People who are new to Medicare often have a hard time sorting things out in the beginning. There are all these parts and plans with similar letters, which makes it hard to figure out what is what. The massive amount of mail that people new to Medicare receive certainly doesn’t help either! It is not unusual for a local client to bring in a whole bag of Medicare mail that he has received at home and ask for our help to identify which things should be kept or tossed out.new to medicare

Leaving employer coverage to transition to Medicare as your primary insurance can be overwhelming because it’s all new to you. Never fear though; it’s a painless process when you know the proper steps to take. You can find most of the information you need right here on this website.

First you need to know that the only parts of Medicare you will enroll in via the Social Security office is your Original Medicare Parts A & B. All other Parts and supplemental coverage enrollments are done outside of that, through an insurance agent or agency. Also, if you are already taking Social Security, the government will auto-enroll in both parts of Medicare. Otherwise, you must enroll yourself.

Here is an overview of the steps you will take to get the ball rolling:

• Confirm you are eligible for Medicare
• Read about Medicare costs so that you can be prepare for what you will pay
• Apply for Medicare at your local Social Security office or online at their website
• Receive and verify your red, white and blue Medicare ID card. Does it show you are enrolled in both Part A and Part B? You absolutely need Part B if Medicare will be your primary coverage.
• Read about your coverage options: Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplemental insurance coverage
• Learn about Part D and determine which drug plan best suits you
• Get someone on your side by working with an insurance agency like us. Our help is free and we are always available for your questions.
• Review your coverage annually to make sure you are getting the most appropriate insurance at the right price

The New to Medicare steps you will take will likely be different when you are still working. Many people work past age 65 these days, and this means there are decisions to make. Should you keep your employer coverage and enroll in Medicare too so that it coordinates with your other insurance? Or it more cost effective to leave that employer coverage and choose Medicare as primary insurance and add a supplement?

If you are feeling bewildered about Medicare, there is no need to go through this on your own. Our friendly, knowledgeable, no-hassle agents can walk you through this process step by step. We start by teaching you the basics so that you understand your Original Medicare coverage. That’s the key to deciding which kind of supplemental coverage works best for you when you are new to Medicare.