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Medicare Fundamentals:
Am I Required to Sign Up for Medicare at Age 65?
In this Medicare Fundamentals vlog, David Painter, a Community Liaison with the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, discusses a frequently asked question: Are you required to sign up for Medicare?
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Medicare Enrollment Opportunities Underway
Medicare's annual open enrollment period concluded on Dec. 7, but other enrollment opportunities for Medicare coverage are underway.
Ohioans on Medicare who did not sign up for Part A (hospital insurance) and/or Part B (medical insurance) during their initial enrollment period, and do not qualify for a special enrollment period, can sign up for Medicare during the Jan. 1 to March 31 general enrollment period. Coverage begins on the first day of the month after signing up.
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period also runs from Jan. 1 to March 31. During this time, individuals in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. For Ohioans impacted by network disruptions with Medicare Advantage plans, this enrollment period is another opportunity for Medicare Advantage plan enrollees to review their provider networks and determine if their current plan is adequate or if another plan (or Original Medicare) would be a better alternative. Any changes made during this period will take effect on the first day of the month after the new plan receives the request.
Additionally, two new special enrollment periods started on Jan. 1. One is for individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and the other is for those who qualify for Extra Help, a low-income subsidy for prescription drug costs.
For more information, click here. Staff from the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program are available at 800-686-1578 and oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov to answer any questions.
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Avoid Late Enrollment Penalties
How can late enrollment penalties be avoided? It’s important to sign up for Medicare coverage during the initial enrollment period unless other coverage similar in value to Medicare (like from an employer) is secured, otherwise, a late enrollment financial penalty could be incurred.
Late enrollment penalties:
- Are added to the monthly premium.
- Are not a one-time late fee.
- Are usually charged for as long as the individual has that type of coverage (for most people, that’s a lifetime penalty). The Part A penalty is different.
- Go up the longer the enrollment wait without coverage similar to Medicare.
Get more insight here.
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OSHIIP Conducting Statewide Welcome to Medicare Events
The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), the state's official Medicare counseling and enrollment assistance program, is holding Welcome to Medicare events in certain counties across the state.
If you will be eligible for Medicare soon and have questions, are helping a friend or family member navigate their Medicare benefits, or are currently on Medicare and have questions or concerns, join OSHIIP, a program of the Ohio Department of Insurance, for this informative, helpful, in-person engagement.
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Through the 988 Lifeline, you have access to free, quality, one-on-one assistance. The skilled, judgment-free counselors are there to provide compassionate support. You deserve to feel heard and cared about anytime, anywhere, 24/7/365.
Text 988 or CHAT WITH THE 988 LIFELINE
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