Turning 65? Call us to learn more about a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan.
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If your 65th birthday is approaching, it’s the perfect time to get to know your Medicare Advantage coverage options.
Turning 65 is a big moment. It's a reason for celebration. It also means it's time to learn about your Medicare options. And you have a specific time frame around your 65th birthday to enroll. Original Medicare is health coverage you've earned. And it covers about 80% of basic medical costs.
Original Medicare has no limit on out-of-pocket costs, so if you have a lot of medical costs in a year it can get expensive fast. But you have options. A Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan can include a lot of the benefits you don't get from Original Medicare, and you could also get an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs.
If you’re turning 65, when are you eligible to enroll?
When you first become eligible for Medicare benefits it’s called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP starts three months before your 65th birthday month and lasts for three months after your 65th birthday month. For example, if you turn 65 on May 18, your IEP starts Feb. 1 and ends Aug. 31.
Before Birthday Month
There are advantages to enrolling early. If you apply for Medicare in the three months before your birthday month, your coverage will begin on the first day of your birthday month. In this example, if you apply in March, your coverage will begin May 1 - an early birthday present!
During Birthday Month
If you choose to apply during your birthday month, your coverage won’t start until the following month - here, your coverage would begin on Jun. 1.
After Birthday Month
If you apply for Medicare after your birthday month, your coverage will be delayed up to three months. In this example, if you apply in June, July or August, your coverage may not begin until Dec 1. It is important to note that you may pay a penalty or have a gap in coverage if you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible.
