Dear (prospect name): Congratulations on turning 65! My name is (agent name) and I am a licensed Medicare Agent in the (town/city) area. I have been reaching out to folks who are turning 65 because there are many decisions you will be making relative to your health insurance, and I would like to offer my help.
Full Answer
How to enroll in Medicare if you are turning 65?
How to enroll in Medicare if you are turning 65. 1 Visiting your local Social Security office. 2 Calling Social Security at 800-772-1213. 3 Mailing a signed and dated letter to Social Security that includes your name, Social Security number, and the date you would like to be enrolled in ... 4 Or, by applying online at www.ssa.gov.
When do you have 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.
How do I sign up for Medicare Parts A and B?
If you decide to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Parts A and/or B by: Visiting your local Social Security office Calling Social Security at 800-772-1213
Do I have to contact anyone to enroll in Medicare?
If you are not receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will need to actively enroll in Medicare. If you are eligible for automatic enrollment, you should not have to contact anyone. You should receive a package in the mail three months before your coverage starts with your new Medicare card.
How do I apply for Medicare as one approaches 65 years old?
Ways to sign up:Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.Contact your local Social Security office.If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
What are the Medicare letters?
There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug coverage.
How do I notify Medicare?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY users 1-877-486-2048; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact a licensed insurance agency such as Medicare Consumer Guide's parent company, eHealth. Call eHealth's licensed insurance agents at 888-391-2659, TTY users 711.
Are you automatically signed up for Medicare when you 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.)
What is the Welcome to Medicare visit?
The Welcome to Medicare preventive visit is a one-time appointment you can choose to receive when you are new to Medicare. The aim of the visit is to promote general health and help prevent diseases. Medicare Part B covers your one-time Welcome to Medicare preventive visit.
Does Medicare send letters?
These letters confirm actions you took (or you asked us to do for you) regarding your secure Medicare account. We send letters when you: Create your new account (or ask us to create your account) Ask us to reset your password.
What is a CMS demand letter?
The demand letter explains how to resolve the debt, either by repayment or presentation, and documentation of a valid defense. The insurer/TPA is to repay Medicare the lesser of its total primary payment obligation or the amount that Medicare paid.
Do you have to notify Medicare when someone dies?
Medicare. You will need to inform Medicare that your loved one has died. There is a simple form you'll need to fill in, so that the Department of Human Services can update its records.
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...
What do I need to do before I turn 65?
Turning 65 Soon? Here's a Quick Retirement ChecklistPrepare for Medicare. ... Consider Additional Health Insurance. ... Review Your Social Security Benefits Plan. ... Plan Ahead for Long-Term Care Costs. ... Review Your Retirement Accounts and Investments. ... Update Your Estate Planning Documents.
Will Medicare automatically send me a Medicare card?
Once you're signed up for Medicare, we'll mail you your Medicare card in your welcome packet. You can also log into (or create) your secure Medicare account to print your official Medicare card. I didn't get my Medicare card in the mail. View the Medicare card if you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.
What is good about turning 65?
One of the best benefits of turning 65 is free time. If you've chosen to retire and don't plan on working, then you have free time that you could only dream about all those years of working regular hours. You're eligible for Medicare and AARP as well as spend your 401(k) and downsize your living quarters.
Do I need to sign up for Medicare when I turn 65?
It depends on how you get your health insurance now and the number of employees that are in the company where you (or your spouse) work.
How does Medicare work with my job-based health insurance?
Most people qualify to get Part A without paying a monthly premium. If you qualify, you can sign up for Part A coverage starting 3 months before you turn 65 and any time after you turn 65 — Part A coverage starts up to 6 months back from when you sign up or apply to get benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board).
Do I need to get Medicare drug coverage (Part D)?
You can get Medicare drug coverage once you sign up for either Part A or Part B. You can join a Medicare drug plan or Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage anytime while you have job-based health insurance, and up to 2 months after you lose that insurance.
What age group do you sell Medicare?
As an insurance agent who sells Medicare, most of your clients probably fall into the 65 and older population. When you talk to people in this age group, there are several communication do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.
How to avoid a slipup when meeting with an older adult?
Getting into the habit of using the right words when you’re talking about older adults will help prevent a slipup when you’re meeting with a client. It’s essential to practice using the appropriate identifiers when talking to other agents, your field marketing organization, and especially your clients.
What is the tendency to use patronizing language or simplified words when talking to seniors?
Avoiding Elderspeak. One major offense an agent can make when talking to older Medicare clients is falling into elderspeak. This is the tendency to use patronizing language or simplified words when talking to seniors or addressing them with names like, “sweetie” or “dear.”.
What should your input be regarding?
Your input should always be regarding what plan you think , in your opinion as a professional agent, is the best fit for your client. It goes against the Medicare Advantage & Part D Communication Requirements to say that one plan is the best or that your client must pick one over another.
What does "still" mean in seniors?
Note that it’s not just demographic labels that can insult seniors. A word like “still” can also convey negativity, as in still driving or still exercising. Phrases like these imply that seniors are doing something out of the ordinary, when in fact, many of them drive and work out on a daily basis.
Why is it important to exercise choice as an insurance agent?
For seniors, being able to exercise choice can lead to a greater sense of confidence and self-esteem. It also helps them feel empowered to be more proactive in life.
Do seniors have to learn simplified words?
Many seniors maintain the same vocabulary they had years ago, several improving their vocabulary as they age. There’s no reason to assume someone over the age of 65 needs simplified words or phrases any more so than younger individuals.
When do you get Medicare?
Most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65. Your Medicare enrollment steps will differ depending on whether or not you are collecting retirement benefits when you enter your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) .
How to enroll in Medicare if you are a railroad retiree?
If you are eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits, enroll in Medicare by calling the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or contacting your local RRB field office. Keep proof of when you tried to enroll in Medicare, to protect yourself from incurring a Part B premium penalty if your application is lost.
Why is it important to work with an agency that specializes in targeting Medicare leads?
Working with an agency that specializes in targeting Medicare leads enables your agents to find qualified leads before it is too late. This timeline is important for many reasons, the most important of which is that your agents will need time to reach out to those in their early 60’s and establish a relationship.
Will Medicare purchase anything before they understand it?
No one will purchase anything before they understand it. Creating comprehensive resources that help Medicare leads to follow along while on the phone helps to close a lot more sales.
Can you close Medicare leads?
Closing leads and targeting warm Medicare leads is almost entirely dependent on your ability to educate them, and help them find answers to all of their questions. All other factors can be missing and you can still close a sale, but this is the one factor that absolutely HAS to be there to close more Medicare leads.