How Do I Apply For Medicare?

To set the groundwork, let’s take a step back and discuss initiating Medicare at the age of 65. Yes, age does matter when it comes to your Medicare application! 

Medicare at 65: The Five Scenarios

If you have watched our previous video, you might recall that there are five groups of individuals who must enroll in Medicare at 65.

• Individuals covered by retiree plans
• Those on COBRA plans
• Individuals insured under an Affordable Care Act health exchange plan
• Military retirees with TRICARE
• People working with group coverage from companies having 19 or fewer employees

In these five scenarios, Medicare becomes obligatory at 65.

The Two Ways to Enroll

Once you’ve determined the necessity to enroll in Medicare at 65, the process can be broadly divided into two paths.

• Automatic Enrollment: Those already on Social Security are automatically enrolled in Medicare. Since the government is aware of the recipients of Social Security benefits, automatic enrollment in Medicare Parts A & B is triggered. About 100 days prior to your birth month, you will receive your Medicare card in the mail, entirely hassle-free.

• Self-Enrollment: If you’re not yet receiving Social Security, you’ll need to manually enroll in Medicare.

The Initial Enrollment Period

The self-enrollment window or the ‘initial enrollment period’ lasts for seven months, including:

• The three months before your 65th birthday
• Your birth month
• The three months following your birth month

The date you select to enroll will determine the commencement of your coverage. The earlier you enroll within this period, the sooner your coverage commences.

The Medicare Enrollment Process

“The first step towards a smooth Medicare enrollment is setting up a ‘my Social Security’ account.” 

It will take about 10 minutes to set up your mySSA account. Remember to keep a record of your username, password, and login credentials. Once your mySSA account is ready, you can proceed with the Medicare A & B enrollment online. This process will take you another 10 minutes.

If you choose to work with our firm, we would be delighted to assist you through this process.

For people who don’t need to start Medicare at 65, you’ll be using the special enrollment period. In this case, two government forms are necessary – the CMS L564 and CMS 40 B. The L564 form proves that you’ve had coverage since turning 65, a requirement for starting Medicare after 65. The CMS 40 B form is used to let Medicare know when you’d like to start your coverage.

In conclusion, the Medicare enrollment process may seem daunting, but with a little guidance and help, it’s a manageable task. Whether using an initial enrollment period or a special one, by understanding the respective steps and requirements, you can navigate the process successfully.