How to Apply for Medicare: Plans and Coverage

As individuals near retirement age, it becomes essential that they know how to apply for Medicare coverage. In some cases, no action is necessary; for instance, those who are already receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled on the first day of the month in which they reach their 65th birthday. For those whose birthdays fall on the first day of the month, coverage begins one month earlier. In most cases, individuals who are not automatically enrolled in Medicare coverage should contact their local Medicare office at least three months before their 65th birthday in order to ensure that coverage begins promptly as expected.

An important element in understanding how to apply for Medicare coverage is in-depth knowledge of what each of the plans available provide for their members. Most individuals do not have to make premium payments for Medicare Part A insurance, which covers a portion of the cost of hospital stays, hospice care, and skilled nursing services and facilities. At the time of initial enrollment or during a General or Special Enrollment Period, Medicare Part A participants can also elect to enroll in Part B or Part D coverage. Part B coverage is intended to provide benefits for preventive and routine care including regular doctor’s visits and testing, while Part D provides prescription drug benefits to defray the costs of necessary medications.

Medicare participants can also choose to enroll in one of the Part C plans offered by approved companies that incorporate Part A and Part B and sometimes Part D coverage into one plan. While the premiums for Part C plans vary widely depending on the provider, the coverage provided is usually the same. Some approved providers offer extensive networks from which their members can select a physician for their primary health care needs. Medicare benefits occasionally increase due to cost of living adjustments; premiums for Part B and Part D Medicare plans also increase from time to time due to increased costs of administration and health care. By selecting the right combination of plans, Medicare recipients can ensure that their health care needs will be met without undue out-of-pocket expense.