Blog

Get Started With Medicare

Medicare is its own universe  with its own jargon, terms, rules, and regulations. This can be intimidating, especially for those of us just starting out. However, signing up for Medicare is a vital step in making sure that you and your family have access to the essential healthcare you need in your golden years. Beware of Medicare scams!   Protect your Medicare ID and enrollment information.    Read on to learn how to get stared with Medicare.

 Learn the Basics

Original Medicare has two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A is hospital insurance, and Part B is medical insurance. Within these two parts, many of the basic health care you will need is covered. There is also Part D, which are prescription drug plans that are purchased separately. Medigap, or Medicare Supplemental Insurance, refers to additional coverage purchased from private insurance carriers that helps pay for the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare. Another name for Medicare Part C is  Medicare Advantage.   Part C is an alternative to Original Medicare.  Private insurance companies offer MAPDs.   The federal government does not offer these plans. These are bundled plans that usually include hospital, medical, and prescription coverage.  You must enroll in Medicare to qualify for one of these plans.

Prepare to Sign Up – Enroll

Get started with Medicare.   Most become eligible at age 65. And, promptly sign up.  Individuals receiving benefits from Social Security are automatically enrolled in Part A of Original Medicare.   Part A is hospital insurance. When they sign up for Social Security benefits, they have a choice about whether or not to enroll in Part B (medical insurance). Therefore, individuals not receiving Social Security benefits, must enroll in Part A.  Enrollment is not automatic for these persons. Here are the easiest ways to sign up:

• Online, at Social Security. The website is the easiest, fastest way to sign up and access any financial help you may qualify for.

• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

• You can contact your local Social Security office.

• If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

Regardless of method used to get stared with Medicare,  beneficiaries receive a welcome packet.     The welcome packet includes a Medicare card.   After enrollment, it takes about   2-3 weeks for the card to arrive.

Using Medicare

New enrollees will receive their Medicare card and start their coverage. It is a good idea to keep the Medicare card private, and only share it with medical professionals if necessary, as there are many scams around filing false claims to Medicare. The majority of doctors and service providers in the nation accept Medicare – about 93%. The most commonly excluded health care professionals, those who opt out of Medicare assignment, are psychiatrists and mental health practitioners, as well as pediatricians. It may also be helpful to give Medicare permission to share your information with someone you trust.  They can help if there is ever a medical emergency and you are unable to discuss treatment.

With these three simple steps, you will be well on your way to using Medicare successfully.

After Enrollment

The rise of automated and exclusively-online enrollment means that it can be easier to use technology to scam the unsuspecting.  Beware of Medicare scams!   Protect your Medicare ID and enrollment information. Medicare beneficiaries should always remember that Medicare will not reach out to beneficiaries via call or email unless they are answering their inquiry. Medicare will also never offer free gifts, medical equipment, or any other service for free.

Additionally, beneficiaries on an advantage plan do not need to show their Medicare card to providers.   Therefore, best if this card remains in a secure location not on them.

Licensed Agents

Are you a licensed certified Medicare agent?   Work with a better FMO.   Click here to see what Crowe and Associates has to offer. 

Keep up with all of our current events by clicking here. 

Ready to contract?   Begin here.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.   We provide weekly training.  We cover up to date topics on webinars.   And, we host weekly zoom calls.  Additionally, use this opportunity to network with other agents.

Click here to view more images by this artist

Does Medicare Offer Family Plans?

Many Americans are currently enrolled in family health care plans either through the exchange or through their employer-provided health insurance. It is not uncommon for entire families to be covered under one policy. Medicare, however, only provides individual coverage to single beneficiaries. Two spouses can be both enrolled in Medicare, but must each have their own individual plans. This means that beneficiary’s families will need separate coverage, because they cannot be added to the Medicare policy.

Therefore, the short answer is no, Medicare does not offer family plans. But it’s more complicated than that. Although over half of all Medicare eligible Americans aged 65 and older are married, Medicare is not dependent on marital status.

The beneficiary and their spouse must enroll in their own separate Medicare plans, at whatever time they become eligible as individuals. Married partners may even need to enroll at different times, depending on factors such as age, health, and disability. However, marital status can influence some Medicare costs.

The reason that marital status can influence some of the Medicare costs is this: for Medicare Part B, the combined household income is what is considered for determining the premium. In most cases, each beneficiary will still pay the standard monthly part B premium, which is $164.90 per month for this year (2023).   This premium is adjusted annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). If the beneficiary’s tax returns show a combined household income of $194,000, then each beneficiary will pay more for their monthly premiums. The higher the family’s combined annual income, the higher their individual Medicare Part B premiums will be.    The additional premium amount is known as the Part B IRMAA (Medicare income-related monthly adjustment amount).   Like the Part B premium, IRMAA amounts are also adjusted annually.

Click here to view more images by this artist

Medicare Eligibility

Medicare Eligibility is available to anyone turning 65, disabled prior to the age of 65 or with ESRD.  People turning age 65 need to have 40 quarters of working credits or have a spouse with 40 quarters. You must also be a U.S resident or be legally in the U.S. for 5 concecutive years.  The CMS website has a lot of very detailed information on this topic.   Click for CMS details on Medicare A and B enrollment

Steps for Medicare eligible people

Currently enrolled in Medicare: Click here to check your enrollment 

Medicare Eligibility: Other Resources

Sign up for Medicare after age 65 ( Medicare general enrollment period)

Medicare Part D Rx income penalty