Turning 65 and transitioning from an employer-sponsored or individual health plan to Medicare can seem daunting.  While there are some wonderful benefits to consider when deciding to move to Medicare, here are a few tips to hopefully make the transition more seamless.

How do I sign up?

Signing up for Original Medicare can be as easy as a mouse-click.  The Medicare website at Medicare.gov has all the resources you need to be able to sign up for Original Parts A & B online.  You can also choose to enroll by phone or in person at a local Social Security Administration office, but be prepared to spend some time waiting in line.

When can I sign up?

There are a few circumstances that give you an opportunity to sign up for Original Medicare, the most common time being when you turn 65 years old.  In this case, you have the 3 months before, the month of, and the 3 months following your 65th birthday.  Other times may come up when you become eligible because of a disability, or maybe you’ve decided to keep your employer-sponsored coverage and wait to sign up for Part B.

Do I need to do anything else?

While signing up for Original Medicare is very important, it is just as important to choose the best Medicare Supplement or Advantage plan to suit your needs.  If you choose a Medicare Supplement, you’ll also need to consider purchasing a separate Part D Prescription Drug Plan.  These plans cover services and other supplies that aren’t covered completely under your Original Medicare Parts A & B.

We’re here to help!

We can help you to sift through all of the options available to make sure you are choosing the best plan to fit your personal needs.  Call us today at (775) 221-7417 to schedule an in-depth review of your Medicare needs!