Medicare
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Feeling overwhelmed with where to start because your 65th birthday is around the corner? Breathe. We are here to help you navigate through the process and all the options before you. Congratulations on being eligible for Medicare! Now on to understanding what you need and to make sure you avoid any penalties. Part A? Part B? Part C or Part D? Plan N? Plan G? Why are so many letters used out of the alphabet? Let us help you find the most fitting plan for you.
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Medicare is health insurance for those who are 65 years of age or older. You are FIRST ELIGIBLE to sign up for Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday. You may also be eligible for Medicare if you have been on disability for 24 months or longer, if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ERSD) or ALS( Lou Gehrig's disease).
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01- MEDICARE BASICS
Where Do I Start?
Let's first review the different Parts of Medicare but we are going to make it sweet & short.
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Part A (Hospital Insurance): Helps to cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care.
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Part B (Medical Insurance): Helps to cover the following.
*Medical Equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc.)
*Preventive Services
*Home health care
*Outpatient care
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Part D (Drug coverage): This helps to cover the cost of prescription drugs.
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02- Sign me up
Where do I start?
Most individuals are automatically enrolled in Part A & Part B when they become first eligible (turning 65). You can always call social security to confirm that you are being enrolled in Part A & Part B. If your situation isn't straight forward, give us a call for clarification.
03-Medicare Advantage or Medigap(Medicare supplemental)?
Where do I start?
This is where it gets exciting! We explain in detail the differences between the two options of Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplemental Plans. We also gather what you are looking for out of your coverage and dig to figure out what is most important to you. They both offer great benefits and coverage, it's a matter of deciding what fits best for YOUR scenario, not Mary across the street or Sam who is your best friend. Your needs aren't the same as everyone else's. We do our best at providing you with the information and help assess what will work for you. Good thing to keep in mind, you can almost (not always) try something else the following year.
04-Using Your Medicare
Where Do I Start?
Make sure you never share your Medicare Number over the phone, email or in person unless you contacted them first or have requested their services specifically. This will save you a lot of headache in the future. Medicare Scams are real and active year round! That is why is important to work with MLR Insurance year after year because they are your trusted broker that you have an ongoing relationship with. Be sure to keep your card protected. You have a Medicare number that is NOT your social security number, but is still important that it is protected.
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Here are 5 Easy Steps that are highly encouraged that you take.
1. Create an account on Medicare.gov and keep your profile up to date with your prescriptions. There are many great services through this site.
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2.GIve Medicare Permission- Giving Medicare permission to speak with someone you trust. Giving a close family member, spouse or caregiver permission allows them to assist you with billings, claims filed on your account, etc. Medicare can not share that information without the authorization form filled out.
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3.Find out if you qualify for extra help with costs! Give us a call and we will do the application for you. Or click here and do it yourself. It's super easy.
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4.Be sure to go Paperless! Get your "Medicare & You Handbook" & your "Medicare Summary Notices" at your disposal.
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5.Schedule your "Welcome to Medicare" visit. This is a free preventative service during first year in Medicare.
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PRINT THE CHECKLIST HERE
The best two sources for you to use are
MEDICARE.GOV & SSA.GOV
*Disclaimer*
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide
is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.