Who Needs to Enroll in Medicare Part B?

If you're turning 65, don't assume Medicare is going to take care of everything automatically. Let's break it down.

If You're Already Receiving Social Security Benefits

If you're already receiving Social Security retirement benefits before you turn 65, Medicare will automatically enroll you in Part A and Part B when you become eligible at 65. You don't need to complete a separate Medicare application just to get Part B. You'll receive information from Medicare before your coverage begins, including your Medicare card.

But don't stop there. Being automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B doesn't mean all of your Medicare decisions are finished. Once you have Medicare, there are other coverage decisions you'll need to make. We'll deal with those later. 😉

If You're Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

If you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you become eligible for Medicare Part B after you have received disability benefits for 24 months. At that point, you will automatically be enrolled. People with ALS may qualify for Medicare sooner.

Turning 65 but Have Coverage Through Your Employer?

If you're still working and have health insurance and prescription drug coverage through your employer, don't automatically assume you should keep that coverage and skip Medicare. Having employer insurance does NOT automatically mean keeping it is your best financial choice.

Before you decide, take some time to understand what you're paying now and what your employer plan covers. Look at:

• What you pay each month for your employer health insurance

• Your deductible

• Your copays and coinsurance

• Your maximum out-of-pocket costs

• What your health plan covers

• What you're paying for prescription drug coverage

• What your prescriptions cost

• Which doctors and hospitals you can use

You may find that your employer plan will be the better choice. Other times, you may find that Medicare gives you better coverage or lower overall costs. You won't know until you compare the two.

And there's another important thing to understand: whether you can delay Part B without a late-enrollment penalty depends on the type of employer coverage you have and your particular situation. Don't assume that simply having insurance through work means you can automatically wait.

When Do You Need to Enroll?

If you're turning 65 and need to enroll in Part B, your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months—it starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after your birthday month.

If you're still working and have qualifying employer group coverage, you may be able to enroll later through a Special Enrollment Period. You can usually enroll while you're still covered by that employer plan or during the 8 months after the employment or coverage ends, whichever comes first. That's why it's important to understand your situation before you decide whether to enroll in Part B or wait.

How Do You Enroll in Medicare Part B?

Yes, believe it or not, enrolling in Medicare Part B is done through the Social Security Administration—not Medicare.gov. You can start at SSA.gov. If you're not already receiving Social Security and need to enroll yourself, you can apply online through Social Security.

And this is where things can get a little frustrating.

Applying for Part B Online

Before you can complete the online enrollment, you'll need access to a my Social Security account. If you already have an account, great—you can sign in. If you don't, you'll need to create one. SSA now uses Login.gov or ID.me to provide the secure sign-in and identity verification.

Don't let that scare you. We're going to walk through it.

Setting Up Your my Social Security Account

When you choose Login.gov or ID.me, you're going to have to prove that you are actually you. You'll need a government-issued photo ID, such as your driver's license or state ID. You'll be asked to take pictures of your identification. Take a clear picture and make sure the entire card is visible and the information can be read. Try to avoid glare and shadows.

Depending on the verification process you're using, you'll also be asked to take a close-up picture of your face—a selfie. Yes, a selfie. 😊 Follow the instructions on the screen and make sure your entire face is visible. Good lighting will make this easier.

The system uses your identification and your photo to verify that you are who you say you are. Once your identity has been verified, you'll be connected back to your my Social Security account. Now you're ready to move on to the Medicare Part B application.

And don't worry if the process feels like it's taking you all over the place. You're not doing anything wrong. This is just the way Social Security's online identity verification process works.

Now That the Hard Part Is Over, Let's Apply for Medicare Part B

Once you're inside your my Social Security account, you can begin the Medicare enrollment process. Follow the Medicare enrollment instructions on the screen and select that you want to apply for Part B.

Have your Social Security information handy and take your time answering the questions. If Social Security asks about current or previous group health coverage, answer those questions carefully. Your current employment and health coverage can affect when you should enroll in Part B, so don't just rush through those questions.

When you've completed the application, review your answers before submitting it. Then submit the application. Keep a record of your submission and any confirmation information you receive.

You Can Also Call Social Security

If you would rather enroll by phone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for help enrolling in Medicare Part B. Social Security encourages people to use its online services, so you may hear that applying online is the preferred or easiest way to enroll.

And here's something I've learned from helping people: You may be told by a Social Security representative that they can't enroll you in Part B over the phone. Don't automatically assume that means it can't be done. Social Security has procedures for handling Part B enrollment by telephone, and you may reach a representative who can help you complete the enrollment over the phone.

Social Security: 1-800-772-1213

How Will You Pay for Your Part B Premium?

During the enrollment process, Social Security will ask you how you want to pay for your Part B premium. You'll have options such as having it deducted from your Social Security benefit or Railroad Retirement benefit, or having Medicare bill you directly. If you're still working and aren't receiving Social Security yet, you can choose to be billed directly.

And here's something that surprises a lot of people: Don't panic if your first bill covers three months. Medicare commonly bills people who pay directly three months at a time. But if paying three months all at once isn't convenient, you can go online and make a payment for one month at a time. Of course, you can pay the entire three-month bill if you'd rather, but many people prefer to pay monthly.

So when that first three-month bill arrives, don't think, “Oh my gosh, I have to pay all of this every month!” 😂 You don't. That's simply how the billing is set up. Think of it as cutting down on all that paper and postage.

You Submitted Your Application. Now What?

Once you've completed your application, save your confirmation information. Don't just close the screen and forget about it. Social Security will process your application and send you information about your Medicare enrollment. Your Medicare card will show your Medicare number and the date your Part A and Part B coverage begin.

If your Medicare card is delayed in the mail, don't panic. You can go back into your my Social Security account to check your Medicare information, or you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Once you have your Medicare number and effective date, you're ready for the next step.

Now Comes the Fun Part!

You've made it through the Social Security enrollment process! Now it's time to look at your Medicare coverage options.

I'm Lissa Ruffin, and I help people understand and compare their Medicare options. Once your Part A and Part B are in place, we can look at your Part C and Part D (private Medicare plan options) and find coverage that fits your needs.

Once you've chosen the plan that fits you best and I've gotten you enrolled, you can breathe a little easier knowing you've taken care of something important.

I proudly serve Medicare clients throughout Texas.

So, let's get started!

Visit my website: www.lissaruffin.com

Call or text Lissa Ruffin at 214-534-4640

I'll explain it until it makes sense.