4 Things to Know About Medicare
Just because you aren’t looking to retire in the next several years doesn’t mean that you should put off learning about Medicare Health Insurance. In fact, it’s better to understand how the government health program works well before you qualify for it so you can make the best of the coverage when you reach the qualifying age. With that in mind, your friends at Sackett & Associates Insurance Services would like to share four things you should know about Medicare
1. Think About Medicare in Your Early 60s
There’s a lot for you to think about before you enroll in Medicare at the age of 65. For instance, you need to know which doctors are covered under with the individual plan you choose. Switching doctors when you’re older can be a bit of a hassle, so it’s good to choose one who can keep taking care of you when you’re on Medicare.
You’ll also need to check to ensure any medications you might be taking when you’re ready for Medicare are covered. Plan on traveling when you’re in your 60s? Find out if your coverage can make the trip with you, and be sure to have a solid idea of how much your deductibles and premiums will be, as well.
2. Know That Medicare Coverage Is Not Always Automatic
While Social Security Part A and Part B are automatic when you turn 65, the same can’t be said of Medicare. You also have the option of delaying Social Security benefits when you come of age and signing up for Medicare instead, but you’ll need to call to sign up, making sure you contact the Social Security offices to inform them of your choice. No matter which option you select, it’s vital that you make a decision and act on it well before you turn 65, at least four months before your birthday.
3. Understand Parts A, B, C and D
And just like Social Security benefits, there are different parts of Medicare; four parts, in fact. Part A takes care of your inpatient care bills while you’re in the hospital, but you’ll need to both qualify for Medicare and have contributed to your Social Security taxes for a least 10 years. Part B handles home health care, physician visits and hospital outpatient care. Part C is a combination of Parts A and B, but it also includes prescriptions and hearing as well as vision services. Part D is solely for prescriptions, but know that there are several different tiers to this particular part.
4. Use a Medicare Broker to Help Pick the Best Options
As with any type of insurance, your options for Medicare can be more than a bit overwhelming. That’s why we recommend working with a Medicare broker in Santa Rosa to help narrow down your options and choose the best one for your particular circumstances. Not only that, but your broker can better ensure that you don’t have to pay unnecessary late penalties for missing enrollment periods without having any other kind of accepted coverage.
For more professional information on Medicare, contact us here on our site. You’re also free to hit us up on Facebook and find us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.
