Medicare Part A is the standard Medicare plan that helps pay for hospital expenses. Medicare Part B pays for physicians' services and certain other medical expenses. Although people receiving Social Security retirement benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B, if you are not yet retired, you must apply to the Social Security Administration during certain application periods to receive coverage. Most people are not eligible for Part B before age 65 whether or not they are working, and unlike Part A, Part B is not free. Monthly premiums are required.
Instructions
1. Determine your eligibility for Medicare Part A (not Part B). If you are age 65 or older and eligible to receive Social Security benefits, or if you are under age 65 and have been eligible to receive Social Security benefits for at least 2 years, you should be eligible for Medicare Part A. If you are under 65 but disabled or a victim of certain diseases such as kidney failure or Lou Gehrig's Disease, you are most likely eligible.
2. Check to see if your initial enrollment period has expired. This is a 6-month window for Medicare Part B enrollment that begins the moment you are eligible for Medicare Part A. If your initial enrollment period has not yet expired, begin the application process on the Social Security Administration website.
3. If you missed the initial enrollment period, determine when the next general enrollment period will occur. The general enrollment period occurs during the first 3 months of the year, although coverage is delayed until July 1. Your Medicare Part B premiums go up 10% each year you delay enrolling in Part B after your initial enrollment period.
4. Calculate your monthly Medicare Part B premium. The basic monthly premium in 2009 was $96.40, but there are additional penalties for late enrollment and higher rates for those earning more than $170,000 per year.
5. Apply for Medicare Part B online and complete the questionnaire. You will be notified of certain documents that you must provide.
6. Gather together your birth certificate or naturalization documents, your Social Security card, your W-2 or 1099 forms and any other documents requested during your online application. Bring them to your local Social Security office to complete the application process.
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