Turning 65 Soon? If yes, it’s the right time to learn about your Medicare options and how to enroll in Medicare. Every day, around 10,000 Americans reach the age of Medicare eligibility. You should start researching on “Turning 65? Medicare options in Fort Worth” or wherever you live in the United States long before your 65th birthday.
No matter how easy and simple the government tries to make Medicare sound, it can be very confusing and overwhelming. There is an exception for almost every rule in Medicare which makes it difficult for seniors to understand how the standards apply to them.
Unsurprisingly, many seniors struggle for months to understand Medicare options and determine the right fit for them. Even a single mistake can be expensive, and if you miss enrollment deadlines, you will find yourself without healthcare insurance protection for several months. In case you don’t correctly evaluate your coverage requirements, it will leave you exposed to substantial penalties.
So, today, we are going to share a few basics related to Medicare enrollment for all those who are currently 64 and going to turn 65 in the near future.
- You will become eligible to enroll in Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. The enrollment period will continue for up to three months after your birthday month. Meaning, the total duration for Medicare enrollment is 7 months: 3 months before the 65th birthday, birthday month, and three months after the 65th birthday. Thus, it is always better to start your research on Medicare options in Fort Worth soon after you turn 64.
- While seniors can apply for Social Security Benefits right after they become 62 (or at least 61 years and 9 months old), most people think about it right when they turn 65. Remember that dealing with Social Security can be taxing and difficult as the agency has not a big staff and in-person appointments can be hard to book. Thus, don’t wait to enroll in Social Security until the last minute.
- The status of your Social Security matters. If you have already started receiving Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65. However, if you have not applied for Social Security benefits yet, you will receive Medicare coverage only if you choose to take the initiative, choose the right option, and fill out the necessary forms within a valid enrollment period.
- Your major decision will be to choose Fort Worth Medicare options when turning 65. You need to determine what type of Medicare coverage you want to have. Original Medicare allows you to visit any doctor you want but in that case, you may have to pay for a bigger share of healthcare costs out of your pocket. On the other hand, the Medicare Advantage plan restricts the choice of doctors you can visit for consultation and treatment but it will be less costly and also offer extra hearing and vision benefits.
- Thus, if you are already visiting a doctor for years and want to continue to visit him for further healthcare, check if they accept Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. In case paying for prescription drugs is your major concern, then compare coverage available under both types of Medicare plans. Those who can afford may also want to apply for Medicare supplemental plan or Medigap policy that pays deductibles and co-payments.
For any assistance with choosing the right Medicare plan, please feel free to get in touch with us. We are always happy to make your life easier and healthcare more affordable with our expertise in Fort Worth Medicare.