AARP Hearing Center
Key takeaways
- Begin Medicare planning early — Tricia Sandiego recommends starting six months before turning 65.
- Create a My Social Security account to streamline online enrollment and access essential resources.
- Review coverage options and enrollment periods to avoid penalties and choose the best plan for you.
Summary
Enrolling in Medicare doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you understand the essential steps for Medicare enrollment. Tricia Sandiego, a Medicare adviser for AARP, recommends starting early — ideally six months before your 65th birthday — to give yourself plenty of time to review your options and gather important information. Setting up a My Social Security account on ssa.gov is a smart first move, as it allows you to handle much of the process online. If you’re still working, discuss your current health coverage with your benefits manager to decide whether you need to sign up for Medicare right away or can delay parts of your enrollment.
Knowing your Medicare enrollment period is crucial to avoid costly penalties. You have a seven-month window that surrounds your 65th birthday to make your choices, including whether to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B, compare original Medicare with Medicare Advantage, and consider prescription drug coverage or supplemental insurance. It’s also important to explore financial assistance programs if you’re worried about out-of-pocket expenses. With the right preparation, you can simplify Medicare enrollment and make confident choices about your health coverage.
The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
Full Transcript:
[00:00:00] There are a few things you need to know when getting enrolled in Medicare. And
trust me, just making sure you have the right information ready at the right
[00:00:08] time can make it a much smoother process. Hi, I’m Tricia Sandiego. In my work
with AARP, I help navigate the complexities of Medicare.
[00:00:18] Let’s take a look at 5 ways to help you enroll. If you haven’t already, create a My
Social Security account on ssa.gov.
[00:00:28] It’s worth getting this set up for many reasons, one being that you can tackle this
entire process online.
[00:00:34] Once you do that, the first step is to do your homework before you turn 65. I
typically recommend starting the process about 6 months before your
[00:00:43] 65th birthday, so you’re not rushed and you have time to make decisions that are
best for you.
[00:00:49] AARP has some decision guides linked in the description below. If you’re still
working, meet with your benefits manager to
[00:00:56] discuss your health care options. You may not need to sign up right away if your
current health plan is better.
[00:01:02] Another step to take is to know your enrollment period. This is important,
because if you miss this, you could incur a penalty.
[00:01:10] Here’s the easiest way to think about it. If you’re not working, you have a 7-
month enrollment window surrounding
[00:01:16] your 65th birthday that begins 3 months before your birthday month and ends 3
months after.
[00:01:24] So for example, if your birthday is June 15, your enrollment period is March
1 to September 30.
[00:01:32] One thing to note here: If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you’re
automatically enrolled in Medicare.
[00:01:40] If you’re not, you’ll have to take action to enroll. Next, decide whether or not to
sign up for both Medicare Part A,
[00:01:49] that covers common expenses related to hospital stays, and Part B that covers
doctor visits and anything that doesn’t require hospital care.
[00:01:58] Why wouldn’t you sign up for both? It depends. If you or your spouse are still
working and have health insurance
[00:02:05] through an employer, you may not need part B, which requires a premium. Most
people sign up for Part A, because there is no premium and it
[00:02:15] can act as a secondary insurance that might help pay for some things if you’re
hospitalized. It’s time to choose between original
[00:02:22] Medicare or Medicare Advantage. What’s the difference? Think of Medicare
Advantage as choosing the prix fixe restaurant meal where the
[00:02:30] courses are already selected for you. Original Medicare is like going to the buffet,
where you must
[00:02:36] decide for yourself what you want. If you do choose original Medicare, this is
when you may want to add on Part
[00:02:42] D, your prescription drug coverage that has its own additional premium as well
as supplemental Medicare coverage.
[00:02:49] If you choose Medicare Advantage, which is private insurance that must meet
government standards, you’re getting the coverage of original Medicare,
[00:02:58] Part D and supplemental insurance called Medigap all rolled into one.
[00:03:04] But you have limited provider choice. Medicare.gov has resources that can help
you research the different plans, which
[00:03:11] is important, because like other private insurance, they offer different features
and benefits at different levels of cost.
[00:03:18] Another critical step is to decide if you need financial assistance. Medicare is not
free.
[00:03:25] You’ll have out-of-pocket expenses such as premiums and deductibles to
consider. If you need financial assistance, you may be eligible for a Medicare
[00:03:33] Savings Program based on your income. We have great resources compiled on
aarp.org.
[00:03:40] I hope this video will help simplify the process of signing up for Medicare and
give you some useful tips on what you’ll need to enroll.
