Question about signing up for Social Security and Medicare at the same time (supplement, states)
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So, I turn 65 on Feb 10. I work full time and have health insurance through my employer. I want to start getting SS and Medicare (A and B) and retire ASAP. I know now I'm supposed to sign up three months before I turn 65, but it's too late for that. The Medicare site says that my coverage will start the first day of the month of my birthday if I sign up the month before. But since I'm signing up for SS at the same time (which says allow three months), will it delay the start of my Medicare, or will they start at different times? And how soon will I know after signing up on the website? Thanks.
Take a look at this Medicare webpage where it says:
"When you're first eligible for Medicare, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B.
Example
For example, if you're eligible when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65."
If are going to continue working, have you decided if you are going to signup for Part B coverage right away, or wait til you no longer have employer health insurance ??
Sorry, I was not clear enough. I am not going to continue working. The only reason I'm working is for the health insurance. As soon as I turn 65 (next month) I want to get Part B and start receiving social security. But I have not yet signed up for anything. If I sign up this week for both, will I be covered by Medicare on February 1st? Or will I have to wait until my social security is also approved?
You would do well to call the nice folks at Social Security and ask them when your coverage will start. I signed up for Medicare last year, but it was within 3 months before my 65th birthday. You have a much shorter period of time to get coverage started. I have had occasion to talk with the people at Social Security a couple of times since then and have found them to be very nice and helpful, so give them a call. I expect they will be able to give you the information you need.
Sorry, I was not clear enough. I am not going to continue working. The only reason I'm working is for the health insurance. As soon as I turn 65 (next month) I want to get Part B and start receiving social security. But I have not yet signed up for anything. If I sign up this week for both, will I be covered by Medicare on February 1st? Or will I have to wait until my social security is also approved?
Your coverage begins the following month. Go to your local SS office and enroll.
You still need a Medigap unless your employer is offering retiree coverage. 'Course, you can go without a Medigap - just need to be sure you're prepared to pay the 20% Medicare doesn't pay should you need anything major. If you don't enroll in a Medigap or MA w/in the first six months after enrolling in Part B, the insurers don't have to take you and can deny coverage due to preexisting conditions.
Quote:
The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during the 6-month period that begins on the first day of the month in which you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. For example, if you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B in June, the best time for you to buy a Medigap policy is from June to November.
After this enrollment period, your option to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and it may cost more. Some states have additional open enrollment periods.
Sorry, I was not clear enough. I am not going to continue working. The only reason I'm working is for the health insurance. As soon as I turn 65 (next month) I want to get Part B and start receiving social security. But I have not yet signed up for anything. If I sign up this week for both, will I be covered by Medicare on February 1st? Or will I have to wait until my social security is also approved?
you automatically become eligible for Medicare at 65. and its starts then.Part A is automatic and you chose part b and part D. Be sure to know penalty on coverage of part B and D if not otherwise covered.
Your coverage begins the following month. Go to your local SS office and enroll. You still need a Medigap unless your employer is offering retiree coverage. 'Course, you can go without a Medigap - just need to be sure you're prepared to pay the 20% Medicare doesn't pay should you need anything major. If you don't enroll in a Medigap or MA w/in the first six months after enrolling in Part B, the insurers don't have to take you and can deny coverage due to preexisting conditions.
Part D is drug coverage - not a Medigap. Actually, if OP takes medication, he should consider the purchase of that, as well, or there will be a penalty for late enrollment. The more years he waits, the higher the penalty.
Medigap is privately purchased "gap" insurance to pay the 20% Medicare doesn't pay, including the hospital deductible which is significant, especially if one is hospitalized often. Medigap Plans F or G are expensive, although there are cost-sharing Medigaps available, as well. Premiums and carriers for Medigaps vary widely by state.
The other option is Medicare Advantage - administered by private insurance carriers. These often include drugs, but have more limited provider networks, often run as HMOs. We've got a number of threads on health insurance forum covering the differences between Medigaps/MAs.
Search for these insurance carriers and a tool for comparing Part D drug plans can be found here:
So, I turn 65 on Feb 10. I work full time and have health insurance through my employer. I want to start getting SS and Medicare (A and B) and retire ASAP. I know now I'm supposed to sign up three months before I turn 65, but it's too late for that. The Medicare site says that my coverage will start the first day of the month of my birthday if I sign up the month before. But since I'm signing up for SS at the same time (which says allow three months), will it delay the start of my Medicare, or will they start at different times? And how soon will I know after signing up on the website? Thanks.
I signed up for both Medicare and SS at the same time when I turned 65- about 1.5 years ago. I don't think you're required to sign up for either of these three months before you're eligible, it's just that you can. I signed up for both about 6 weeks before I turned 65, ( about mid-June 2012) and was told coverage for both would begin on August 1. My birthday is in August.
You can sign up on the website if you want to, I opted to sign up over the phone with a representative from our local SS office- you call them, they will make an appointment to call you back at a specific time and take your information, and enroll you in SS and/or Medicare. Either way, I don't think your enrolling in both SS and Medicare at the same time should delay your starting either program.
I"d imagine you get some sort of confirmation that you've successfully enrolled in SS/Medicare ( may be two different sites for that, I don't know), but you'll also get the information in the mail in a confirmation letter.
Good luck!
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