To apply for Medicare, you can call Medicare directly, apply online using the Medicare website, or make an appointment with your local Social Security office.
Qualifying for Medicare
You may qualify for Medicare if you are an American citizen or lawful permanent resident of at least five years and you are age 65 or older or have been receiving disability benefits for at least two years.
Suppose you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In that case, you can receive Medicare benefits during the same month you begin receiving disability benefits. If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can sign up for Medicare during your fourth month of regular dialysis treatments or your first month of at-home dialysis.
Parts of Medicare
Knowing the parts of Medicare is important when you are planning to apply. Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A and Part B. Then comes Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Supplements.
Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility along with home health care, nursing home care, and hospice care. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care that is medically necessary or preventative. This includes doctor or emergency room visits along with coverage for ambulance services, durable medical equipment, clinical research, mental health care, and limited outpatient prescription drugs.
Medicare Part C is Medicare Advantage. They cover the same things as Medicare Part A and Part B and can also offer coverage for routine dental, vision, and hearing care or prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Supplement plans cover deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket expenses from Medicare Part A and Part B care.
Enrollment Periods of Medicare
You can enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which lasts for seven months around your 65th birthday. Your Medicare card will come in the mail if you happen to be automatically enrolled. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you have to wait to enroll until General Enrollment from January 1 to March 31.
Once enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you can sign up for other options. Your best opportunity to sign up for a Medicare Supplement is in the six months after you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. The time to sign up for a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan is during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7).
Find Your Medicare Plan
Signing up for Medicare can be intimidating. You have many options. Let our team at Magellan Healthcare help you navigate the enrollment process and find the right coverage that works for you.
