General Medicare Questions

If you are turning 65, you probably have a lot of questions about Medicare as information begins to arrive at your home and in your e-mail inbox.

If you search the internet, there is so much information that you can easily get confused or misunderstand some information. Therefore, on this occasion we bring you some questions for those people who are entering Medicare.

The first question is:

Is Medicare free?

Because some people actually think that Medicare covers everything and is absolutely free, but it is not. Medicare has two parts: Part A, which covers hospital services, and this part is free for those people (or their spouses) who accumulated 40 credits and contributed to Social Security when they worked. With those contributions you were practically paying for this part of Medicaid. On the other hand, there is Part B, which covers all medical services and all people must pay a monthly premium; even those with higher incomes may be hit with a higher premium. Therefore, Medicare is not free.

When can a person enroll in Medicare?

When a person turns 65, they have a 7-month window to enroll: the month of their birthday, three (3) months before their birthday and three (3) months after their birthday. This is called the Initial Enrollment Period. Ideally, you should enroll early so that there is no delay and you are covered from the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday is the first of the month, your coverage begins on the first day of the previous month. For example, if your birthday is May 1, your Medicare will actually be effective April 1. There are several ways to enroll: 1) by phone at 211 or to the number 1-800-772-1213which is the Social Security office number, 2) by requesting an appointment at the office in person, and 3) the quickest and easiest way to do this is through the web page by going to www.ssa.govwhich is the initials of the Social Security Administration.

One of the important things, if you (or your spouse) have already met the 40-credit part, which is at least ten years of paying taxes and are receiving Social Security benefits, Medicare will automatically enroll you three months before your birthday. In this case, you should do nothing. If you have met the credits, but are not receiving Social Security benefits, it is very important that you enroll manually, as mentioned above: by phone, by appointment, or online.

Who can enroll in Medicare?

U.S. citizens and legal residents who have been in the country for at least five years.

What does Medicare cover?

Original Medicare, which is Part A and Part B, covers a total of 80% of medical and hospital services, leaving the individual with a gap of 20%, which has no limits.

Once you are enrolled in Medicare and receive your blue, white and red card and it says that you have Part B coverage, you may qualify for one of the Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans, as these plans will help you control and cover your costs.

There are people who lived and have their work history in Puerto Rico, but now they have been in the United States for a certain period of time. It is very important that they make the change of residence because when they send the enrollment to Medicare, they are not going to approve it because they do not have the change of residence. So, it is important to make the change of residence with Social Security in order to be able to apply for Medicare Advantage and Supplemental plans.

If you have other questions and would like guidance, please contact us at 855-GO-AVILAwhich is 855-462-8452 and we will be glad to help you.

We provide free counseling and are here to serve the Hispanic population with the entire enrollment and plan review process to ensure they have the ideal plan and can take advantage of greater savings and benefits.