If you are eligible for Medicare but have other coverage, you may wonder if it is even worth it to enroll.

This is a great question to ask, and it is even better to review all your options with a licensed and experienced agent, like the ones with Eldridge Agency. This way, you can figure out if enrolling is the best option for you or if you can delay your enrollment without facing late enrollment penalties.

Who Needs to Sign Up For Medicare?

There are several ways in which you can be eligible for Medicare:

• You are 65 or older.
• You are a citizen of the United States. 
• You have lived in the United States for five years or more, under a permanent legal residency status.
• You or your partner is an employee of the United States government. You are a retired employee who has not paid into Social Security but has settled their Medicare payroll in their employment.
• If you are getting Social Security Benefits or are eligible for such benefits based on the length of time you have worked.

You can also be eligible for Medicare while younger than 65 if you have a disability or have End-Stage Renal Disease.

It is always recommended to enroll in Original Medicare once you become eligible, but if you already have some type of creditable health insurance, such as from your employer, it’s understandable as to why you would delay your enrollment. In this case, you would actually be able to enroll for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period, which will help you avoid late enrollment penalties.

However, even if you do have employer health coverage, we still recommend you enroll in Medicare Part A as soon as you are eligible, that way, if you need the extra coverage it offers, you will have it. Plus, Part A is typically free for most beneficiaries, so this will actually be more beneficial for you.

What Does Medicare Cover?

People with specific healthcare needs may benefit from enrolling in Medicare. Original Medicare (Part A and B) will cover your inpatient and outpatient services. Medicare Supplements cover the out-of-pocket costs left behind from Medicare Part A and B. Medicare Advantage (Part C) covers the same services as Original Medicare and extra services, like dental, vision, or hearing coverage. Part D offers coverage for prescription medications.

If you want to learn more about your Medicare options in Reno, NV, area, give us a call today at (775) 328-1197. We will help you determine your eligibility and make sure you can enroll in Medicare during the right enrollment periods.