When and how to sign up for Medicare

Medicare is the way Seniors (over 65) and people with disabilities can and do get medical coverage and treatment in the USA.  If you are working and have group insurance you can delay getting Medicare B ( you have to pay for) but I would get set up for Medicare part A if you plan to keep your group health insurance.

There are requirements to sign up and receive Medicare coverage.  The basics are you must have worked 10 years (paid into Medicare) and be a US citizen and or have legal status. Check with Medicare office if you have any concerns on all the requirements.

All group insurance is good but there are two different  classes.  Large group (20 +) and small group  (less than the number where large group starts).

The thing is:

Large Group  – Medicare is Secondary.

Small Group – Medicare is First or Primary.

Talk to your Health Insurance agent / broker or give us a call.

You can sign up for Medicare at age 65 (3 months prior) (your birth month) (3 months after your birth month) for a total of 7 months.

or

You can sign up when you leave your group Health insurance and are past your 65th birthday.  But note you will have a shorter window of time to sign up (63 days or 2 months).

You want to sign up in one of these windows of time to giver your self the most choices on getting Medicare and a Supplement or Advantage plan ( Medicare part C).

Links

www.Medicare.gov 

SSA – Medicare   (securing your today and tomorrow )

ssa.gov/medicare 

you can do so on line via the above links

and or

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