Turning 65: What to Consider When Selecting a Medicare Plan
Approaching age 65 can be an overwhelming time for many newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries. When can you begin to enroll? Which plans should you consider? What do you need to know?Here’s some information that can help.You have a seven-month window called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to sign up for Medicare benefits, which begins three months prior to the month you’ll turn 65. You are first eligible to receive Medicare coverage at the start of your birthday month. If your current benefits end once you turn 65, it’s important to begin researching and comparing your Medicare options early to make sure there’s no gap in your coverage.There are several different types of Medicare plans available:* Medicare Part A (hospital) and Medicare Part B (medical)o Administered by the federal government, Original Medicare includes Parts A and B that provide hospital and medical coverage. For most people, Part A is free, so it’s important to evaluate your options as soon as you become eligib