Medicare Blog

how to apply for medicare in washington

by Mariam Little Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Who is eligible for Medicare in Washington?

Medicare is a government health insurance program for people 65 and over, some people under the age of 65 with disabilities, and people of any age living with permanent kidney failure. It pays for many health care expenses but does not cover them all.

What are the first steps to applying for Medicare?

Ways to sign up:

Online (at Social Security) – It's the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. (You'll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.) Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

What documents do I need to apply for Medicare?

What documents do I need to enroll in Medicare?
  1. your Social Security number.
  2. your date and place of birth.
  3. your citizenship status.
  4. the name and Social Security number of your current spouse and any former spouses.
  5. the date and place of any marriages or divorces you've had.

When should I start my application for Medicare?

In most cases, you should apply for Medicare as soon as you're eligible. The initial enrollment period starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birth month, and extends three months past the month you turn 65, giving you a seven-month window to apply.

How long before you turn 65 do you apply for Medicare?

3 months
Your first chance to sign up (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. My birthday is on the first of the month.

Are you automatically enrolled in Medicare if you are on Social Security?

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.)

What is the maximum income to qualify for Medicare?

To qualify, your monthly income cannot be higher than $1,010 for an individual or $1,355 for a married couple. Your resource limits are $7,280 for one person and $10,930 for a married couple. A Qualifying Individual (QI) policy helps pay your Medicare Part B premium.

Is Medicare Part A free?

Most people don't pay a monthly premium for Part A (sometimes called "premium-free Part A"). If you buy Part A, you'll pay up to $499 each month in 2022. If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $499.

Can I get Medicare Part B for free?

While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.Jan 3, 2022

What are the Medicare income limits for 2022?

2022
If your yearly income in 2020 (for what you pay in 2022) wasYou pay each month (in 2022)
File individual tax returnFile joint tax return
$91,000 or less$182,000 or less$170.10
above $91,000 up to $114,000above $182,000 up to $228,000$238.10
above $114,000 up to $142,000above $228,000 up to $284,000$340.20
3 more rows

How do you pay for Medicare Part B if you are not collecting Social Security?

If you have Medicare Part B but you are not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits yet, you will get a bill called a “Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due” (CMS-500). You will need to make arrangements to pay this bill every month.

What is Medicare Part A and B?

Part A (Hospital Insurance): Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. Part B (Medical Insurance): Helps cover: Services from doctors and other health care providers. Outpatient care.

About Medicare in Washington

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for United States citizens and permanent residents of at least five continuous years....

Types of Medicare Coverage in Washington

Original Medicare provides inpatient hospital care under Medicare Part A, and physician services and some durable medical equipment through Medicar...

Local Resources For Medicare in Washington

1. Medicare Savings Programs in Washington: If you are a Medicare beneficiary in Washington and have an income that is below the Federal Poverty Li...

How to Apply For Medicare in Washington

You apply for Medicare in Washington as you would in any other state. To qualify for Medicare, you must be either a United States citizen or a lega...

How long do you have to be a resident of Washington to qualify for Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare, you must be either a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident of at least five continuous years.

What is Medicare Advantage Plan in Washington?

When eligible beneficiaries in Washington enroll in Medicare, they can receive their benefits through Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, or enroll in a version offered by private insurance companies called a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C). Offering at least the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B (excluding hospice care), Medicare Advantage plans may include other benefits like routine vision, dental, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

What is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans are available through private insurance companies . They are stand-alone drug plans that add prescription drug coverage to your Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, insurance. As mentioned, you can also get Medicare prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug benefits.

What are the benefits of Medicare Advantage?

Offering at least the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B (excluding hospice care), Medicare Advantage plans may include other benefits like routine vision, dental, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

How long does Medicare coverage last on railroads?

Disabled residents can be enrolled at any age, provided they receive Social Security disability benefits, or certain disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, for 24 consecutive months; Medicare coverage starts automatically in the 25th month of disability benefits.

How many Medicare Supplement plans are there?

Most states (including Washington) can offer up to 10 Medicare Supplement plans, though not every insurance company may offer all 10.

How to apply for Social Security in person?

Visit a local Social Security office to apply in person. For office hours, visit SSA.gov to look up the closest location to you.

How long does it take for Social Security to enroll in Medicare?

Also, if you're already receiving Social Security Disability benefits, Social Security will automatically enroll you in Medicare after 24 months. If you're not sure if you need to enroll yourself, contact Social Security to find out. Apply online at Social Security (www.ssa.gov).

How to contact Social Security at age 65?

Important: If you're within three months of turning age 65, contact your local Social Security office or SHIBA at 800-562-6900 for more information.

What is the number to call if you worked for a railroad?

If you worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at 877-772-5772.

How long before Medicare card is sent out?

We’ll mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card 3 months before your Medicare coverage starts.

How to contact railroad retirement board?

If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

How long after you sign up for Part A do you have to sign up for Part B?

You get Part A automatically. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it. If you don’t sign up for Part B within 3 months after your Part A starts, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

How long do you have to sign up for Part A?

You get Part A automatically. If you want Part B, you need to sign up for it. If you don’t sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

What is Medicare for people over 65?

Medicare. Medicare is a government health insurance program for people 65 and over, some people under the age of 65 with disabilities, and people of any age living with permanent kidney failure.

Does Medicare cover personal care?

Medicare has limits on the type of care it will pay for and for how long. For example, Medicare covers only medically "reasonable and necessary" care and does not cover personal care that helps you with things like bathing, dressing, etc.

On this page

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) can provide assistance with premium costs, copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance for individuals who are entitled to Medicare and meet program requirements.

Information about how to qualify

To find out if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), view the income chart in this brochure.

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