What Exactly Is Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance for adults over the age of 65. You can sign up for Medicare for the first time three months before you turn 65. If you have a handicap, End-Stage Renal Illness (ESRD), or ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), you may be eligible for Medicare sooner.

Did You Work Past Retirement Age?

If you used employer health insurance and are retiring after 65 years old, you will have a Special Election Period (SEP) that lasts 2 months to enroll in a Medicare option.

Here’s how to apply for Medicare

Medicare Part A
(Hospital Insurance)

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.

Medicare Part B
(Medical Insurance)

Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

Medicare Part D
(Prescription Drug Coverage)

Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines).

Managing COBRA and Medicare

You have COBRA coverage and haven’t signed up for Medicare yet.

  • Sign up for Medicare when you reach the age of 65 to avoid coverage gaps and a monthly Part B late enrollment penalty.
  • If you had COBRA before enrolling in Medicare, it will most likely expire after you enroll.

You got COBRA coverage after you signed up for Medicare.

  • COBRA pays after Medicare (unless you have End-Stage Renal Disease).

Avoid “The Trap”

If you have COBRA before signing up for Medicare, your COBRA will probably end once you sign up.

You have 8 months to sign up for Part B without a penalty, whether or not you choose COBRA. If you miss this period, you’ll have to wait until January 1 – March 31 to sign up, and your coverage will start July 1. This may cause a gap in your coverage, and you may have to pay a lifetime Part B late enrollment penalty.

Get More Out Of Medicare

Original Medicare Parts A & B provide only hospital and physician coverage. If you are looking for hearing and vision coverage with no extra cost, consider Medicare Advantage.

Whether you’re shopping around to explore your options or you’re brand new to Medicare, we can help you with plans’ costs and coverage so you can choose your plan with confidence.

happiest medicare customers

How We Help: The Medicare Advantage Option

No Obligation – No Cost To You
Cut through the clutter and get help from licensed insurance agents specializing in Medicare Options. We can help explain your rights, what you are entitled to and help find a plan that fits your needs.

Easy Enrollment Process

Assistance From Licensed Agents Specializing In Medicare Guide You Through The Process

May Include Vision and Dental

Benefits above and beyond Original Medicare

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

Part D Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Advantage Plan

What Are Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare Advantage Plans, often known as “Part C” are provided by Medicare-approved private organizations that must adhere to Medicare requirements. The majority of Medicare Advantage Plans provide Part D medication coverage.

By converting to a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll have coverage for services that Original Medicare does not provide, such as fitness programs (gym memberships or discounts) and some vision, hearing, and dental services (like routine checkups or cleanings).

What Is Medigap Insurance?

Plans (sometimes called “Medigap” insurance) may help pay some of the healthcare costs that Medicare Parts A and B don’t, like coinsurance, copayments or deductibles.

Medigap policies have an open network of national providers.

Start Here: Learn More About Your Medicare Options

Fill out the form below and our Medicare team will reach out to you.

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COBRAinsurance.com Preferred Medicare Advantage Consultants

Group Benefits, Ltd.

Top-rated coverage from the trusted name in Medicare.

You can spend hours conducting your own research into your Medicare options or you can speak to an authorized agent through gbl ltd. Your agent will weigh your options to help determine your coverage.

At no cost to you. Contact us for more information.

Retiring At 65

You’ll sign up for Medicare within 8 months after your workplace insurance stops.

Generally, you’re first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.

  • Your 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B starts when you stop working, even if you choose  COBRA or other coverage that’s not Medicare.
  • If you lose your job-based health coverage before you or your spouse stop working, you have 8 months to sign up.

Getting Medicare The Month After You Retire

If you want Medicare coverage to begin the month after your job-based health insurance expires, you must enroll in Part B the month before you or your spouse expect to retire.

Your coverage will begin the month after the receipt of your completed documents by Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). You’ll need to fill out an additional form proving that you or your spouse had job-based health insurance while working.

Where To Sign Up

To apply for Medicare, contact Social Security. You have the option of enrolling in both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B. (Medical Insurance). Make an application for Social Security benefits (or the Railroad Retirement Board). You will automatically receive Part A once you begin receiving benefits. When you apply for benefits, you’ll be asked if you want Part B.

Contacting Social Security

  • Online (at Social Security) – It’s the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. (You’ll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.)
  • Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.
  • Contact your local Social Security office.
  • If you or your spouse worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.

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