3 Important Things to Know About Your Enrollment Into Medicare
When you reach the age where you can enroll in Medicare, it is essential to spend the time finding the best possible plan for your needs. Getting the best possible plan for your needs the first time around will make your future enrollment periods go smoother, as you will need to adjust the plan to fit your needs.
1. See if You Are Automatically Enrolled
If you want to partake in the traditional Medicare programs, which are called Medicare Part A and Part B. If you are already getting your Social Security benefits when your reach the age of 65, at which United States residents are eligible for Medicare, you will be automatically enrolled. If you are not getting your Social Security benefits at age 65, you are not going to be automatically enrolled in Medicaid.
If you are automatically enrolled, then you don't need to enroll in Part A and B. If you are not automatically enrolled, which applies to most individuals, you will want to enroll in Medicare actively.
2. Take Advantage of Your Initial Enrollment Period
With Medicare, everyone has an initial enrollment period (IEP), during which they are expected to enroll in Medicare. This seven month period of time is designed to give you time both before and after your birthday to enroll in Medicare
So if your birthday is on April 15th, your enrollment period would start in January and go through the end of July. This is a very long period and an important period. If you don't sign up for Medicare during this period of time, you will face a late enrollment fee that will stay with you for several years, which is why it is important to sign-up on time for Medicare coverage.
3. Be Aware of Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans
The basis of Medicare of Parts A and Part B. These traditional Medicare components cover things such as hospital and doctor's visits but don't cover things such as medication. Medicare supplement insurance plans are designed to help cover your out-of-pocket expenses associated with Medicare Part A and B plans. Private insurance companies sell these plans.
Medicare Advantage Plans allow you to access the benefits of Medicare Part A and B through a private insurance company. These plans tend to cover a little more than Medicare Part A and B plans, such as dental care, vision care, and prescription drugs.
With Medicare, it is important to know if you will be automatically enrolled or if you will need to enroll manually. You also need to know when your initial enrollment period is; missing it can have financial consequences for you. When it comes to getting coverage, you need to evaluate if a Medicare Supplement Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan would better take care of your needs. Contact Medicare Advantage enrollment services to learn more.
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