i havemy health benefits at kaiser but i wiil be 65 so i need to apply for medicare, what do i do?

Who can enroll in a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plan?

Adults of any age who are eligible for Medicare due to a disability or end-stage renal disease can also enroll in a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plan once they have been approved for Medicare.

How do your Original Medicare benefits work together with Kaiser?

How do your Original Medicare benefits work together with Kaiser? Some Original Medicare recipients who have coverage with both Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance) find they still have to pay more for the health care services than they can afford and may benefit from additional coverage.

Does Kaiser Permanente have Medicare coverage?

Today, Kaiser has one of the country’s largest nonprofit health care plans and provides coverage for over 12 million people enrolled in the program. Medicare recipients can enroll in a Kaiser Permanente program if they are a resident of Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, or the District of Columbia.

Should you enroll in Medicare at age 65?

Though you don’t need to enroll in Medicare at age 65 if you have coverage through a qualified group health plan, doing so might make sense if that plan isn’t heavily subsidized by your employer.

Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?

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.)

Is Kaiser Senior Advantage the same as Medicare?

This is a Medicare Advantage plan, which means that it generally replaces your Medicare coverage. You agree to let Kaiser manage your Medicare benefits. It is an HMO (health maintenance organization) with a closed network of providers.

Can I keep Kaiser with Medicare?

You won't lose Part A and Part B coverage. When you become a member, Kaiser Permanente will provide your Medicare benefits to you. Keep in mind that to sign up for a Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan, you'll need to be enrolled in Medicare Part B.

When can you enroll for Medicare?

65Generally, you're first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. (You may be eligible for Medicare earlier, if you get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.)

Who qualifies for Kaiser Senior Advantage?

65 and olderIt pays for medical care for: • The nation's elderly (those 65 and older). Certain disabled persons. Current Kaiser Permanente members with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Designed to provide basic protection against the cost of inpatient hospital care and other institution-provided inpatient or home health care.

Who qualifies for free Medicare Part A?

You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if: You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

What documents do I need to apply for Medicare?

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

Do you automatically get Medicare with Social Security?

You automatically get Medicare because you're getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

How do I know if I have Medicare?

You will know if you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan by checking your enrollment status. Your enrollment status shows the name of your plan, what type of coverage you have, and how long you've had it. You can check your status online at www.mymedicare.gov or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.

Does Kaiser Permanente accept Medicare and Medicaid?

You can get Medicare Advantage plans from private health care providers like Kaiser Permanente. Part D is prescription drug coverage that can be added to Original Medicare and is available from private health care providers like Kaiser Permanente.

How do I get Medicare Part B?

Most people get Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) when they turn 65....There are 3 ways you can sign up:Fill out a short form, and send it to your local Social Security office.Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.Contact your local Social Security office.

How do I call Medicare?

(800) 633-4227Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services / Customer service

What is Medicare for people over 65?

Medicare is health insurance that the United States government provides for people ages 65 and older. It also covers some people younger than 65 who have disabilities and people who have long-term (chronic) kidney failure who need dialysis or a transplant. Medicare helps pay for most hospital services and doctor visits.

How long do you have to be on Medicare before you turn 65?

If you qualify for automatic enrollment, you will be sent your Medicare card 3 months before you turn 65 or your 25th month of disability.

How many people does Medigap cover?

A Medigap policy only covers one person, so you and your spouse would each need your own policy.

What is a Medigap policy?

Medigap is an insurance policy that you can buy from a private company to cover costs that are not covered by original Medicare. These costs include co-payments and deductibles. The cost of a Medigap policy depends on what is covered. Some policies pay for health care costs when you travel outside the United States.

What is covered by Part B?

Part B. This part covers doctor visits and services such as wheelchairs, walkers, lab tests, and surgeries. It also covers preventive care, such as flu shots, mammograms, colorectal screenings, and yearly wellness visits.

Who runs Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicaid and Medicare are run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. government.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescriptions?

This part covers prescription drug benefits. With original Medicare, you need to join a drug plan (run by a private company) and pay a monthly premium. With Medicare Advantage, drug coverage may be part of your plan. If not, you can choose to join and pay for a separate drug plan along with Medicare Advantage.

When do you enroll in Medicare Part A?

Most people are enrolled in Medicare Part A automatically when they qualify due to age or disability. You can enroll in Part B or choose to get your Part A and Part B benefits through a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan during a period of time called your initial enrollment period. You may risk paying a late enrollment penalty if you decide to enroll later.

What is Medicare Advantage?

In general, private insurance companies across the United States offer Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans to those who are eligible for Medicare. What plan is available in your location depends on what insurance companies are approved by Medicare to sell Part C plans.

