What To Do At Age 64
Now is the time to make important decisions regarding your health insurance needs!
If you are already collecting Social Security benefits, you should receive your Medicare card in the mail a few months prior to your 65th birthday. If you are not yet collecting Social Security, or if you are and have not received your Medicare card, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov two to three months before your birthday.
Part A Hospital Insurance has no premium if you have paid 40 quarters into the Social Security system. Part B has a monthly premium based on your income. NOTE: if you do not have a Medicare A & B, you will not be able to purchase Medigap supplemental insurance or a Medicare Advantage Plan.
If you have creditable health coverage through either your own or your spouse's large employer group, you may be able to defer your Part B enrollment until you or your spouse is no longer working for the company. If the company has less than twenty employees, however, you will need to enroll in Part B. For more information, please see Enrollment Periods/Guaranteed Rights.
Last, but not least, contact HICAP for a one-on-one appointment to go over all your options for enrolling in Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D prescription coverage. 1-800-434-0222.
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