Hello Toni:
I am turning 65 in December and have not started receiving my Social Security check. I am still working full time but do not have company benefits. I’m confused because I do not have Social Security and not sure how to get my Medicare. Do I call Medicare or what to enroll? Do I have to be receiving my Social Security check to get Medicare? Can you please explain what I should do? Thanks, John from Bellaire
Hi there, John:
Enrolling in Medicare can be very confusing! Most people think that when they turn 65, a magical switch is turned on and poof you are on Medicare! Medicare changed the rules during the Clinton administration, when Social Security extended the time for receiving 100% of your social security benefits.
To receive your Medicare card on time depends on whether you are receiving your social security check. Receiving your social security check is your ticket to Medicare. It starts the process for you to receive your Medicare benefits and your Medicare card.
Social Security does all of the paperwork for Medicare and now with healthcare reform Social Security has changed how they want you to enroll. Social Security wants you to enroll in Medicare online at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly. The wait is over 3 hours at local Social Security offices so doing this online saves you a lot of time and frustration.
Our new Toni Says office can help with enrolling in Medicare. Email Toni to schedule an appointment to help with your Medicare issues at www.tonisays.com/ask-toni or call 832/519-TONI (8664).
How to receive your Medicare at the right time:
1) Turning 65 and Receiving Your Social Security Check is the easiest way to receive your card. Medicare will send your “Welcome to Medicare” kit 90 days before you turn 65 with your Medicare card in the kit. If you do not receive it, then go to Social Security and find out where your card is! Remember, Social Security processes all of the paperwork for Medicare
2) Turning 65 and NOT Receiving a Social Security Check because you are still working or may not be working, but waiting past 65 to receive 100% of your Social Security. Contact Social Security 90 days before you turn 65. It takes Social Security 90 days to do the paperwork and if you wait until you have turned 65, then you will only have Medicare Part A benefits and no benefits of what “Part B” covers. Social Security takes 90 days to the paperwork for Medicare. Always check with Human Resources if you are delaying “Part B”. Many health insurance carriers are changing their rules regarding “Part B” and may require you to enroll in it.
3) Turning 65 and “still working”– Talk to your Employers Human Resources. Ask if you need to enroll in Part B. If you do not need Part B because you are “still working” or your spouse is “still working” and you maybe on their group plan, then call Social Security to delay “Part B” and let them know that you have creditable coverage with your group plan. You will receive your Medicare card with “Part A Hospital Only”. Your Medicare number should be your Social Security number with a “T”, if you are not receiving your Social Security check. See the 2014Medicare & You handbook about delaying Part B or call Toni and visit with her or anyone on our team that can assist in your Medicare needs.
4) Under 65 and Receiving Social Security Disability will receive their Medicare automatically on their 25th month of receiving their disability check. Make sure that you have applied for both Medicare’s Part A and B.
*Note: If you are a non-working spouse, then your Medicare card will be the Social Security number of the working spouse with a “B”. Also if you have a disabled child who never worked, then their Medicare number will be the Social Security number of one of the parents with a “C” which stands for “child”. I have a disabled sister and she is receiving Medicare benefits from my father and her Medicare card is his Social Security number with a “C1”, even though he has been deceased for 15+ years.
Toni King, author of the new Medicare Survival Guide, which is a simple guide that puts Medicare in “people” terms, is on sale at www.tonisays.com. Toni is an advocate/consultant for those “Confused about Medicare”. Email questions to www.tonisays.com/ask-toni or call 832/519-TONI (8664).
