Signing up for Medicare can feel overwhelming. In this step-by-step guide on how to sign up for Medicare, we take out the guesswork and walk you through the process for enrolling in Medicare in Washington.
In this article you will find:
The Social Security Administration will verify your eligibility for Medicare benefits and determine if you qualify for premium-free Part A.
If you do not qualify for premium-free Part A, then you can elect to buy Part A coverage but you must also have Part B coverage.
After you apply for Medicare Part A, you will receive your Medicare Number. Then you can sign up for a myMedicare.gov account where you can manage your coverage and buy additional benefits.
Typically, a person will sign up for Medicare Part B when they sign up for Part A. During the Part A sign-up process, you are prompted to choose whether or not you want to enroll in Part B as well.
If you elected to not sign up during your initial enrollment, you can follow any of these steps to apply for Part B:
Once you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you will pay a monthly premium.
If you are signing up for Medicare Part B after your Initial Enrollment Period you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty of 10% for each full 12-month period you didn’t have Part B but were eligible to sign up.
Floridians can save themselves a trip to the local Social Security office by applying for Medicare online. You can use any computer to get started.
When you apply online you can begin the Medicare application, stop and save it, and come back to complete your Medicare enrollment at any time.
Important: Make sure you are using a secure, personal device to complete the application.
After you complete your online application for Medicare, you will see a receipt that you can print and keep in your records. You’ll also receive an application number. This number enables you to check on the status of your application.
Once you’ve signed up for Medicare Part A and Part B, you can choose to enroll in additional coverage. Parts A and B cover most inpatient, outpatient, and preventive care, but many beneficiaries find they need additional coverage such as prescription drug coverage, dental coverage, or vision coverage.
Medicare Part D plans are offered by private regional Washington health insurers and national insurers who are approved by Medicare. These plans help cover your prescription drug costs.
Medicare Advantage plans often combine Part A and Part B with prescription drug coverage (known as MAPD plans) and other types of coverage (such as dental, vision, and hearing) to offer a more comprehensive all-in-one plan. These plans are also offered by private health insurance companies.
Medigap, or Medicare Supplement, plans help cover expenses not covered by traditional Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
A licensed Washington Medicare advisor can help you compare plans and enroll in the one that is best for your needs. Complete the form below to get help comparing plans or to receive assistance with any Medicare question.