What percentage of medical expenses does Medicare cover?

While Original Medicare insurance covers 80 percent of medical and hospital expenses, beneficiaries are responsible for the remaining 20 percent, as well as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Is Kaiser a non profit?

Today, Kaiser has one of the country’s largest nonprofit health care plans and provides coverage for over 12 million people enrolled in the program. Medicare recipients can enroll in a Kaiser Permanente program if they are a resident of Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, or the District of Columbia.

Does Kaiser offer Medicare Advantage?

If you live in a state that offers Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans, you can get full coverage that includes Original Medicare Parts A and B, prescription drug coverage (Part D), and additional optional benefits like hearing, vision, and dental care.

How long does it take to get Medicare?

Learn how to make sure they have health insurance once you’re enrolled. Medicare eligibility starts at age 65. Your initial window to enroll is the seven-month period that begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after it. Seniors are generally advised to sign up on time to avoid penalties ...

What happens if you don't sign up for Medicare?

Specifically, if you fail to sign up for Medicare on time, you’ll risk a 10 percent surcharge on your Medicare Part B premiums for each year-long period you go without coverage upon being eligible.

When do you get Medicare if you leave your job?

In that case, you’ll get an eight-month special enrollment period to sign up for Medicare if and when you leave your job or your employer stops offering coverage. It will start the month after you separate from your employer, or the month after your group health coverage ends – whichever happens sooner.

How long do you have to sign up for a Part B plan?

Sign up during those eight months, and you won’t have to worry about premium surcharges for being late. And the eight-month special enrollment period is also available if you’re delaying Part B enrollment because you’re covered under your spouse’s employer-sponsored plan, assuming their employer has at least 20 employees.

Do you have to double up on Medicare?

No need to double up on coverage. Many seniors are no longer employed at age 65, and thus rush to sign up for Medicare as soon as they’re able. But if you’re still working at 65, and you have coverage under a group health plan through an employer with 20 employees or more, then you don’t have to enroll in Medicare right now.

Does Medicare pay for Part A?

That said, it often pays to enroll in Medicare Part A on time even if you have health coverage already. It won’t cost you anything, and this way, Medicare can serve as your secondary insurance and potentially pick up the tab for anything your primary insurance (in this case, your work health plan) doesn’t cover.

When do you need to sign up for Medicare?

If the employer has less than 20 employees: You might need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 so you don’t have gaps in your job-based health insurance. Check with the employer.

What happens if you don't sign up for Part A and Part B?

If you don’t sign up for Part A and Part B, your job-based insurance might not cover the costs for services you get.

Does Medicare work if you are still working?

If you (or your spouse) are still working, Medicare works a little differently. Here are some things to know if you’re still working when you turn 65.

Do you have to tell Medicare if you have non-Medicare coverage?

Each year, your plan must tell you if your non-Medicare drug coverage is creditable coverage. Keep this information — you may need it when you’re ready to join a Medicare drug plan.

When is Medicare paid first?

When you’re eligible for or entitled to Medicare because you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), during a coordination period of up to 30 months, the group health plan or retiree coverage pays first and Medicare pays second. You can have group health plan coverage or retiree coverage based on your employment or through a family member.

How does Medicare work with other insurance?

When there's more than one payer, "coordination of benefits" rules decide which one pays first. The "primary payer" pays what it owes on your bills first, and then sends the rest to the "secondary payer" (supplemental payer) ...

What is a Medicare company?

The company that acts on behalf of Medicare to collect and manage information on other types of insurance or coverage that a person with Medicare may have, and determine whether the coverage pays before or after Medicare. This company also acts on behalf of Medicare to obtain repayment when Medicare makes a conditional payment, and the other payer is determined to be primary.

How long does it take for Medicare to pay a claim?

If the insurance company doesn't pay the claim promptly (usually within 120 days), your doctor or other provider may bill Medicare. Medicare may make a conditional payment to pay the bill, and then later recover any payments the primary payer should have made. If Medicare makes a. conditional payment.

How many employees does a spouse have to have to be on Medicare?

Your spouse’s employer must have 20 or more employees, unless the employer has less than 20 employees, but is part of a multi-employer plan or multiple employer plan. If the group health plan didn’t pay all of your bill, the doctor or health care provider should send the bill to Medicare for secondary payment.

Which pays first, Medicare or group health insurance?

If you have group health plan coverage through an employer who has 20 or more employees, the group health plan pays first, and Medicare pays second.

What is the phone number for Medicare?

It may include the rules about who pays first. You can also call the Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center (BCRC) at 1-855-798-2627 (TTY: 1-855-797-2627).