Medicare Frequently Asked Questions

Your first Medicare enrollment window is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts 7 months: it starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after that month.

If you plan to retire, review your Medicare timing before your employer coverage ends. Enrolling at the right time can help you avoid a gap in coverage or late-enrollment penalties.

Medicare does not offer spousal or dependent coverage. Medicare is individual coverage, which means each person enrolls separately.

If your spouse is also eligible for Medicare, usually at age 65, they can enroll in their own Medicare coverage beginning 3 months before the month they turn 65.

Yes, in many cases you can keep your employer coverage. However, whether you should enroll in Medicare at the same time depends on the type of employer coverage you have and whether it is based on current employment.

Before delaying Medicare, especially Part B or prescription drug coverage, it is a good idea to confirm with your employer benefits administrator how your current coverage works with Medicare.

Most people enroll in both Part “A” and Part “B” when Medicare becomes their primary health coverage.

Part “A” is typically premium-free for most people who have met the work-related eligibility requirements. Part “B” usually has a monthly premium. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits before age 65, you may be enrolled automatically. If you have not filed to receive Social Security benefits, you may need to proactively enroll in Medicare.

Yes, you can use Original Medicare, Parts A and B, as your health insurance at retirement.

However, Original Medicare does not include most prescription drug coverage, and there may be out-of-pocket costs due to gaps in coverage. Many people choose to add prescription drug coverage and/or supplemental coverage to help reduce those gaps.

In many cases, yes. It is important to make sure your doctors accept Medicare, as some providers may not.

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you should also confirm that your doctors, hospitals, and specialists are included in that plan’s network before enrolling.

Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days if specific requirements are met. These requirements may include a qualifying hospital stay and a need for skilled care.

Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial nursing home care, such as ongoing help with daily living activities.

Original Medicare does not cover most routine dental care.

However, some Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage. Benefits can vary by plan, so it is important to review covered services, provider networks, and any annual limits.

Not necessarily. A retiree plan will typically work around Medicare primary benefits, meaning Medicare may pay first and the retiree plan may help with certain remaining costs.

Retiree benefits vary by employer or union plan, so it is important to confirm whether you need Medicare Part “A” and Part “B” to keep your retiree coverage working properly.

Part “D” is Medicare prescription drug coverage. It was introduced in 2006 and is offered through Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Part “D” can be purchased as a standalone prescription drug plan, or it may be included in certain Medicare Advantage plans.

If you miss your designated Medicare enrollment window, you may have a gap in coverage and could face a penalty from Medicare.

A Part “B” penalty can be 10% of your Part “B” premium for each full 12-month period you were eligible for Part “B” but did not enroll. A Part “D” penalty may also apply if you go 63 days or more without Medicare prescription drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage after becoming eligible.

Part “C” is another name for Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Some Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage and may be referred to as MA-PD plans. An MSA is one type of Medicare Advantage plan.

You can sign up for Medicare online at SSA.gov, by phone through Social Security, or in person at a local Social Security office.

After enrolling in Medicare, you can review Medicare Advantage, prescription drug, and supplemental coverage options available in your area.

No. Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans are not designed to work together.

Medicare Supplement plans work with Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits. In most cases, you would choose one path or the other.