Qualifying for Medicare

If you are already receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement or disability benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in what is called Original Medicare.

Otherwise, most people become eligible for Original Medicare when they turn 65 years of age and enroll during their 7-month initial enrollment period (IEP). Your IEP includes the 3 months before you turn 65, your birthday month and the 3 months after you turn 65. To sign up for Original Medicare, call or stop in at your local Social Security office.

More Medicare enrollment information is available. Visit Medicare.gov. Or click here to open “Medicare & You,” the official U.S. government Medicare handbook. These resources will provide you with detailed information on Medicare benefits, coverage options, rights and protections, as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare.

ABCDs of Medicare

Medicare coverage is divided into four parts: 

• Part A is a hospital insurance which helps cover most medically necessary inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home health care. Part A is free for most people.
• Part B is a medical insurance that covers most medically necessary doctors services, outpatient care, certain home health services, durable medical equipment and other items. Most people pay the standard monthly Part B premium, which is updated annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
• Part C is offered through private health insurance companies approved by Medicare. These private Medicare Advantage health plans combine Parts A and B and may include additional benefits such as routine dental, hearing and/or vision care. Medicare Advantage plans can also provide prescription drug coverage.
• Part D is Medicare’s outpatient prescription drug coverage. This coverage is offered by private insurance companies approved by and under contract with Medicare.

$0 monthly premiums and more

Original Medicare, which includes Part A and B, pays for some hospital charges and some doctor visits and outpatient care.   Most Medicare beneficiaries can protect themselves from high costs by enrolling in a Medicare health plan.

• We have plans in all 72 counties of Wisconsin
• All our Medicare plans limit your out-of-pocket costs
• Medicare Advantage premiums remain the same regardless of age
• $0 premium plans available

Security Health Plan and its agents are not in any way connected with the Medicare program. Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., is an HMO-POS, MSA and D-SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Wisconsin Medicaid program. Enrollment in Security Health Plan depends on contract renewal.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call Customer Service at 1-877-998-0998 (TTY 711) for more information.

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Last updated: January 2019