If one is turning 65 and will be eligible for Medicare in the next few months, they’ve got a lot of decisions to make. If one is already on disability, they don’t have much choice: They’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A. But if one wants to enroll voluntarily, there’s a lot to learn about how the program works. Here’s an overview of how to sign up.
Parts of Medicare
Part A is often called “hospital insurance.” It covers inpatient care, including hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and home health care. In addition to paying for one’s healthcare, Part A also provides coverage for other services such as X-rays and lab work that may be needed during one’s stay at the hospital.
Part B covers outpatient care, such as doctor’s visits, lab tests, and other diagnostic procedures. Part B is optional, but almost everyone signs up for it because it’s less expensive than paying for these services out-of-pocket.
Part C also called Medicare Advantage, is offered by private insurance companies. This plan provides Medicare benefits similar to those provided under Parts A & B of Original Medicare (i.e., medical and prescription drug coverage). One can enroll in a Part C plan if they want the coverage offered by Original Medicare but would also like additional coverage (like coverage for vision, dental, and hearing aids).
Part D covers prescription drugs only (although some plans may cover medical devices like hearing aids). Signing up for Part D is optional unless one has a prescription drug plan through an employer or union.
How to Enroll
One can enroll online through Social Security or via mail. First-time enrollees in Parts A and B must fill out an application with Social Security. If one is already receiving Social Security benefits, then they will be automatically enrolled in Medicare when they become eligible. To receive Medicare benefits, one must pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage (which covers doctor visits and outpatient services). Most people will receive a letter from Social Security about two or three months before their 65th birthday with information about how and when to apply for their Medicare coverage.