(Newswire.net — October 9, 2019) — How do I sign up for Medicare Part A? Some people don’t know what to do when turning 65 – at least in regards to Medicare and working part time, if you hope to keep working for a longer while – and end up missing the great opportunities that Medicare insurances provide. That’s why, instead of scratching yourself with the tortuous question of “How do I sign up for Medicare Part A only?”, ask yourself the following: “Can I sign up for Medicare online, or just by phone?” because the answer for that one is quite blunt and simple: yes!
How do I Sign Up for Medicare Part A
This article will guide you through the basics for signing up in Medicare Part A. If you have already turned 65, chances are that you might enroll automatically in one if you meet some requirements, but if you want to make sure of that, this article will help you with the specifics of this process.
What’s Medicare Part A?
Let’s firstly state what’s Medicare Part A, as there are also Part B, Part C, Part D and so on, with B being the second most common insurance plan. Basically, Medicare Part A covers hospital expenses, hospice, and home health care. Medicare Part B, however, covers outpatient medical care such as doctor visits, x-rays, blood work, and routine preventative care. In simpler terms, Part A is a hospital insurance, while Part B is a broader, more personalized medical insurance.
As we said, you might be enrolled in Medicare Part A automatically when you turn 65, but only if you meet certain requirements. Let’s check them out:
How to Sign Up
You’ll be signed up automatically if…
- You’re receiving retirement benefits already.
- You’re receiving disability benefits from Social Security.
Sometimes you’ll be enrolled automatically in Medicare Part B instead, but you can contact Social Security via email or phone to explain to them that you want to exchange it for Part A.
How Do I Sign Up for Medicare Part A Only?
Although you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B at the same time, you can choose Part A and drop Part B altogether. However, if you’re not automatically enrolled to any of them, it’s either because you’re not receiving retirement benefits or you’re not eligible for them. In either case, you can still enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), the seven-month period that begins three months before you turn 65, and which includes the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months later. You can do this through the official Social Security website and/or phone, although we recommend in person, which makes things smoother.
If you didn’t enroll during the IEP, you can during the General Enrollment Period, which starts from January 1 through March 31 of each year. Mind you, though: you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty for Part A and/or Part B if you did not sign up when you were first eligible.
So, Let’s Summarize:
Are You Automatically Enrolled in Medicare Part A when you turn 65?
Sort of. Medicare enrollment begins during the IEP – that is, three months before your 65th birthday – and continues for 7 months, so you have to start the process around this time. If you are currently receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll receive it automatically.
Is Medicare Part A Mandatory?
Because those who receive Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare, it’s not really optional. What you can do, however, is change the insurance plan to the one you prefer the most, provided you meet the specific requirements for it.
Bottom Line
You should now know the answer to “how do I sign up for Medicare Part A?” You can do it through Social Security, if you don’t get automatically enrolled through your social benefits. You can also sign up for Medicare online. Don’t worry: having Medicare and working part time are not two conflicting things. Even if you decide to partake new adventures during your retirement, rest assured that your Medicare Part A will accompany you to each of them.