I'm Turning 65 In A Few Months, What Do I Need To Do To Get Medicare?
May 10th, 2022 - Naples, FL
Are you turning 65 years old in a few months, and wondering what to do to get Medicare? This blog post is for you.
Please not that if you are younger than 65 but already receive your Social Security checks, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65 and don’t need to follow these steps.
The first thing you need to do is visit the Social Security office near you, call them at 1 (800) 772-1213 or go online to apply for Medicare Part A and Part B. This is the time when you need to enroll to receive your Medicare card, like the one below.
You can apply for Medicare up to 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday. For example, if you are turning 65 in July, the earliest you can apply for Medicare is April, 1st.
It takes on average 2 to 3 weeks to receive your Medicare card in the mail, but it may take longer if the Social Security office is busy. That’s why it’s important to start the process as soon as you are eligible not to cause any delays and lapses of coverage if you are transitioning from one health insurance plan to Medicare.
Once you have your Medicare card in hand with an effective date for Part A and Part B, the second thing you need to do is decide if you want to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan or Medicare Advantage plan. Check out our other blog posts to learn more about the differences between the two. You can also schedule an appointment with us to go over your options.
Once you have made a decision and decided between Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage, the third step is is to enroll in a plan with the help of your broker.
Finally, once you are enrolled in your Medicare plan, it’s important to stay in touch with your Medicare broker and make sure to review your current plan and options every year, as your healthcare needs or prescription drug list may change.
Wether you are turning 65 soon and are new to Medicare or have had Medicare for a few years and need help exploring other plan options, our team is here to help.