described in this guide.
Explore your options with someone who’s familiar with the details of the coverage you have now. If it’s coverage from an employer or a union, you can start with a human resources manager or a benefits specialist. Or talk to customer service at the insurance company that provides the plan. Do your research well. In some cases, if you keep your current coverage and wait until later to join Medicare, you may have fewer choices and pay more.
