Signing up for Medicare and utilizing benefits can seem daunting at first. In this article, we break down how to get started with Medicare into 4 steps. The title of each step is a link to the official Medicare website where you can find more detailed information and instructions.
Medicare is health insurance for people aged 65 and older. Eligibility to sign up for Medicare begins 3 months before turning age 65. There are 4 parts to Medicare. Check out the below visual to learn about each part.
The first thing to do when signing up is find out when and how to sign up, as well as when coverage starts. You will first sign up for Parts A and B. You can sign up 3 ways:
The next step is to review options for more coverage, when and how to get it, and browse plans. See below for a visual of what standard Medicare does and does not cover. Keep in mind that additional benefits can be added with a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement.
The final step is to make the most of your benefits. When you’re ready, find out how to get services by learning tips at the linked Medicare website.
