Medicare is for 3 basic groups of people:
- People ages 65 and older
- People under age 65 with certain disabilities
- People of all ages with end-stage renal disease
Questions about Medicare?
Our free E Book gives you the information you need to avoid the top 5 mistakes senior's make when they turn 65.
Many beneficiaries who are new to Medicare get confused by its complexity. Medicare includes four major parts: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. Part A covers in-patient hospitalization while Part B covers outpatient services and other medical care provided by doctors and other health care professionals, as well as durable medical equipment. Part C is offered by private insurance companies contracted with Medicare to deliver Medicare Part A and Part B benefits to plan enrollees which may include additional benefits such as routine vision, dental, and hearing coverage. Some plans may include prescription drug coverage as well.
If you are getting Social Security when you turn 65, you will automatically be enrolled If not, you will need to sign up for Parts A and B. Contact Social Security three months before you turn 65. If you worked for a railroad, contact the Railroad Retirement Board.
Note: People on Social Security disability will automatically be enrolled in their 25th month of disability.
Most people enroll around their 65th birthday. You can enroll during the 3 months before your birth month, the month of your birth, and 3 months after that month giving you a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
Starting January 1, 2023, if you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B or if you sign up during the first three months of your IEP, your coverage will start the month you’re first eligible. If you sign up the month you turn 65, your coverage will start the first day of the following month.
If you miss your Initial Enrollment, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period (GEP) between January 1st and March 31. If you enroll at that time, your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up. Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.
