Even if you have insurance coverage through current employment, you may still need to make some important Medicare enrollment decisions about Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) when you are turning 65. It’s important to understand how your current coverage works with Medicare before making any enrollment decisions.
If your workplace offers credible coverage, you may be able to delay Medicare enrollment. Some workplaces require you to enroll in Medicare once it is available to you. Contact your HR department to ask about their policies a few months before you turn 65 to be sure you have the information you need.
If you delay enrollment in Medicare insurance because you are still working at age 65 and you aren’t getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement income benefits, you should be aware of how that decision can impact your enrollment and timing for Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), and Medicare Advantage (Part C).
The Medicare website at Medicare.gov, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website at CMS.gov each offer great information. Medicare.gov is easy to navigate and has a search box to help you find specific topics.
The CMS.gov National Training Program offers self-paced online training courses on Medicare topics. You can find these courses online at cmsnationaltraingprogram.cms.gov.
CMS also has info and training modules about Medicaid, Marketplace, and the children’s CHIP insurance programs. NOTE: Consult MiBridges.gov for Michigan-specific Medicaid assets and income limits.
I strongly encourage you to become an empowered and educated consumer, by exploring the available online resources and tools which explain your health insurance options.
Contact MMAP at 800-803-7174 for local personalized assistance with your Medicare questions.
