Enrolling in Medicare when laid off

on Apr 25, 2024

2. Turning 65, not receiving your Social Security check, and enrolling in Medicare:

-- Patti, your way of enrolling in Medicare is simple and quite different from Steve’s because you are turning 65 in September. Go online to www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up at least 90 days prior to turning 65 and apply online for a September 1 effective date.

3. Turning 65 and receiving your Social Security check:

-- Your “Welcome to Medicare” Kit with your Medicare card will arrive via mail 90 days prior to turning 65.

(Chapter 1 of Toni’s Medicare Survival Guide Advanced edition explains in detail how to enroll in Medicare the right way.)

Here is some helpful information regarding Medicare parts and options:

1. Original Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers in-patient hospital stays, skilled nursing/rehab stay, home health and hospice.

2. Original Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers primary care or specialist physicians, whether in the office or performing surgery, outpatient surgery, durable medical equipment, x-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, chemotherapy, etc.

3. Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage: Discuss with your healthcare facilities and medical professionals which Medicare plans they accept, such as Original/Traditional Medicare with a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plan such as HMO, PPO or PFFS). If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, research the plan’s hospital/provider online directory to be sure your physicians and hospitals are in that specific plan’s network. Verify with them that they are currently in the network.

4. Medicare Prescription Drug plan: Research the plans every year to see if your stand-alone Prescription Drug or Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription’s formulary covers all your brand name or generic prescription drugs.

5. Long-term care: Research options such as LTC policies, hybrid annuities or life insurance with LTC riders, new Short Term Care plans or specific states’ Medicaid rules for long-term care needs.

Don’t forget with Medicare, it’s what you don’t know that will HURT you!

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Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664. The “Medicare Survival Guide Advanced” edition and her new “Confused about Medicare” video series are available at www.tonisays.com.