Before Your 65th Birthday
During this time, you can identify resources, get answers to important questions, and do some research to understand your options.
Familiarize yourself with Medicare. Resources include:
The Medicare and You booklet from medicare.gov. This has extensive information about how original Medicare works.
The Medicare Rights Center hotline (1-800-333-4114).
Your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP).
Take time to learn about the four types of Medicare — Part A (hospitalization), Part B (medical), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drugs) — as well as Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). This level of understanding will help you select the plan or plans that meet your specific needs.
Confirm which of your preferred physicians accept Medicare. This information will help you determine which coverage may meet your needs in the future.
Visit the Social Security website (ssa.gov). Get information about Social Security and tips for applying for Medicare Parts A and B.
If you’re on Social Security (which you can begin at age 62), then you should be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B when you turn 65. Of course, if you think you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare, it doesn’t hurt to double-check that well in advance of your initial enrollment period.
If you have questions, please call Via Benefits at 1-833-939-1209 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time.