Why You Should Enroll In Medicare When First Eligible

This article is part of an ongoing series of informative Medicare guest posts written by MedicareFAQ. Don't wait too long to enroll in Medicare. You don't want penalties.  - Carol Navigating through the waters of Medicare can be intimidating, but you still should enroll when you’re first eligible because Medicare will impose lasting penalties if you delay enrollment. You Could Be Eligible for Medicare Part A & B For Medicare Beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and turning 65, there is a 7-month window in which to review your options and enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. The period starts three months before the month you turn 65, which includes the month in which you turn 65 and the three months after your 65th birth month.  If you have one of the following, you could be eligible for Medicare prior to age 65: End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) You are under age 65 and have a disability If any of the above situations apply to you, speak to a licensed agent to discuss your options. There are instances when a Medicare Beneficiary is automatically signed up for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B however, most people will need to actively decide to enroll in Parts A and B. A quick outline of those penalties follows with a more detailed review below. The Truth About Medicare Penalties When you’re first eligible for Medicare, enrolling in coverage means you avoid a number of possible penalties. Som...
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs