Medicare Blog

if you're 65 and already have health insurance what parts of medicare do you need

by Ms. Anna Cummerata Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If you want to enroll when you are turning 65, you can enroll in Medicare Parts A & B, Part D prescription drug coverage or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. You can also look at adding a Medicare supplement insurance plan to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to help with the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare.

Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medical hospital insurance (Part A) if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can enroll in Medicare medical insurance (Part B) by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium.

Full Answer

Do I need Medicare at 65 if I have other health insurance?

coverage (as defined by the IRS.) If it’s not, sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid a monthly. Part B late enrollment penalty. Part B late enrollment penalty. You’ll typically pay an extra 10% for each year you could have signed up for Part B, but didn’t. We’ll add this penalty to your monthly Part B premium.

What happens to Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65?

Sep 05, 2017 · So, if you (or your spouse) are at least 65 and work for such an employer, your choices include: Keeping your existing group health plan, which may provide more benefits than Medicare, and wait until you retire to enroll in any aspect of Medicare.

How do I sign up for Medicare if I'm 65?

May 20, 2021 · If by the time you reach 65 you’ve worked a total of approximately 10 years over your career, you’re entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A, which pays for in-patient hospital charges and more.

Do you need Medicare if you already have health insurance?

Jun 03, 2021 · In January 2020 (pre-pandemic), 19.7% of individuals age 65 or older were working. “There was a rush of people over 65 last year that got …

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Why do people work at 65?

Just as people have a variety of reasons to keep working when they hit 65, they also have a variety of health, insurance and financial factors that affect their choice of getting Medicare while they continue to work.

What to do if you are 65 and working for an employer?

So, if you (or your spouse) are at least 65 and work for such an employer, your choices include: Keeping your existing group health plan, which may provide more benefits than Medicare, and wait until you retire to enroll in any aspect of Medicare.

How much is Part B?

The standard Part B monthly payment is $134, but you might pay more or less depending on your income and whether you’re collecting Social Security. The number of employees working at your company also plays a big part in determining when it might be best for you to enroll in Part B.

What is the name of the insurance company that trades as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield?

In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123.

When should I sign up for Medicare?

Signing up for Medicare as soon as you turn 65, during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), makes the most sense. If you do have an existing health plan, check with your benefits administrator or insurer about how it works with Medicare.

Can I add a prescription drug plan to my Medicare?

You can also add a prescription drug plan (Part D) and/or a Medicare Supplement plan for even more coverage. Declining your employer’s group health plan and enroll in a private insurer’s Medicare Advantage Plan, also known as Part C, which might include prescription drug coverage.

Do you have to sign up for Medicare if you are 65?

If you’re 65 or older with no plans to leave the workforce soon, you may be wondering if you should sign up for Medicare. The thing is, it depends.

How long does Medicare enrollment last?

The general rule for Medicare signup is that unless you meet an exception, you get a seven-month enrollment window that starts three months before your 65th birthday month and ends three months after it. Having qualifying insurance through your employer is one of those exceptions. Here’s what to know.

How much is the surcharge for Part B?

For Part B, that surcharge is 10% for each 12-month period you could’ve had it but didn’t sign up. For Part D, the penalty is 1% of the base premium ($33.06 in 2021) multiplied by the number of full, uncovered months you didn’t have Part D or creditable coverage.

Who is Elizabeth Gavino?

“I find it is always good to just confirm,” said Elizabeth Gavino, founder of Lewin & Gavino and an independent broker and general agent for Medicare plans.

Do you have to sign up for Medicare at age 65?

Medicare may not be top of mind if you’re nearing the eligibility age of 65 and already have health insurance through your employer. However, it probably deserves some attention. While not everyone must sign up, many are required to enroll unless they want to face life-lasting late-enrollment penalties.

Can I delay Medicare if I lose my group insurance?

The general rule for workers at companies with at least 20 employees is that you can delay signing up for Medicare until you lose your group insurance (i.e., you retire). Many people with large group health insurance delay Part B but sign up for Part A because it’s free. “It doesn’t hurt you to have it,” Roberts said.

Does Medicare have a premium?

Part A has no premium as long as you have at least a 10-year work history of contributing to the program through payroll (or self-employment) taxes.

Can a 65 year old spouse get Medicare?

Some 65-year-olds with younger spouses also might want to keep their group plan. Unlike your company’s option, spouses must qualify on their own for Medicare — either by reaching age 65 or having a disability if younger than that — regardless of your own eligibility.

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.

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.

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.

How long does the enrollment period last?

Your initial enrollment period lasts for seven months and includes the month during which you turn 65, as well as the three months before and after. If you choose not to sign up during your initial enrollment period, the general enrollment period runs from January 1 to March 31 each year, but you may have to pay a penalty in the form ...

What age do you have to be to get Medicare?

The age of eligibility for Medicare is 65, and some people are enrolled automatically while others need to sign up. If you're already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) retirement benefits, you'll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B on the first day of the month you turn 65.

How long does it take to sign up for Medicare?

The most convenient way to sign up for Medicare is online through the Social Security Administration's website. The application takes less than 10 minutes, there are no forms to sign, and there's usually no further documentation requirement. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

Where is Matt from Motley Fool?

Matt is a Certified Financial Planner based in South Carolina who has been writing for The Motley Fool since 2012. Matt specializes in writing about bank stocks, REITs, and personal finance, but he loves any investment at the right price.

Is retirement considered employment based?

However, it's important to be aware that if you retire and are allowed to stay enrolled in your former employer's plan, it's not considered employment-based coverage (after all, you're not "employed" at that point) for the purposes of obtaining a special enrollment period.

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