A major retirement milestone
Signing up for Medicare is another major retirement milestone. To qualify for Medicare you must be 65 years old or on Social Security Disability for 2 years.
Under Medicare, pre-existing conditions no longer hinder your ability to get insurance. And as long as you continue to pay your premiums (which are usually deducted from your Social Security check), you are guaranteed health coverage that will last for the rest of your life. Unlike other health insurance, Medicare coverage is divided into four parts: A, B, C and D. This allows you to choose which parts you want and avoid duplicating coverage from other insurance.
Download PDFPart A helps pay the costs of a stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, home health care, hospice care, and medicines administered to inpatients.
Part B helps pay bills for physicians and outpatient services such as rehab therapy, lab tests and medical equipment. It also covers doctors’ services in the hospital and most medicines administered in a doctor’s office.
Part C is a different way you can choose to receive your Medicare benefits. It consists of a variety of private health plans, known as Medicare Advantage plans (mainly HMOs and PPOs) that cover Part A, Part B and (often) Part D services in one package.
Part D helps pay the cost of prescription drugs that you use at home, plus insulin supplies and some vaccines. To get this coverage, you must enroll in a private Part D drug plan or in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D drugs.
Medicare covers most services deemed "medically necessary," but it doesn’t cover everything. Except in limited circumstances, it doesn’t cover routine vision, hearing and dental care; nursing home care; or medical services outside the United States.
Exams and checkups
Medicare doesn’t cover routine physical exams. But when you’re new to Medicare, you’re entitled to a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” exam and medical history review within 12 months of enrolling in Part B. Also, Medicare offers annual wellness checkups. Both are free of charge if provided by a doctor who accepts Medicare reimbursement in full.
Early detection
Certain lab tests and screenings used to diagnose diseases early are also free of charge. These include mammograms, pap smears, bone density measurement, and screenings for cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, HIV and diabetes. Although the tests themselves are free, in most cases you still pay the required copay to see the doctor who prescribes them.
Going to the Doctor
Most doctors accept Medicare patients, but some don’t. Be aware that a physician who has opted out of Medicare cannot bill Medicare for treating you, and you will be responsible for the whole cost. It’s also important to find out whether a doctor accepts Medicare “assignment,” which means that he or she has agreed to the Medicare-approved amount as payment in full, or whether the doctor can charge you up to 15 percent above this amount.
Note that the above information applies if you’re in the traditional Medicare program. if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage HMO, you must generally go to doctors who are in the plan’s provider network and service area. Medicare Advantage PPOs also have provider networks but allow you to go out of network for higher copays.
There are many decisions that need to be made when you’re turning 65.
Initial Enrollment Period
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the first time you can sign up for Medicare. You may join Medicare Parts A, B, C and D during this time:
- The 3 months before your 65th birthday,
- The month of your birthday, and
- The 3 months after your birthday.
What Medicare Doesn’t Cover
Typically, Medicare doesn’t cover the following:
- Eyeglass and Eye Care
- Dental Care
- Hearing Aids and Exams
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Acupuncture
- Overseas Services
- Long Term Care
Some Medicare Advantage plans to offer limited benefits for Eye exams and glasses, dental care and hearing tests. You would need to shop around for the plans available in your area.
Have questions about your enrollment?
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