Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely not! My fees are paid by the insurance provider. My role is as a resource for you and to help you find the right plan to fit your specific needs. You will always pay the same rates as you would going direct to the insurance providers.

I help guide you through this process and work to find coverage that meets your needs AND through insurance companies accepted by your doctors to keep you within the company's network.

While some are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), others will need to sign up on their own.. In most cases, it depends on whether you’re getting Social Security benefits.

Simple pointers to help guide you in the right direction.

If you have already opted for your social security income payment and you are turning 65 or on social security income, you do not need to do anything. The government will mail you a card three to four months before your birthday and at that time they ask you to sign the document and send it back accepting Medicare.

If you're eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that:

• Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
• Includes the month you turn 65
• Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65

If you aren’t automatically enrolled, you can sign up for free Part A (if you’re eligible) any time during or after your Initial Enrollment Period starts. Your coverage start date will depend on when you sign up. If you have to buy Part A and/or Part B, you can only sign up during a valid enrollment period.

If you wait until the month you turn 65 (or the 3 months after you turn 65) to enroll, your Part B coverage will be delayed. This could cause a gap in your coverage.

Special Notes

If you are retiring from a job and you already activated your part A Medicare and now you are trying to activate your part B, you cannot do this online. You must fill out paperwork to apply for Part B and you will need form 40B and L564F.

• 40B, in section 12 there is a area for” remarks”. We highly recommend you hand write in the date you want your Medicare to be active.
• This has become a spot where some people joining Part B after they are 65 have mistakes on the needed start date when left blank.
• L564E - Your employer needs to fill out and submit this form. This proves you had creditable coverage.
• If you are over 65 and stayed with cobra insurance, this is not creditable coverage and you will get an enrollment penalty when you change to Medicare.

Funding a H.S.A?

One of the only reasons you should not sign up for Part A is if you are funding a HSA through your work insurance. If you do, and defer Part B as most working people do, you will not be able to deposit into your HSA. Worse, your HSA could be subject to an audit for the 6 months prior. A finding could result in some of your money being removed from it - affecting your amount of withheld taxes.

Please remember, this is general advice. For help with the above information and more specific help based on your individual needs, please schedule a consultation.

One of the only reasons you should not sign up for Part A is if you are funding a HSA through your work insurance. If you do, and defer Part B as most working people do, you will not be able to deposit into your HSA. Worse, your HSA could be subject to an audit for the 6 months prior. A finding could result in some of your money being removed from it - affecting your amount of withheld taxes.