Turning 65 This Year? - Timely Filing for Medicare Saves Money for Retirement
There are more than 200,000 Floridians turning 65 in 2011! More than 2.77 million turning 65 throughout the U.S. That's 7,596 people who will be eligible to apply for Medicare benefits every day in 2011. Applying for Medicare benefits late can cost you thousands of dollars in extra premiums and out-of-pocket costs over your remaining lifetime.
The enrollment period for first-time Medicare enrollees is seven months long. Those seven months encompass the three months before the month of your 65th birthday and the three monts after that month. Haste in this case, does not make waste. If you apply for Medicare during the three months prior to your 65th birthday, Medicare coverage will start at the beginning of the month you turn 65. If you apply during your birth month, coverage will start on the first day after your birthday month. If you wait until after your birthday month, it will take several months for you to be covered.
Medicare provides a multitude of options that far exceed the typical group medical insurance plan. It is not a one-size-fits-all program. You will want to make a list of your prescription drugs, determine which plans your preferred doctors and hospitals take, and determine how much you can afford to pay for healthcare, including premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. You can find a discussion of the basic parts of Medicare at our website.
You can obtain one on one counseling to help you make informed decisions about your Medicare choices through SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) (website is below).
You can get more information about Medicare at these websites:
www.medicare.gov - In addition to a wealth of information, you can also compare and sign up for Medicare plans. Telephone: 1-800-MEDICARE.
www.medicarerights.org - This site has an interative feature to guid you through your choices. Telephone: 1-800-333-4114.
www.FloridaSHINE.org - Elder Helpline: 1-800-96 ELDER.
The enrollment period for first-time Medicare enrollees is seven months long. Those seven months encompass the three months before the month of your 65th birthday and the three monts after that month. Haste in this case, does not make waste. If you apply for Medicare during the three months prior to your 65th birthday, Medicare coverage will start at the beginning of the month you turn 65. If you apply during your birth month, coverage will start on the first day after your birthday month. If you wait until after your birthday month, it will take several months for you to be covered.
Medicare provides a multitude of options that far exceed the typical group medical insurance plan. It is not a one-size-fits-all program. You will want to make a list of your prescription drugs, determine which plans your preferred doctors and hospitals take, and determine how much you can afford to pay for healthcare, including premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. You can find a discussion of the basic parts of Medicare at our website.
You can obtain one on one counseling to help you make informed decisions about your Medicare choices through SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) (website is below).
You can get more information about Medicare at these websites:
www.medicare.gov - In addition to a wealth of information, you can also compare and sign up for Medicare plans. Telephone: 1-800-MEDICARE.
www.medicarerights.org - This site has an interative feature to guid you through your choices. Telephone: 1-800-333-4114.
www.FloridaSHINE.org - Elder Helpline: 1-800-96 ELDER.
Posted by Randy Coleman at 1/10/2011 9:41 AM 
Categories: Medicare, Elder Care, Retirement Planning
Tags: elder care estate planning Jacksonville elder law attorney Medicare
Categories: Medicare, Elder Care, Retirement Planning
Tags: elder care estate planning Jacksonville elder law attorney Medicare
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