Turning 65 and New to Medicare

Taking your first steps into the world of Medicare is exciting but can also be daunting. Seeking help to understand your options and make a well-informed choice will help make sure your coverage not only meets your health needs but supports your quality of life. That is what we are here for!

When can I enroll in Medicare?

You have a 7-month window referred to as Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B, Medicare Advantage, or a prescription drug plan. This window consists of the three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months after your 65th birthday.

Are there any consequences if I sign-up outside of my Initial Enrollment Period?

There may be some consequences to enrolling outside of your initial enrollment period and are not covered by an employer-sponsored insurance plan. This could include:

Having to enroll later, during the Annual Enrollment Period.
A permanent Part A, B and D premium penalty.

I plan to continue working past my 65th birthday. Should I enroll in Medicare, or keep my employer insurance?

If you're employed and plan to continue working after your 65th birthday, we can connect you with a broker to help you review your current plan and how it differs from or works with Medicare. This will help you decide whether it is best to keep your current health plan or switch to a Medicare plan.

What does Medicare cover?

Medicare Part A is Hospital Coverage and is free for all Americans who have paid Medicare taxes for 10 years or 40 quarters, either themselves or through their spouse. Medicare Part B is for Non-hospital Medical Expenses and requires regular premium payment of some kind. But there’s much more to understand including Medicare Part D (out-of-hospital Prescription Drug Coverage); Medicare Part C (or Medicare Advantage plans); and Medigap policies that can pick up part or all the expenses not met by Medicare. If you’d like to read more detail about Medicare and its many options, you can review this guide (link to Medicare Guide).

Give us a call or send us an email today to get your free, no-obligation Medicare plan review with a licensed insurance agent in your area. We’re here to help.

A member of our team will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your Medicare needs and learn more about your situation.

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

(800) 709-5513

By entering your name and information above and clicking the Submit button, you are consenting to receive calls or emails regarding your Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and Prescription Drug Plan options (at any phone number or email address you provide) from an Advocate Health Advisors representative or one of our licensed insurance agents, and you agree such calls may use an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver messages even if you are on a government do-not-call registry. This agreement is not a condition of enrollment.