Turning 65? We've got you covered.
What to expect
Once you turn 65, you become eligible for Medicare and can enroll in a plan that best fits your needs. It’s important to understand your healthcare choices so you can ensure you have the right coverage for your lifestyle. Mass General Brigham Health Plan is here to support you with helpful information and Medicare Advantage plans centered on you.
Preparing to sign up for Medicare
As soon as you turn 64, you should start getting ready for Medicare. Walk through our step-by-step timeline to set yourself up for success.
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Age 64: Preparing for Medicare
- Learn about Medicare and the different types of plans. Start here.
- Make a list of your regular doctors and prescription drugs to make it easy for you to compare plans.
- If you currently have coverage through an employer, ask if they offer coverage options for people 65 and older.
- Get a picture of your health care history. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What did you pay in the past year? Look at your TOTAL costs, including premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance.
- How many times did you go to the doctor?
- How many hospital stays did you have?
- Do you plan on traveling?
- Knowing these details will make it easier to find the right plan when you are ready to enroll.
- Compare different Medicare plans to find the coverage and premiums that work best for you.
- When comparing plans, be sure to look at the maximum amount of costs you could incur, or the out-of-pocket maximum.
- See if your doctors are covered.
- See if your prescriptions are covered.
- Compare our Medicare Advantage plans online.
- Find out about any extra benefits, such as fitness programs, hearing aid discounts and more.
- Arrange a personal consultation with a Medicare Advisor.
- Determine which options are best for you.
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Age 64 & 9 months: Time to choose your plan
Now’s the time to choose your plan.
- Time to enroll. You can start enrolling in Medicare starting three months before the month of your birthday.
- To enroll in Part A and Part B, contact the Social Security Administration.
- Ready to enroll in a Mass General Brigham Health Plan Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan? Get started today.
If you haven’t already done so, you should compare plans to determine which best meets your needs or request a Benefit Kit.
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Age 65: Let's get started
You can now take advantage of Medicare benefits. If you already enrolled in Medicare, it becomes effective now.
If you are still shopping for an individual Medicare plan, you only have three more months to do so. Have questions? Mass General Brigham Health Plan is here to help.
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Age 65 & 3 months: Don't get stuck paying penalties
You must be enrolled in Part A, B and D (or creditable coverage) by now to avoid paying late enrollment penalties.
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Beyond age 65: Medicare is not a "once and done" decision
You can change plans once a year. If the Medicare plan you chose is not meeting your needs, you can change plans, typically in the fall, during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
Medicare tips made for you
Turning 65 opens the door to new health insurance options, but everyone’s situation is unique. Click below to read helpful details pertaining to your specific situation.
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If you're going to keep your (or your spouse's) current employer coverage
- Find out if you need to enroll in Part B to avoid penalties—it may be necessary if your employer has fewer than 20 employees.
- Ask your employer if your plan’s prescription drug coverage is as good as Medicare’s coverage (it’s called “creditable coverage”). If not, enroll in Part D to avoid penalties.
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If you're NOT keeping your employer coverage
- Talk to your employer to see if there are other options or plans available to people 65 and older.
- Enroll in Parts A and B once you’re eligible.
- Consider Part C (Medicare Advantage) or supplemental plans for additional coverage. Medicare Advantage plans often feature no deductibles on medical services and offer benefits that go above and beyond Part A and Part B coverage.
- Sign up for Part D prescription drug coverage. Many Medicare Advantage plans are offered with Part D drug coverage included.
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What if your current coverage wasn’t purchased through an employer?
- For all other qualified health plans, you will need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B and have a prescription drug coverage that’s as good as Medicare’s standard plan (or enroll in Part D) to avoid penalties. A Medicare Advantage plan is a great way to get all the parts of Medicare in one plan. If you choose to keep your current coverage once you turn 65, you will lose any premium tax credits or other savings you are currently receiving. Since you will still need to enroll in Medicare Part A and B, a Medicare Advantage plan may be a better alternative.
- If you have an Essential Plan, your plan will end at age 65 and you will need to enroll in Medicare for health coverage.
Did you know?
If you don’t sign up for Part B when first eligible, or maintain creditable prescription drug coverage, you may find yourself paying multiple penalties. Let our Medicare Advisors help you avoid potential problems.
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Health care and health coverage from every angle
At Mass General Brigham Health Plan, we put you at the center of everything we do. Our Medicare Advantage Plans start at $0 and provide a continuous circle of care and coverage so you can get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Extended network
You'll have access to a wide network of doctors and hospitals that includes the Mass General Brigham healthcare system and other providers, clinics, and hospitals throughout the region.
Benefits at a glance
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Over-the-counter benefits
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Enhanced dental, vision, and hearing services
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Hearing aids and eyewear allowance
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Telehealth
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Fitness reimbursement
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Coverage when you travel worldwide
Care Guides
Our Care Guides, like our plans, are centered on you. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan from Mass General Brigham Health Plan, you're paired with a Care Guide who helps you understand and use your benefits. Your Care Guide can help you:
- Find in-network providers
- Understand your coverage
- Solve prescription issues
- Schedule appointments
How to enroll
Follow these steps to enroll in one of our Medicare Advantage plans:
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Sign up for Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) through the Social Security Administration.
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Call us to add additional coverage through Mass General Brigham Health Plan. We have plans starting at $0 monthly premium.
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On the first day of the month after we receive your application, your coverage will take effect.
Download your Medicare Basics guide
Our Medicare basics guide is a helpful tool to refer back to as you move forward and review your Medicare plan options.
Have questions? Our Medicare Advisors are here to help.
Get expert guidance to help you understand your options, find the right plan, and make sure the transition to your new plan goes smoothly with no disruption to your care.
Call 855-486-3097 (TTY 711)
Or schedule a consultation.
October 1-March 31
8 AM-8 PM ET, Mon-Sun
April 1-September 30
8 AM-8 PM ET, Mon-Fri
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