what is in the post enrollment package that you get after enrolling in a medicare plan

After you enroll in Medicare, you will receive a “Welcome to Medicare” package in the mail The “Welcome to Medicare” packet includes your Medicare ID card, as well as a letter and a booklet about Medicare options.

Full Answer

What's included in a Medicare pre-enrollment letter?

It includes a letter, booklet, and Medicare card. The booklet explains important decisions you need to make before your Medicare coverage starts. It's sent to all people who automatically get Medicare because they're getting Social Security benefits before they're eligible for Medicare.

What is included in the Medicare welcome package?

This welcome package is the first mail you'll get from Medicare. It includes a letter, booklet, and Medicare card. The booklet explains important decisions you need to make before your Medicare coverage starts.

Is there a special enrollment period for Medicare Advantage?

Special Enrollment Periods exist for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), as well as for Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) and prescription drug plans (Medicare Part D). Join our email series to receive your free Medicare guide and the latest information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

What is the Medicare open enrollment period (AEP)?

Many Medicare beneficiaries enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. During this period (also called the Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP), you can make a number of coverage changes:

Do you automatically get a Medicare card in the mail?

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 are the four parts of Medicare what do they cover?

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.

Why do I keep getting Medicare mail?

Ads or mailings from Medicare health plans typically start on or just after October 1 each year. These marketing campaigns are designed to prompt you to call a phone number, enter an email address, or register for an event to learn more about an advertised plan and ultimately sign up for that plan.

Does Medicare cover post?

Typically, Medicare Part A pays for post-acute care, even if you get your services at home.

Why do I need Medicare Part C?

Medicare Part C provides more coverage for everyday healthcare including prescription drug coverage with some plans when combined with Part D. A Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MAPD) plan is when a Part C and Part D plan are combined. Medicare Part D only covers prescription drugs.

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.

What is in the Welcome to Medicare packet?

It includes a letter, booklet, and Medicare card. The booklet explains important decisions you need to make before your Medicare coverage starts. It's sent to all people who automatically get Medicare because they're getting Social Security benefits before they're eligible for Medicare.

Do you automatically get a Medicare card when you turn 65?

You should receive your Medicare card in the mail three months before your 65th birthday. If you are NOT receiving benefits from Social Security or the RRB at least four months before you turn 65, you will need to sign up with Social Security to get Parts A and B.

Should you give your Medicare number over the phone?

Treat your Medicare card like it's a credit card. Don't ever give it out except to your doctor or other Medicare provider. Never give your Medicare Number in exchange for free medical equipment or any other free offer. Dishonest providers will use your numbers to get payment for services they never delivered.

What is the 3 day rule for Medicare?

The 3-day rule requires the patient have a medically necessary 3-consecutive-day inpatient hospital stay. The 3-consecutive-day count doesn't include the discharge day or pre-admission time spent in the Emergency Room (ER) or outpatient observation.

What is the 100 day rule for Medicare?

Medicare pays for post care for 100 days per hospital case (stay). You must be ADMITTED into the hospital and stay for three midnights to qualify for the 100 days of paid insurance. Medicare pays 100% of the bill for the first 20 days.

Is a hip kit covered by Medicare?

Is Hip Replacement Covered By Medicare? Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) will typically cover hip replacement surgery if your doctor indicates that it is medically necessary. This does not mean, however, that Medicare will cover 100 percent of the costs.

First things first: When will I receive my “Welcome to Medicare” package?

The arrival of your “Welcome to Medicare” packet depends on your enrollment in Medicare. For most, enrollment in Medicare is automatic, but some ne...

What’s in my Medicare package?

Your first piece of mail from CMS will include a welcome letter, a booklet and your red white and blue Medicare card.

Decision #1: Do I want to keep Part B?

If it makes sense not to keep Part B, you don’t have to decide other details about your coverage.

Decision #2: What type of Medicare coverage do you want?

If you do decide to keep Part A and Part B, you have options for coverage:

What if I still have questions after receiving my “Welcome to Medicare” package?

A lot goes into this decision — and the booklet covers a lot of information — but GoHealth offers you even more comprehensive information. In addit...

What if I just stick with Parts A and B after receiving my Medicare package but then change my mind?

If you’ve already started paying Part B premiums, then the answer depends on the current calendar. Contacting GoHealth is an excellent place to sta...

What if I lose my Medicare card?

While you should protect your Medicare card much like you would a credit card, accidents happen. If you can’t find yours, you must contact the Soci...

Is Medicare card theft a scam?

Unfortunately, identify theft and fraud have become huge concerns for Medicare beneficiaries, with scammers targeting their victims via phone, social media, at events, and even door-to-door. It is crucial to be vigilant and aware of these scams, and to protect your Medicare card and number as you would your other personal identification.

Does Medicare pay for Part A?

Most Medicare beneficiaries receive premium-free Part A, so there is no payment associated with this part of Medicare. If you are responsible for paying Part A, you will receive a bill for your payment in the mail.

The member experience

One of the first things you’ll want to do is register at the secure member website. This is among the most important tools for communicating with Aetna® and understanding your benefits. On your secure member website you will be able to:

Going beyond the basics

Once you’ve got the basics down, you can also use your secure member website to begin exploring how you can use your benefits. For example, there is an area on the site where you can select or change your primary care physician (PCP).

