We Know Medicare and Life Insurance

To be eligible for Original Medicare, you must be an American citizen for at least five years AND one of the following:

• Age 65 or older
• Under age 65 and receiving Social Security Disability Income for 24 months
• Diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

To enroll in Original Medicare, you may be required to reach out to your local Social Security office in some circumstances.

While it is not mandatory, it is recommended to enroll in Medicare Part A coverage as soon as you become eligible if you qualify for premium-free Part A coverage. However, if you delay Medicare Part A, you will be able to enroll later during the General Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify. But, if you dealy enrollment to the General Enrollment period, you will be required to pay late enrollment penalties.

If your employer offers creditable health coverage, you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B if you are working past age 65. Creditable coverage is healthcare coverage that provides at least equal benefits to Original Medicare. If you do not have creditable coverage and you do not enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible, you could be required to pay the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty as long as you are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Keep in mind, even if you have creditable coverage, it is important to compare your current plan to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan and Part D. Often, combining these Medicare plans will provide you with the most comprehensive coverage possible.

If your Medicare card is lost or stolen it is important to report the missing card to Social Security as soon as possible.

To report a lost or stolen card and request a replacement, you can log into (or create) a MyMedicare account through Medicare.gov. From there you can print a temporary replacement card.

To receive a new card in the mail, you will need to contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.

Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement plans are NOT able to drop you based on your health status.

Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Supplement plans are guaranteed renewable as long as you continue to pay the monthly premiums.

Keep in mind, if you want to change plans, there may be restrictions or roadblocks due to health. Medicare Supplement plans can deny your application based on pre-existing conditions. Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans do not review your health history. However, you can only apply during certain times of the year.

Enrolling in Medicare coverage is not mandatory. So, you are not required to have the coverage at any point. However, if you delay Medicare enrollment without creditable coverage, you may be required to pay late enrollment penalties that do not go away. Thus, it is often more cost effective in the long run to enroll in Medicare coverage when you are first eligible.

Enrolling in Medicare coverage is not mandatory. So, you are not required to have the coverage at any point. However, if you delay Medicare enrollment without creditable coverage, you may be required to pay late enrollment penalties that do not go away. Thus, it is often more cost effective in the long run to enroll in Medicare coverage when you are first eligible.