Turning 65 Soon? No need to worry, we're here to help!
Sign Up
Most people get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) when first eligible (usually when turning 65). Generally, there are risks to signing up later, like a gap in your coverage or having to pay a penalty. However, in some cases, it might make sense to sign up later.
Learn about Part A and Part B, sign up periods, and when coverage starts.
2 Ways to Find out if Medicare Covers What You Need
Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about why you need certain services or supplies.
Ask if Medicare will cover them. You may need something that's usually covered but your provider thinks that Medicare won't cover it in your situation. If so, you'll have to read and sign a notice. The notice says that you may have to pay for the item, service, or supply.
​
Find out if Medicare covers your item, service, or supply.
​
​
Medicare coverage is based on 3 main factors
-
Federal and state laws.
-
National coverage decisions made by Medicare about whether something is covered.
-
Local coverage decisions made by companies in each state that process claims for Medicare. These companies decide whether something is medically necessary and should be covered in their area.
Initial Enrollment Period
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Medicare Parts A, B and D last 7 months.
-It begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month, and runs for 3 months after your birth month.
-Enrolling in Medicare during your IEP means that you will have NO late penalties.
-There are also no pre-existing condition waiting periods.
65
3 Months Before
Your Birth Month
Start Shopping
You have 7 months to sign up for Medicare and enroll in a Medicare Plan.
3 Months After
Enrollment Ends
This is your last month to enroll or you might pay a late-enrollment penalty.
Part A
What Part A Covers
Medicare Part A hospital insurance covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility, hospice, lab tests, surgery, home health care.
​
In general, Part A covers:
-
Inpatient care in a hospital
-
Skilled nursing facility care
-
Nursing home care (inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility that’s not custodial or long-term care)
-
Hospice care
-
Home health care
Part B
What Part B Covers
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers, including doctor and other health care providers' services and outpatient care. Part B also covers durable medical equipment, home health care, and some preventive services.
​
In general, Part B covers things like:
-
Clinical research
-
Ambulance services
-
Durable medical equipment (DME)
-
Mental health
-
Inpatient
-
Outpatient
-
-
Partial hospitalization
-
Limited outpatient prescription drugs
​​
2 Ways to Find out if Medicare Covers What You Need
Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about why you need certain services or supplies.
Ask if Medicare will cover them. You may need something that's usually covered but your provider thinks that Medicare won't cover it in your situation. If so, you'll have to read and sign a notice. The notice says that you may have to pay for the item, service, or supply.
​
Find out if Medicare covers your item, service, or supply.
​
​
Medicare coverage is based on 3 main factors
-
Federal and state laws.
-
National coverage decisions made by Medicare about whether something is covered.
-
Local coverage decisions made by companies in each state that process claims for Medicare. These companies decide whether something is medically necessary and should be covered in their area.