Medicare Decisions and Planning

As you near age 65, you need to learn about Medicare coverage choices and make several important enrollment decisions.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services recommend completing the following tasks at least 3 months prior to turning 65.
Everyone turning 65 should complete these tasks
Get familiar with Medicare and its “parts”
To learn about Medicare, see the “Introduction to Medicare” fact sheet. You can also visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Determine your Initial Enrollment Period

Review the “Deciding Whether to Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B When You Turn 65” fact sheet to help you determine the dates for your Initial Enrollment Period.

You can also use the Medicare Eligibility and Premium Calculator to determine your Initial Enrollment Period. Visit Medicare.gov/eligibilitypremiumcalc/ or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227 or TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Decide whether to enroll in Part A and Part B when you turn 65
Review the “Deciding Whether to Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B When You Turn 65” fact sheet to help you make these decisions.
Find out if you need to contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare (or opt-out of Part B)
Review the “Deciding Whether to Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B When You Turn 65” fact sheet to help you find out if you need to contact Social Security.
Find out if you need to contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare (or opt-out of Part B)
To learn more about Part D, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Some people should also complete two additional tasks
If you decide to enroll in BOTH Part A AND Part B when you turn 65, decide whether to get coverage such as Medicare supplement insurance or a Medicare Advantage Plan

People with both Part A and Part B have options for their Medicare coverage. Some people choose Medicare Advantage Plans (such as HMOs and PPOs) for their Medicare coverage. Others choose to purchase Medicare supplement insurance (also known as a Medigap policy). You must have both Part A and Part B to get these types of coverage.

Most people who are still working and have employer coverage do NOT need these types of coverage. If you don’t have coverage from a current employer, you can learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap policies by visiting Medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

If you decide to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) when you turn 65, select your prescription drug plan

Medicare prescription drug coverage is offered only through private companies. If you want Part D coverage, you must choose a plan.

To learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Get a printable version of the checklist

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Our goal is to help you find the best value for your dollar when choosing a supplemental plan.

We can help before you turn 65 or evaluate your options to see if we can find a plan that will lower your current premiums.

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Gary Gerstenhaber