To be eligible for Medicare, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Typically, eligibility starts on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. The exception to this is if you were born on the first day of a month, then you would become eligible for Medicare on the first day of the prior month. If you receive Social Security Disability benefits and have been receiving them for at least 24 months, then you will automatically be eligible for Medicare. If someone has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), they will automatically be eligible after they start receiving disability benefits. If automatically enrolled due to receiving Social Security, you will be enrolled in Medicare A and B (original Medicare). The card will be mailed to you in about three months ahead of the month in which you become eligible. If you do not receive social security benefits, you are not automatically enrolled and will need to take steps to enroll. Typically, this is done in your three-month window before your birthday month when you turn 65. By doing this, your Medicare coverage will begin on the correct time frame, which would be on the first of the month you turn 65. If, by chance, you do not do this, you will face a delayed start of coverage.
How do you enroll?
Online – www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up (It’s important to make sure you are using .gov and nothing else!)
Select “Sign up for Medicare” for A and B, or Sign up for Part B only. You will need to register and create an account. Keep account info (username and password) safe and keep it for anytime you may need the information to log on.
Visit in person or call your local Social Security office. You can look for offices near you at www.bit.ly/ssa-offices
After enrolling, your Medicare card should come within 3 weeks.
If you have any questions and want more information, please give our office a call (843) 369-5433. Puzzled? We Can Help!
– Thompson Insurance