Are you turning 65 this year? You have many exciting days ahead as you approach retirement. It is important that you sign up for medicare part A and part B so that you have the health coverage available to you. There is an initial enrollment period when you are eligible to apply for benefits. If you fail to enroll during this period you may have to pay a penalty when you do complete your initial enrollment.
You can enroll in medicare online which is the easiest way to complete the process. Most people that are eligible for benefits are automatically enrolled in medicare part A. In most cases this benefit is provided at no cost although there are exceptions. If you have been automatically enrolled in medicare part A you should receive your medicare card in the mail 3 months prior to your 65th birthday.
You must enroll in medicare part B on your own. This can be done online and I will provide a link below that you can apply. For most people the premium for 2017 for medicare part B is $134/month. This can go up if you earn more than $85000/year as an individual or $170,000 per year as a couple.
To enroll in medicare copy and paste the link below into your browser. This will take you directly to the social security benefits site where you can complete your application.
https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/rib
Once you complete enrollment you will be eligible to receive benefits. You benefits will begin depending on when you turn 65 and when you complete your application.
If you sign up for medicare part A and part B prior to your the month you turn 65 your coverage will begin the 1st of the month you turn 65. For example if you turn 65 on March 10 and you signed up in the 3 months prior to march, your coverage will begin on March 1st. The exception to this is if your birthday is on the 1st of the month for instance March 1st, and you signed up in the 3 months prior, your coverage will begin February 1st.
Depending when you sign up for medicare will change the coverage start date. See below for more information.
| If you sign up for Part A (if you have to buy it) and/or Part B in this month: | Your coverage starts: |
|---|---|
| The month you turn 65 | 1 month after you sign up |
| 1 month after you turn 65 | 2 months after you sign up |
| 2 months after you turn 65 | 3 months after you sign up |
| 3 months after you turn 65 | 3 months after you sign up |
| During the January 1–March 31 General Enrollment Period | July 1 |
This information is from www.medicare.gov
No comments:
Post a Comment