5 Steps to Enrolling in Medicare

If you are turning 65 soon, it’s time to enroll in Medicare. PSECU has contracted with MedicareCU¹ to refer PSECU members to MedicareCU for Medicare enrollment assistance. Medicare Insurance Brokers are here to help you enroll with five easy steps.

Step 1: Call MedicareCU to help you with Medicare plans.

The only step you’ll need to take on your own is to call a Medicare Insurance Broker who helps PSECU members with Medicare plans. The Medicare Insurance Broker will help you better understand the options you have based on your specific needs. They will also coach you through signing up for Medicare, so you are covered correctly. Medicare can be very confusing and now you have a trusted source of information and help.

Step 2: Knowing When You Can Enroll

Your Initial Enrollment Period  is your first chance to sign up for Medicare. It begins three months before you turn 65, includes your 65^th birthday month, and lasts three more months after your birthday month. So, you have a total of seven months to enroll in Medicare. MedicareCU recommends enrolling during the first three months of your IEP as coverage may be delayed if you enroll during your birthday month or later.

Step 3: Learn About Original Medicare

Original Medicare, provided by the federal government, is made up of Parts A and B:

• Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient care in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility. Most people get Part A without having to pay a monthly premium. People who do pay a premium may pay up to $501 per month in 2024.

• Medicare Part B helps cover outpatient care like doctor visits and preventive screenings. Your Part B premium is based on when you enrolled in Medicare and on your income. The amount ranges from $174.70 up to $594.00 per month in 2024. Other out-of-pocket costs with Original Medicare may include deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance.

Step 4: Learn About Private Medicare Plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare contracts with private insurance companies to offer more coverage choices to beneficiaries.

• Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare. Plans must provide the same coverage as Parts A and B. Many plans also offer additional benefits, like coverage for prescription drugs and dental, hearing, and vision care, all in one plan.

• Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription drugs. This coverage is not included with Original Medicare. You can add drug coverage through a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, or you may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage included.

You may have many private Medicare plans to choose from, depending on where you live. Coverage, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs may differ from plan to plan. It’s important to shop around if you want coverage beyond what Original Medicare provides.

• Medicare supplement insurance plans (Medigap) help cover some out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t pay. Plan availability may vary from state to state. You must be enrolled in both Part A and Part B before you can join a private Medicare plan or a Medicare supplement insurance plan.

Step 5: Decide and Enroll

You’ll be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) if you are getting Social Security benefits when you turn 65. You’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail several months before your birthday. Otherwise, you may enroll yourself at your local Social Security office or at Medicare.gov. Certain late enrollment penalties may apply if you miss or delay enrolling during your IEP.

You might consider enrolling in just Part B if you are working past age 65 and have employer coverage. Your employer plan must meet certain requirements to be “creditable.” Talk with your benefits manager about how your employer plan might work with Medicare.

You also have other choices if you enroll in both Part A and Part B. You can:

• Add a Part D prescription drug plan to Original Medicare
• Add a Medicare supplement insurance plan to Original Medicare
• Join a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)

Enrolling in Medicare is a big change in your life, and you may feel overwhelmed with information and choices. Remember, your MedicareCU Insurance Broker who helps with Medicare plans can help you navigate your plan options and get you the right plan!

PSECU is pleased to offer MedicareCU as another benefit of credit union membership. It’s another way that we help our members achieve more.

To get started on your Medicare journey, contact MedicareCU (contact info below) for more information and to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Trevor Snell - Independent Insurance Broker²

With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in Medicare, I am committed to being your lifelong resource. Let’s connect and work together to find the best Medicare solutions for your needs.

trevor@medicarecu.com

717.694.5677 call or text³

Click here to schedule your appointment

¹Not all products and coverages are available in every state. Restrictions, exclusion, limits, and conditions may apply. Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) has contracted with MedicareCU to offer Medicare education, enrollment assistance services, and insurance to PSECU members. PSECU does not warrant, guarantee, or insure any service or product offered by MedicareCU or its independent insurance agents/brokers. Insurance products are offered by MedicareCU and/or its independent insurance agents/brokers, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of PSECU. MedicareCU and its services are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency including, but not limited to, Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The policies offered by MedicareCU are not endorsed by the U.S. Government of the Federal Medicare program. Renewal premiums may increase periodically depending upon your age. PSECU members may also enroll in the plan through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at http://www.medicare.gov. There is no additional cost or obligation to move forward after the initial consultation with MedicareCU. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. For a complete listing of plans in your area please contact 1.800.MEDICARE or consult www.medicare.gov (TTY users should call 1.877.486.2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.

²By contacting the MedicareCU team, you will be scheduled to speak with a licensed insurance agent for Medicare assistance. This service is not affiliated with any government agency. You will not be charged for this information, no cost no obligation, Not affiliated with any government agency. Information provided by PSECU in partnership with MedicareCU. By calling this number, you may be contacted by a licensed insurance agent to discuss Medicare products.

³By texting this number, you are providing express consent to receive marketing communications via automated telephone dialing systems, artificial or pre-recorded voices, emails, live phone calls, pre-recorded calls, postal mail, text messages via SMS or MMS, and other forms of communication regarding offers of Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, Part D or other products from the agent/Company and/or one or more of its marketing partners to the number(s) and/or email you provide, including a mobile phone, even if you are on a state or federal Do Not Call and/or Do Not Email registry. The list of marketing partners may change. You understand that your consent to receive communications is not a condition of purchase and you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting the agent/Company.