Frequently Asked Questions
When does Medicare start?
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You are eligible for Medicare at age 65. You are eligible whether you are taking Social Security benefits or not. If you have certain disabilities, you may be eligible for Medicare before your turn 65
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How do I sign up for Medicare?
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Visit the Social Security website and complete the online application.
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Do I have to sign up for Medicare when I turn 65?
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If you have other creditable coverage, you do not need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. If you do not have creditable coverage, there may be penalties for late enrollment.
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When can I change plans?
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Depending on what type of plan you have (Supplement or Advantage) there are different restrictions on when you can make plan changes. With Medicare Supplement plans, you may have the availability to change plans at any time during the year. Note that making plan changes may result in having to go through medical underwriting. With Medicare Advantage plans, you are limited to making plan changes during the open enrollment period which runs from October 15th through December 7th of each year. Outside of the open enrollment period, you can only make changes if you qualify for a SEP (special election period). An example of qualifying for a SEP would be moving to a new address in which different plans are available.
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