Four Details to Take Care of Before Enrolling in Medicare.

1. Know Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your first window to sign up is a 7-month period that includes:

3 months before your 65th birthday month.

The month you turn 65 and the

3 months after your 65th birthday month.

2. If you (or your spouse) are still working and have health insurance through an employer with 20 or more employees, you might be able to delay Part B without penalty.  However, if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you must stop contributing at least 6 months before you apply for Social Security or Medicare to avoid tax penalties.

3. If you are on COBRA, beware, having COBRA does not count as "creditable coverage" for delaying Medicare. You must sign up for Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid late penalties.

4. IEP is one of the few occurrences when you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan with Guaranteed Issue, that means no medical underwriting.

Delaying signing up for Part B can mean being financially penalized

Call Ritchie and have all your questions on Medicare enrollment answered.

(805) 669 -8382

Ritchie@RitchieThe MediMan.com

CA LiC # 0F84966