Timing is of great importance to make the transition smooth. Our goal is to sit down with a client going through this transition about 2-3 months prior to their Medicare starting. We then get all of the plans lined up and ready to go before helping to remind you to make the cancellations through the marketplace. If you are currently enrolled in a BeWellnm marketplace plan and receiving monthly premium tax credits, be aware that you will no longer qualify for those credits when you turn 65 and are eligible for Medicare. If you have a Marketplace plan now, you can keep it until your Medicare coverage starts. Then, you can cancel the Marketplace plan without penalty. We keep it smooth, easy, and seamless. Here are some helpful hints you will want to keep in mind:
When to apply for Medicare
Once you are eligible for Medicare (at Age 65 or through disability), you’ll have a 7- month Initial Enrollment Period to get your Medicare Part A and B, as well as pick any additional plans like Supplements or Advantage plans. This 7-month initial enrollment period begins 3 months before the month you were born, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday. For many, Medicare is automatic for those collecting social security retirement benefits. For those who ARE NOT COLLECTING social security, there is a process for applying. In most cases, it’s to your advantage to sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible because once your Medicare Part A coverage starts, you won’t be able to keep any premium tax credits or other savings for a Marketplace plan based on your income. You’ll have to pay full price for the Marketplace plan. If you enroll in Medicare after your initial enrollment period ends, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. We want to avoid gaps in your coverage at all costs. You also cannot supplement Medicare with a Marketplace plan. It’s against the law for someone who knows that you have Medicare to sell you a Marketplace policy. This is true even if you have only Medicare Part A or only Part B.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When you end coverage for just some people on your application, their premium tax credit or other savings may change. You may need to update your household income after ending coverage for one or more people.
We hope this information has been helpful and please remember that every person may have unique circumstances so the best way to ensure a smooth transition is to work with a local agent who can walk you through the bumpy road to ensure proper coverage.
Timing is of great importance to make the transition smooth. Our goal is to sit down with a client going through this transition about 2-3 months prior to their Medicare starting. We then get all of the plans lined up and ready to go before helping to remind you to make the cancellations through the […]
If you’re one of the 44 million people on Medicare you may be short changing yourself by thinking that Original Medicare alone will take care of all of your medical needs for your remaining years. Only one in ten beneficiaries relies solely on the Medicare program for health care coverage according to AARP and for […]
