Medicare Sign-up/options
Hi Terry,I read 2-3 times that if you have been collecting SS for 4 months,you will be auto-enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65.Do you know about this ??
Also,I hear you talk on WGN about which options to choose (a-b-c,etc.)
Can you guide me here ?? I’ll be 65 next January,and started collecting SS in January of this year.
All help is much appreciated.
Terry Says
First of all, you should avoid signing up for Social Security before reaching your full retirement age — likely near 67. BUT you are “eligible” for Medicare at age 65. You must sign up for Medicare in order to receive it. And if you do not have any other health coverage, you should sign up at Medicare.gov just before your 65th birthday.
You’ll want to sign up for Medicare Part A (hospitalization), which is free. You should also sign up for Medicare Part B (premiums based on your previous income), and choose a supplement — all of which you can do on the Medicare.gov website. You’ll also want to sign up for Part D– the drug program — even if you are not currently taking prescription drugs.
You must actively participate in signing up. Again, if you are still working and have coverage at work, then you don’t have to sign up until your eoverage at work ends.
