Medicare Open Enrollment--or wait 'til I'm almost 65? (plan, supplement, BCBS)

[newfie56]

I'm confused about Medicare enrollment. I'm in NC, and have been getting solicitations/invitations from different companies/organizations that tell me to take advantage of the open enrollment for 2020 NOW!!! My 65th birthday isn't until spring 2021, and I thought we were supposed to wait until three months before (or after) to sign up. I'm self-employed (part-time) and buy my insurance directly from BCBS. Do I need to sign up now for the best options, as all this mail/email promotional stuff is telling me to do? I haven't seen clear answers to this on Medicare.gov. Thanks in advance for any insights.

[Parnassia]

https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-cha...ign-up-periods

Basically, if you would normally be eligible for Medicare on your 65th birthday (no special circumstances) there's a 7 month window within which to enroll.

I turned 65 in September but I started getting deluged with fliers and mail about supplements almost a year before.

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by newfie56

I'm confused about Medicare enrollment. I'm in NC, and have been getting solicitations/invitations from different companies/organizations that tell me to take advantage of the open enrollment for 2020 NOW!!! My 65th birthday isn't until spring 2021, and I thought we were supposed to wait until three months before (or after) to sign up. I'm self-employed (part-time) and buy my insurance directly from BCBS. Do I need to sign up now for the best options, as all this mail/email promotional stuff is telling me to do? I haven't seen clear answers to this on Medicare.gov. Thanks in advance for any insights.

The options won't change whether you choose a plan now or next year. Contact SS about enrolling in Part B after the first of the year. Once you've done that, you can begin the process of choosing either a Medigap supplement or an Advantage plan.

Differences between Medigap and Advantage, explained here:

https://www.city-data.com/forum/43835454-post8.html

[newfie56]

Thanks for your responses! The links are very helpful.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by newfie56

I'm confused about Medicare enrollment. I'm in NC, and have been getting solicitations/invitations from different companies/organizations that tell me to take advantage of the open enrollment for 2020 NOW!!! My 65th birthday isn't until spring 2021, and I thought we were supposed to wait until three months before (or after) to sign up. I'm self-employed (part-time) and buy my insurance directly from BCBS. Do I need to sign up now for the best options, as all this mail/email promotional stuff is telling me to do? I haven't seen clear answers to this on Medicare.gov. Thanks in advance for any insights.

Trying to get to you asap: all the companies will be on you to enroll asap and try to get you to take their supplement or their advantage program.