Usually 3-6 months prior to your 65th birthday. Does it cost anything for Part A Medicare? Usually not. Most people who have paid taxes into Medicare and Social Security will qualify for “free” Medicare Part A. You have work what is called 40 “credits” or “quarters” to qualify. If you are a housewife and did not work, you may be able to use your spouse’s “credits’ to qualify.
Usually $135.50. If your income is above $85,000 it will cost you more.
There are Part D plans at the time of this writing that cost as little as $15.00 monthly. However, there is a $415.00 deductible attached to it. The average cost is around $40.00 with or without a deductible.
This usually refers to Medicare Advantage
Yes, you don’t want to incur a penalty for not signing up. If you do not receive an application within 3 months of your 65th birthday, please contact your local Social Security office, Medicare or go online to enroll.
At the time of this writing, it is $185.00 annually.
There is a big difference. Medicare Supplements have always been the best coverage you can get. If you cannot afford a Medicare Supplement then a Medicare Advantage would be the next best thing. There are problems with an Advantage policy such as: not being able to see your own doctor and high out of pocket expenses just to name a few. Some Advantage companies advertise a zero premium cost for their policies. There is no such thing. There is nothing that is “free” about them.
No, they are the same thing.
Usually between October 15th and December 7th of every year.
Yes, you may qualify for a reduced premium.
Most likely you will be covered as long as the doctor accepts Medicare and a majority of them accept Medicare.
To put it simply and the most easiest to understand, open enrollment refers to your 1st 6 months after your 65th birthday that you DO NOT have to answer any health questions to qualify for a Medicare Supplement. If you go past your open enrollment period and have major health problems and want a Medigap policy you may not qualify. You can also enroll in a Part D medicine plan.
Yes you do for Part A. If you don’t then you will incur a penalties. You do not have to enroll in Part B at this time if you have employer benefits for health coverage.
My take on it is that Medicare needs to save money. If they can cut costs, Medicare may continue to be available longer.
With a Medicare Supplement most likely you can. A good majority of doctors accept Medicare and Supplements. If you have a Medicare Advantage policy you have to go to the insurance carrier’s networks. Kind of like an HMO.
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