Do I Have to Enroll in Medicare, and how do I do it?

Do I Have to Enroll in Medicare, and how do I do it?

Are you turning 65? 

Are you receiving piles of literature on Medicare enrollment? 

Is your phone ringing off the hook with automated callers and scammers?  

                                                             

Agents that are calling you and mailing you are from all over the country are often new to the business and inexperienced.  It is typical that Medicare Insurance is not even their main business and just something they are selling on the side.  

This is why it is so important to work with a local health insurance agency that specializes in Medicare like Health Benefit Options.

Before we continue, do yourself a favor and add your phone number to the do not call list at 1-888-382-1222.  Don’t let those robo calls harass you anymore. 

Step 1: Finding the right agent

Choosing a Licensed Health Insurance agent is the best way to enroll in Medicare.  At Health Benefit Options we are licensed with the state of Pennsylvania and we help seniors everyday through the year with their Medicare questions, enrollments, and issues.  We can help you navigate through the Medicare Rules and Regulations regarding your individual situation whether you are still working or planning your retirement.  Medicare can be intimidating but with the right person helping you, it can be easy.  It is important that you are comfortable with discussing your medical needs to be sure that these are covered with your new insurance.  

I’ve met many people who said “I signed up for Medicare with an agent over the phone a few years ago and I have yet to hear from my agent since”.  Many of these call center agencies are a revolving door, meaning that their clients are placed with new agents everytime they call.  Medicare plans are different for everyone, having a new agent every time you call can be extremely problematic. 

You need an agency that will be there for you day in and day out, year after year, when you have questions and problems.  This is why using a local insurance agency like us is important.  When you have issues we will be here right on Main Street.  You might be asking yourself, “why do I need an independent agent?”.  The main reason is we can help you shop multiple carriers and several plans at one time.  Best of all, the carriers pay us to help you so there is never a charge to you. 

The most common questions people turning 65 ask are below: 

• Who can help me enroll?   Call us, we can help

• Am I required to enroll?     This is dependant on your situation

• How do I enroll?                     Goto Step 2 below

• When do I enroll?                  Goto Step 3 below

Step 2:  Do I have to enroll into Medicare, and how do I do it? 

Everyone should register for Medicare whether you are going to continue to work or not. Enrollment should be done 3 months before your birthday and there are three ways to do it. 

• The first and simplest way is to visit our website, select the “Enrollment Resource” tab.  There, you will find a step by step guide to enroll or click this link HERE now.

• The second option is to make a phone call to the Social Security Administration.  However, this can be cumbersome with long wait times. 

• The third way is the old-fashioned way of visiting your local Social Security Office.

The next question is “Do I need to activate my part B medical and enroll into Medicare?”.   This is an area where working with a professional is important.  If you are on an ACA plan you still should sign up for part B. However beware, if you like, you can keep your Marketplace plan too. But once your Medicare Part A coverage starts, you'll no longer be eligible for any premium tax credits or other cost savings you may be getting for your Marketplace plan. So you'd have to pay full price for the Marketplace plan, and that could be very costly. If you are still working it depends on company size, how many employees are participating in the health plan they offer and your benefit coverage, as to whether you are able to defer Medicare.  If you defer and you should have applied, you may pay penalties for the remainder of your life expectancy. 

Your first consultation at Health Benefit Options will give you a broad overview of Medicare.  This will educate you on the basics of Medicare so that you can decide your next steps.  We will teach you how to sign up for Medicare and finally go over some different options. 

Our second consultation will be when we collectively make a final decision on what plan suits you.  We treat our clients the way we would like to be treated in this same situation.  We will never pressure you  here at Health Benefit Options.  Our philosophy is to have a long-standing relationship with our clients, and support them in any way we can every step of the way.

Step 3: When do I enroll into Medicare? 

If you are new to Medicare, turning 65 and are already collecting social security benefits, you don’t need to do anything.  Your Medicare card will come automatically in the mail.  You can expect it to arrive 3 months before your birthday.  If you don’t receive it 3 months prior, it is important you contact the social security department to find out why you did not receive it. 

If you are turning 65 and are not collecting social security benefits you will need to apply here.

If you are over 65 and you are coming off your group coverage there are steps to be taken and forms to fill out.  It is best to contact a professional like Health Benefit Options to help you.  We suggest calling us 3 months before your birthday to schedule an appointment.  Our phone number is 724-705-0068. 

I realize there is a lot to absorb when entering Medicare, but with the right help from a professional, you will end up in the perfect plan for your needs.

Written by: Mike Lauro - Owner of Health Benefit Options