I’m Turning 65…Now What?

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Now you need some clear no nonsense info about turning 65 Medicare enrollment windows. You need answers to questions like “Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?”. If so, when you turn 65 when does Medicare start? Really what you need is a simplified Turning 65 checklist to follow.

Health Insurance after Turning 65

Though, almost every citizen gets Original Medicare since it covers the basics; Part A (hospice care) and Part B (doctor visits and outpatient care), but you can still sign up for additional benefits with Private Insurers who provide additional coverage through Medicare Advantage plans, depending on your eligibility.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. It can cover Part A, Part B, prescription drugs and may provide additional coverage for dental, hearing and vision care.

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When do I enroll for Medicare Advantage?

The time to enroll in Medicare is three months before or three moths after or the actual month of your 65^th birthday. This may be ideal to get your coverage started once you clock 65 because the initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months surrounding your 65^th birthday. It starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after that. This will help you avoid any late enrollment penalties.

Once you’ve enrolled in Original Medicare, you can follow up these steps to get your Medicare Advantage plan rolling:

• Read about additional coverage options like the Medicare Advantage plan offered by any trusted private insurer
• Wait for your Medicare ID number to arrive. You will need that to sign up for additional coverage.

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What do Medicare Advantage Plans offer?

Original Medicare is run and administered by the Federal government while Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans provide the same benefits as Original Medicare Part A and Part B, as well as additional benefits such as coverage for prescription drugs, hearing, vision dental and fitness.

Basically, you don’t need additional coverage if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan because MA plans cover everything that Medicare part A and Part B covers, except for hospice care which is still covered by Medicare Part A. Also, most Medicare Advantage plans come with extra benefits such as Prescription drug coverage, hearing and vision care.

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Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period for Seniors

Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage commences on the 1^st of January to the 31^st of March. During this period, you can make one particular change which will take effect from the first of the month after the plan receives your request.

During this period, you can do the following:

• Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage)
• Dis-enrol from your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you do that, you might be able to join a Medicare drug plan.
• If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrolment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without drug coverage) within the first 3 months of your enrollment;

Within this same period, however, you cannot switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, neither can you join a Medicare drug plan or switch from one Medicare Prescription drug plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare.

The Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage is the same the Original Medicare Enrollment period (three months before, the month of, and three months after your 65^th birthday) 7-month window period.

However, if you enroll for a Medicare Advantage plan during this period, you can drop the plan at any time during the next 12 months and go back to Original Medicare.

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What do I benefit from Medicare Advantage Plans when I’m 65 or older?

1. COST-SAVING

Medicare advantage can help you save extra cost on certain healthcare services when you are old and weak. If you get enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you get to pay your Medicare Part Premium. Your private insurer determines the plan’s premium which varies, depending on the MA plan you chose. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have premiums as low as $0.

Also, you get to enjoy low cost sharing under Medicare Advantage. For example, if you visit a Primary care physician under Medicare Advantage, you may pay a copayment of $10, this is in contrast to Original Medicare which charges as much as 20% as copayment, and may exceed $10. Medicare Advantage plans limits your Maximum out-of-pocket expenses, thereby saving you from added expenses.

2. COORDINATED CARE

Typically, Medicare Advantage plans are Managed care plans with a network of managed care providers. Once you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may get to enjoy from coordinated care from in-network providers. Such managed care is convenient for you and valuable to your health especially at old age. 

3. Plan Variety

With Medicare Advantage, there are a variety of plan for you to choose from. Basically, there are 5 types of MA plans to choose from, including Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), Preferred Provider Organisation (PPO), Special Needs Plan (SNP) Private FEE for Service (PFFS), Medicare Savings Account, and others. Each of these plans has something that meets your healthcare needs.

4. In addition

Medicare Advantage plans can serve as your one-stop center for all your health and prescription drug coverage needs and other added benefits like vision, dental and hearing care. The convenience of having all these from a single provider makes it an ideal choice for seniors.

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Do I Automatically Get Medicare When I Turn 65?

However, if you are not taking Social Security until age 65 or older, you will have to enroll in Part B manually.

Your Part B premium will be deducted from your Social Security check if you’re receiving. Otherwise, you will be billed quarterly for your Part B premium.

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Turning 65 Checklist (Not Taking Social Security Yet)

Approaching your 65 birthday may seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Here is an easy to follow turning 65 checklist:

• Compare current coverage to Medicare + a supplement or advantage plan.
• Get enrolled in Part B
• Once you receive your Medicare Card, you can proceed to enroll in the plan you chose
• On the first day of your birth month, your Medicare policy will begin

Turning 65 Checklist (Already Drawing Social Security)

• Compare current coverage to Medicare + a supplement or advantage plan.
• Call the Social Security office and get your MBI number if you haven’t already.
• 3-6 months out from your birth month you can enroll in a Supplement or Advantage plan.
• The first day of your birth month, your Medicare policy will begin.

Additional Turning 65 Medicare Benefits

There are a few unique opportunities you have now that you’re turning 65. Here’s the questions you’re asking, the ones you should be asking, and how to spot these opportunities.

“When you turn 65 when does Medicare start?”

People often ask, when you turn 65 when does Medicare start? The answer is the first day of your birth month, but just as important is window around your birth month.

So rather than just asking “when you turn 65 when does Medicare start?” you should also be asking, “what else needs to start during this time as well?”.

Another question people ask is “do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?” which we’ve discussed already.

I find when people are automatically enrolled, they tend to think all the work is done for them, and miss out on one time opportunities to obtain the best health care. So rather than just asking “do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?” follow it with, “if so, what else can I do?”.

Medicare Supplement Guarantee Issue

Make sure you realize you have a one time opportunity to get a Medicare Supplement Plan without any health underwriting. So, If you do have health complications and you were considering a Supplement, now is your chance to try one out.

You have 3 months before, the month of, and three months after turning 65 to get a Medicare Supplement with no health questions.

Hospital Indemnity Guarantee Issue

If you are going the Medicare Advantage route, I always recommend pairing these with a Hospital Indemnity plan. This is one step that got left off of the turning 65 checklist, but is still very important.

With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will have a copay if you’re hospitalized (that’s part of the trade off since theirs no additional monthly premium). A hospital Indemnity plan pays you out direct if this happens, and they start as low as $30 per month.

These plans take care of some of the largest out of pocket costs in your Medicare Advantage Plan. A Medicare Advantage Plan paired with A Hospital Indemnity Plan is one of the most economical Medicare Solutions available.

However, just like a Medicare Supplement, you will have to pass health underwriting. That is, unless you are turning 65. In that case you have a 6 month window BEFORE you turn 65 to get a Hospital Indemnity Plan without answering and health questions. So if you have health complications and are going the Medicare Advantage route, take advantage of this one time opportunity.

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Conclusion

Here we’ve answered all your questions from “do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?” to “When you turn 65 when does Medicare start?”.

You’ve gotten our short concise Turning 65 Checklist. We’ve even given you tips to spot those 1 time Turning 65 Medicare enrollment opportunities.

Now to find which plan is the right one for you. Fill out the form on the right side of the screen to find the customized Medicare plan for you.