If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed about all the Medicare enrollment details, let us help point you in the right direction. Select your situation from the two rows below to see what steps you can be doing right now.
Still working/Not yet 65
Congratulations. You’re ahead of schedule.
You can enroll in Medicare starting three months before you turn 65. That gives you time now to look at your options.
Which best applies to you?
Here’s a timeline of some things you can do now:
Age 64
- Learn about the different types of Medicare. Here’s a quick overview.
- Make a list of your regular doctors and prescriptions and keep it handy.
- Compare different Medicare plans to see if your doctors and prescriptions are covered.
3 months before you turn 65
- Talk to your employer about which type of coverage you are choosing.
- Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by contacting the Social Security Administration. (If you plan to keep working past 65 and have insurance coverage from your employer, ask your insurance provider if you have Employer Group Health Plan coverage (as defined by the IRS). If you don’t, sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid a monthly Part B late enrollment penalty.)
- If necessary, add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth.
65 years + 3 months
- By now, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare to avoid penalties.
If you plan on working past 65, you should be able to keep your employer’s plan if you want. However, parts of Medicare could save you money, or it could make sense to completely switch to a Medicare plan. Here are some things you can do to make sure you’re making the right decision:
Age 64
- Talk to your employer about your current coverage and what your costs will be once you turn 65.
- Make a list of your regular doctors and prescriptions and keep it handy.
- Learn about the different types of Medicare. Here’s a quick overview.
- Call an ApexAssistant and let us help you determine what makes the most sense for you.
3 months before you turn 65
- Talk to your employer about which type of coverage you are choosing.
- Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by contacting the Social Security Administration. (If you plan to keep working past 65 and have insurance coverage from your employer, ask your insurance provider if you have Employer Group Health Plan coverage (as defined by the IRS). If you don’t, sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid a monthly Part B late enrollment penalty.)
- If necessary, add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth.
65 years + 3 months
- By now, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare to avoid penalties.
- Starting three months before you retire, enroll in the Medicare plan of your choice
Still working/Turning 65
You’re right on time!
First of all, happy birthday! Medicare can be a great present that saves you money. And don’t panic. You have until 3 months after your 65th birthday to enroll.
Which best applies to you?
- Ask your insurance provider if you have Employer Group Health Plan coverage (as defined by the IRS.) If you don’t, you should enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by contacting the Social Security Administration.
- If necessary, add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth.
- Compare different Medicare plans to see if your doctors and prescriptions are covered.
- By 65 years + 3 months, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare to avoid penalties.
If you plan on working past 65, you should be able to keep your employer’s plan if you want. However, parts of Medicare could save you money, or it could make sense to completely switch to a Medicare plan. Here are some things you can do to make sure you’re making the right decision:
- Talk to your employer about your current coverage and what your costs will be once you turn 65.
- Learn about the different types of Medicare. Here’s a quick overview.
- Call an ApexAssistant and let us help you determine what makes the most sense for you.
- Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by contacting the Social Security Administration. (Even if you keep working past 65 and are covered by your employer, you must enroll in Original Medicare.)
- If necessary, add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth.
- By 65 years + 3 months, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare to avoid penalties.
- Starting three months before you retire, enroll in the Medicare plan of your choice.
Still working/Past 65
Keep on keeping on until you retire!
You may still be on your employer’s health care, which is great. But there are still some things you can do now to get ready for Medicare:
- Learn about the different types of Medicare so you know your options. Here’s a quick overview.
- Call an ApexAssistant to find out if a Medicare plan makes more sense for you.
- At least three months before you retire, come back to our site to shop for Medicare plans.
Not working/Not yet 65
Way to plan ahead!
You have time to explore your options to find the right Medicare plan for your needs. Here are some things you can do:
Starting at age 64
- Learn about the different types of Medicare. Here’s a quick overview.
- Make a list of your regular doctors and prescriptions and keep it handy.
- Compare different Medicare plans to see if your doctors and prescriptions are covered.
3 months before you turn 65:
- You should enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by contacting the Social Security Administration.
- If necessary, add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth.
By 65 years + 3 months:
- You must be enrolled in Original Medicare to avoid penalties.
Not working/Turning 65
Get ready to start enjoying Medicare!
First of all, happy birthday! Medicare can be a great present that saves you money. And don’t panic. You have until 3 months after your 65th birthday to enroll. Here’s what you need to do:
Starting 3 months before you turn 65:
- You should enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by contacting the Social Security Administration.
- If you haven’t already, compare different Medicare plans to find the right fit for you.
When you turn 65:
- Happy Birthday! It’s official. You can start using your Medicare benefits. Not enrolled yet? No problem. You still have three months.
By 65 years + 3 months:
- You must be enrolled in Original Medicare to avoid penalties.
Not working/Past 65
Enroll as soon as possible.
Since you’re over 65, you qualify for Medicare and should sign up now.
- To enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), contact the Social Security Administration.
- Add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth. Compare plans now.
I’m currently on someone else’s insurance/Not Yet 65
Congratulations. You’re ahead of schedule.
You can enroll in Medicare starting three months before you turn 65. That gives you time now to look at your options.
You may or may not be able to stay on that person’s health insurance. Luckily, now is the time to find out what your options are so you can be prepared.
Age 64
- If you’re on someone else’s plan and they are going to continue working past your 65th birthday, make sure you can still stay on their plan.
- Make a list of your regular doctors and prescriptions and keep it handy.
- Learn about the different types of Medicare. Here’s a quick overview.
- Call an ApexAssistant and let us help you determine if it makes sense to stay on the other person’s insurance or if Medicare could save you money.
3 months before you turn 65
- Enroll in Original Medicare Part A by contacting the Social Security Administration. (You can delay enrolling in Part B as long as you are on the other person’s health plan.)
- If necessary, add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth.
65 years + 3 months
- You can stay on someone else’s insurance until they retire. At that point, you must enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) if you haven’t already.
I’m on someone else’s insurance/Turning 65
You’re right on time!
First of all, happy birthday! Medicare can be a great present that saves you money. And don’t panic. You have until 3 months after your 65th birthday to enroll.
- If you’re on someone else’s plan and they are going to continue working past your 65th birthday, check with their employer to make sure you can still stay on their plan.
- Learn about the different types of Medicare. Here’s a quick overview.
- Call an ApexAssistant and let us help you determine if it makes sense to stay on the other person’s insurance or if Medicare could save you money.
- Enroll in Original Medicare Part A by contacting the Social Security Administration. (You can delay enrolling in Part B as long as you are on the other person’s health plan.)
- If necessary, add additional coverage with a plan from ApexHealth.
- You can stay on someone else’s insurance until they retire. At that point, you must enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) if you haven’t already.
I’m on someone else’s insurance/Past 65
You can stay on their insurance for as long as they do!
You may still be on someone else’s health insurance, which is great. But there are still some things you can do now to get ready for Medicare:
- You can stay on someone else’s insurance until they retire, or you lose your health insurance (whichever comes first.) At this time, you must enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) if you haven’t already.
- Learn about the different types of Medicare so you know your options. Here’s a quick overview.
- Call an ApexAssistant to find out if a Medicare plan makes more sense for you.
- Enroll in Original Medicare Part A by contacting the Social Security Administration. (You can delay enrolling in Part B as long as you are on the other person’s health plan.)
- At least three months before they retire or you lose your health insurance, come back to our site to shop for Medicare plans.
Still have questions?
Our ApexAssistants have answers… and lots of other information you might want to know.
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