What is Medicare?

Learn more about Medicare.

Overview

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People younger than age 65 with certain disabilities, permanent kidney failure, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), may also be eligible for Medicare. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage. If you choose to have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage, you can buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private insurance company. Medigap covers some of the costs that Medicare does not, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. If you choose Medicare Advantage, you can buy a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that bundles your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage) into one plan (source: SSA PDF). 

Enrollment Periods

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• Your first chance to sign up (Initial Enrollment Period) 
  • Generally, when you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. 
• Special Enrollment Period: Have or hadhealth insurance through your job, your spouse’s job (or a family member’s job if you’re disabled*)   
  • Starts: The first month after your Initial Enrollment Period ends. 
  • Ends: 8 months after the group health plan coverage or the employment ends, whichever happens first. 
  • Coverage begins: Generally, the first month after you sign up. If you sign up for Part B while you (or your spouse) are still working, or within the first full month after employer coverage ends, you can ask to delay your Part B start date up to 3 months. This Special Enrollment Period doesn't apply if you're eligible for Medicare based on End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or you're still in your Initial Enrollment Period. 
• Between January 1-March 31 each year (General Enrollment Period) 
  • You can sign up between January 1-March 31 each year. This is called the General Enrollment Period. Your coverage starts the month after you sign up. You might pay a monthly late enrollment penalty, if you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. 

(Source: Medicare.gov)

Medicare Plan Finder and Helpful Websites

• Log in to (or create) your Medicare account: Medicare.gov Log in to your account 
• Your Account Log-in Options: Medicare.gov Log in Help  
• Create a Medicare Plan Finder Account: Instructional video

Where to Enroll

To sign up for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance), you’ll need to contact the Social Security Administration.  

Where to enroll: 

• Apply online through the Social Security website.  
• Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).  
• Make an appointment with a Social Security office. 

(Source: Medicare.gov)