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Important information you need to know before enrolling in Medicare.
If you are approaching age 65, you probably have questions about Medicare. Let us help. Who's Eligible? Most people age 65 and older who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) without paying a monthly plan premium. You're eligible for free Medicare Part A if you are 65 and: - You receive or will be eligible for Social Security benefits.
- You receive or will be eligible for railroad retirement benefits.
- You or your spouse (living, deceased, or divorced) had employment where Medicare taxes were paid for 40 or more quarters.
If you do not fit into any of these groups, you can still get Medicare Part A by paying a monthly plan premium if you are a U.S. citizen or have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. and lived here for at least five years. You are eligible for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) if you are eligible for Part A. Part B is optional and you will need to pay a premium based on your income. Initial Enrollment Period Your Initial Enrollment Period starts when you first become eligible for Medicare. The Initial Enrollment Period is a total of seven months, which includes the three months before your 65th birth month, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months following. For example, if your birthday is 04/04/1944, your initial enrollment period would be 01/01/2009 - 07/31/2009. If you enroll when you first become eligible, your Medicare coverage will begin the first day of your birth month. If your birth date falls on the first of the month, then your benefits begin on the first of the month before your birth month. For example, if your birthday is March 1, your coverage will start February 1. That's only if you enroll during the three months before your birth month. If you enroll within your Initial Enrollment Period but wait to do so until your birth month or the three following months, you may have to wait a month or more for your Medicare coverage to begin. General Enrollment Period If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, your next opportunity to sign up is during the General Enrollment Period, which is the first three months of every year (January 1 through March 31). Enrollments that occur during this period are not effective until
July 1.
Please note: if you enroll during the General Enrollment Period, a late enrollment penalty for your Medicare Part B medical coverage will apply. The penalty is 10% of the monthly Part B premium amount, and increases by 10% increments for every year you should have had Medicare Part B, but did not. This higher premium is applied as long as you keep Medicare Part B. How to Enroll Enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B is automatic if you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits prior to your 65th birthday. You can expect to receive your Medicare Card about 3 months prior to your birth month. In situations where automatic enrollment does not occur, it will be necessary to manually enroll. To enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), visit your local Social Security office or call toll-free (800) 772-1213, 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday (TTY 800-325-0778). You will be asked to provide proof of your age, such as a birth certificate. Annual Enrollment Period: November 15 - December 31
Coverage takes effect: January 1 of the following year FBM MED 003 102009
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