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How to Sign Up for Original Medicare

Original Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, people with certain disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It has two parts:

  • Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
  • Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

To sign up for Original Medicare, you can:

  • Apply online at the Social Security website.
  • Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
  • Visit your local Social Security office.

If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Part A. You will need to sign up for Part B separately.

When to sign up for Original Medicare

You can sign up for Original Medicare during the following times:

  • Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is a seven-month period that starts three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month of your birthday, and ends three months after your birthday.
  • General Enrollment Period (GEP): This is a four-month period that runs from January 15 to March 31 each year.
  • Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you have a qualifying event, such as a change in income, a move, or a loss of other health insurance, you may be able to sign up for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period.

Cost of Original Medicare

Part A is premium-free if you or your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years). If you don’t have enough work credits, you will have to pay a monthly premium.

Part B has a monthly premium of $174.20 in 2023. You may also have to pay a yearly deductible of $235.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, can help you pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. There are 10 different Medigap plans available, each with its own set of benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans are private health insurance plans that offer all of the benefits of Original Medicare, plus additional benefits, such as prescription drug coverage. There are many different Medicare Advantage Plans available, so you can choose one that fits your needs and budget.

Choosing the Right Medicare Plan

There are many factors to consider when choosing a Medicare plan. You will need to think about your health needs, your budget, and your lifestyle. You may also want to talk to a Medicare specialist to get help choosing the right plan for you.

More information

For more information about Original Medicare, please visit the Social Security website or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

The Pros and Cons of Private Medicare Plans

Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement plans are two types of Medicare health insurance plans that can help you pay for your Medicare costs. Both plans have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand the differences between them before you decide which one is right for you.

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. These plans typically provide all of the Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) benefits that Original Medicare does, and may also include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans typically have lower monthly premiums than Medigap plans, but they may have higher copayments and deductibles.

Medigap plans are standardized plans that are offered by private insurance companies. These plans are designed to supplement Original Medicare, and they help pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap plans have different coverage levels, so it’s important to choose a plan that meets your needs.

Here are some of the key differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement plans:

  • Coverage: Medicare Advantage plans typically provide all of the Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) benefits that Original Medicare does, and may also include prescription drug coverage. Medigap plans are designed to supplement Original Medicare, and they help pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
  • Cost: Medicare Advantage plans typically have lower monthly premiums than Medigap plans, but they may have higher copayments and deductibles. Medigap plans have different coverage levels, so it’s important to choose a plan that meets your needs.
  • Network: Medicare Advantage plans typically have networks of doctors and hospitals that you can use. If you see a doctor or hospital outside of your plan’s network, you may have to pay more for your care. Medigap plans do not have networks, so you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
  • Flexibility: Medicare Advantage plans typically have more restrictions on your choice of doctors and hospitals than Medigap plans. Medigap plans give you more flexibility in choosing your doctors and hospitals.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans:

Pros:

  • Lower monthly premiums than Medigap plans
  • Typically include prescription drug coverage
  • May have more benefits than Medigap plans
  • May have more generous coverage for out-of-pocket costs

Cons:

  • May have more restrictions on your choice of doctors and hospitals
  • May have higher copayments and deductibles than Medigap plans
  • May not be available in all areas

Here are some of the pros and cons of Medigap plans:

Pros:

  • More flexibility in choosing your doctors and hospitals
  • No networks
  • Typically have lower out-of-pocket costs than Medicare Advantage plans

Cons:

  • Higher monthly premiums than Medicare Advantage plans
  • May not include prescription drug coverage
  • May have less comprehensive coverage than Medicare Advantage plans

If you are considering enrolling in Medicare, it’s important to understand the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement plans so that you can choose the plan that best meets your needs. You can talk to a Medicare counselor or an insurance agent to learn more about your options.