A healthy life is a good life. The Medicare benefits you’ve earned ensure that you can receive the care you need when you need it. And, when it comes to Medicare benefits, the most important thing to remember is to apply for them at age 65.
Three months before your 65th birthday, you should apply for Medicare benefits. At that time, you’ll be asked to select if you also want Medicare Part B which helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that hospital insurance doesn’t cover. If you don’t sign up at age 65, and you then decide to enroll later, you may pay a lifetime late enrollment penalty and you may have a gap in medical insurance coverage. There are exceptions, but play it safe, ask your Medicare or Social Security representative about your personal situation.
To make this message clear:
- The importance of enrolling in Part B when you’re first eligible is to avoid paying a penalty for as long as you have Medicare coverage
- Read up on publications about Medicare, such as the “Medicare” booklet and the “Apply Online For Medicare In Less Than 10 Minutes—Even If You Are Not Ready to Retire” leaflet, to emphasize the importance of enrolling in Medicare when you’re first eligible
- Review the frequently asked questions on Social Security’s and CMS’ websites
- To get your Statement online, open my Social Security account
Visit Medicare.gov to find out more about enrolling in Medicare. And, remember to apply online for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday!
