When Will I Know if My Medicare is Approved?
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a government-run health insurance program available to United States citizens and permanent residents aged 65 or older, as well as those younger than 65 with certain disabilities. To be eligible for Medicare, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have been paying Medicare taxes for at least ten years.
When you become eligible for Medicare, it’s important to know the process of how to get approved.
How do I sign up for Medicare?
First, you’ll need to gather some information about yourself and your spouse (if you have one). This includes your social security number, date of birth, and citizenship status. You will also need to provide information about your current health insurance plan.
The process of getting approved for Medicare can seem daunting, but it’s not too difficult. The first step is to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and apply for Medicare. You can do this online, or by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office in New Jersey.
Once you’ve applied, SSA will review your application and let you know whether you’ve been approved for Medicare. If you’re approved, SSA will send you a letter telling you what your Medicare coverage will be and when your coverage will start. If you’re not approved, SSA will tell you why and give you information about how to appeal the decision.
If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You don’t need to do anything to enroll — SSA will take care of it for you. If you’re unsure if you’ve already been enrolled in Medicare, Senior Star and Jamie Sholom can help you review your current health coverage.
What happens after I am approved for Medicare?
Once you’re approved for Medicare, there are a few things you need to do to start receiving benefits.
First, make sure your Medicare card arrives in the mail. Your Medicare card is commonly known as your red, white, and blue card. Once you have your Medicare card, visit the doctor or hospital of your choice, and show them your card as proof of insurance. You’ll also need to start paying premiums for Part A and Part B if you haven’t been doing so already.
Medicare approval can seem like a long process, but it usually only takes a few weeks from the time you apply until you receive your card in the mail.
Still, concerned about how to sign up for Medicare? If you’re unsure of where to get started and aren’t certain about your enrollment dates, you don’t have to submit your Medicare application alone!
Jamie Sholom and Seniorstar can help you register for Medicare. Jamie Sholom is a licensed insurance agent in New Jersey and has been helping people with Medicare for nearly two decades.
If Medicare will be your primary health insurance, and you’d like personal guidance on applying for Medicare and how to set up your Medigap policy and Part D plans, Jamie Sholom is your resource. Contact Jamie at Seniorstar Insurance Group by calling 732 658 5100.