Accessing helpful benefits

Your plan also comes with a host of lesser-known benefits and services. And you can schedule a Healthy Home Visit where a doctor or nurse practitioner comes to your home to give you a health assessment at no extra cost to you.

A new chapter

As a new Medicare Advantage member, you’re starting an exciting new chapter in your health journey. And don’t worry, you’ll have a lot of support along the way. We offer a variety of tools and resources to help you make the most of your plan and live the fullest life possible.

Adding a Medicare Supplement Plan

Outside of the one-time, six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that begins when you first get Medicare Part B at age 65, there’s no guarantee you can buy a Medicare Supplement plan unless you qualify for certain special provisions, known as Guaranteed Issue Rights (GI Rights).

Changing or Dropping a Medicare Supplement Plan

You can drop out of your private Medicare Supplement plan at any time of the year, but you may not be able to get into a new one outside of the Medigap Open Enrollment period.

Adding a Medicare Advantage Plan

You will not be able to add a Medicare Advantage plan during Open Enrollment if you don’t already have one, in most cases. Some exceptions to this rule include if you’re new to Medicare or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period during this time frame.

Changing or Dropping a Medicare Advantage Plan

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period each year from January 1st to March 31st, you can make a one-time change to your Medicare Advantage plan, including switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or dropping back down to Original Medicare.

Special Enrollment Periods

Special Enrollment Periods apply to certain times of year depending on the circumstance and can include life events such as moving out of your plan’s service area, qualifying for Medicaid or Extra Help, or losing creditable coverage through no fault of your own.

When is the open enrollment period for Medicare?

Learn more and use this guide to help you sign up for Medicare. Open Enrollment: The fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period has officially begun and lasts from October 15 to December 7, 2020. You may be able to enroll in ...

What is a special enrollment period?

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is an enrollment period that takes place outside of the annual Medicare enrollment periods, such as the annual Open Enrollment Period. They are granted to people who were prevented from enrolling in Medicare during the regular enrollment period for a number of specific reasons.

How long do you have to disenroll from Medicare Advantage?

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan when you first became eligible for Medicare, you have 12 months to disenroll from the plan and transition back to Original Medicare.

What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare at 65?

If you did not enroll in Medicare when you turned 65 because you were still employed and were covered by your employer’s health insurance plan, you will be granted a Special Enrollment Period.

How long does Medicare Advantage coverage last?

If you had a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage which met Medicare’s standards of “creditable” coverage and you were to lose that coverage through no fault of your own, you may enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan with creditable drug coverage beginning the month you received notice of your coverage change and lasting for two months after the loss of coverage (or two months after receiving the notice, whichever is later).

How often can you change your Medicare Advantage plan?

If you move into, out of, or currently reside in a facility of special care such as a skilled nursing home or long-term care hospital, you may enroll in, disenroll from, or change a Medicare Advantage plan one time per month.

What to do if you don't fit into Medicare?

If your circumstances do not fit into any of the Special Enrollment Periods described above, you may ask the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for your own Special Enrollment Period based on your situation.

What is a SEP for Medicare?

What is the Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP)? The Medicare Part B SEP allows you to delay taking Part B if you have coverage through your own or a spouse’s current job. You usually have 8 months from when employment ends to enroll in Part B. Coverage that isn’t through a current job – such as COBRA benefits, ...

What to do if your Social Security enrollment is denied?

If your enrollment request is denied, you’ll have the chance to appeal.

What is a Part B SEP?

The Part B SEP allows beneficiaries to delay enrollment if they have health coverage through their own or a spouse’s current employer. SEP eligibility depends on three factors. Beneficiaries must submit two forms to get approval for the SEP. Coverage an employer helps you buy on your own won’t qualify you for this SEP.

When do you have to take Part B?

You have to take Part B once your or your spouse’s employment ends. Medicare becomes your primary insurer once you stop working, even if you’re still covered by the employer-based plan or COBRA. If you don’t enroll in Part B, your insurer will “claw back” the amount it paid for your care when it finds out.

How long can you delay Part B?

You can delay your Part B effective date up to three months if you enroll while you still have employer-sponsored coverage or within one month after that coverage ends. Otherwise, your Part B coverage will begin the month after you enroll.

What Is It?

• This welcome package is the first mail you'll get from Medicare. It includes a letter, booklet, and Medicare card. The booklet explains important decisions you need to make before your Medicare coverage starts. It's sent to all people who automatically get Medicare because they're getting Social Security benefits before they're eligible for Medicar...

See more on medicare.gov

When Should I Get It?

What Should I Do If I Get These Materials?

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Publication, Product, Or Other Number

The Member Experience

• One of the first things you’ll want to do is register at the secure member website. This is among the most important tools for communicating with Aetna® and understanding your benefits. On your secure member website you will be able to: 1. View, download and print your member ID card. 2. Manage communication preferences like your preferred contact ...

See more on aetnamedicare.com

Going Beyond The Basics

Accessing Helpful Benefits

A New Chapter