Need To Enroll In Medicare This Year? 3 Things You Need To Know
Medicare is the premier way of getting healthcare coverage in the United States once you hit retirement age. If you are just getting to retirement age, it is important to understand how the enrollment process works and the action steps you will need to take to enroll.
#1 You Will Work With the Social Security Administration
When you sign up for Medicare, you will be working directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is who you must go through to actually sign-up for your plan. Don't get tricked into thinking you need to fill out forms on some other website; the SSA website and organization is who you ultimately go through to sign up for all Medicare plans. If you have any questions, the SSA should be your ultimate contact point to verify information.
Keep in mind that the SSA is the contact point not just for you, but for everyone who is signing up and enrolled in Medicare in the United States. Don't wait to the last minute to answer questions; you may not get the answer you need.
#2 You May be Automatically Enrolled
One can enroll in Social Security once they hit 65. If you are have already started receiving your Social Security benefits, you will, by default, be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B during your birthday month the year you turn 65.
If you are not already getting your Social Security benefits, you are going to need to directly enroll in coverage. This is important to remember. You need to take direct action and sign yourself up. You don't want to delay signing up, even if you don't think you need the coverage right now. Failing to sign up and waiting additional years to sign up can cause your medical care costs to rise; Medicare benefits you if you sign up on-time and punishes you in the long-run if you don't sign up on time.
#3 You Need to Get Educated in Advance
There is a lot of information to wade through when it comes to signing up for Medicare. That is why you need to start learning about your different options in advance. Don't assume that you can get the same coverage as your brother in a different state; the insurance plans, doctors, and prescription coverage that is available to you varies greatly from one state and even from one region of a state to another. Research and learn as much as you can about the plans in your area so you can make an informed coverage decision when it is time for you to enroll in Medicare.
For more information, contact a company like Senior Advisors.