Procedures to Go From Regular Insurance to Medicare

Private health insurance in the United States can be expensive, especially for people who are older, have chronic health problems, or both. Medicare is a national program run by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services meant to provide affordable health insurance to seniors and others with certain medical conditions. Many individuals want to move from regular, private health insurance to Medicare when they have the chance, and some kinds of health insurance automatically end when the policyholder become eligible. But there are many things to know when choosing to enroll in the program.

Check Your Eligibility

• Not everyone who thinks they can get Medicare is eligible. Medicare is designed primarily for senior citizens, and most individuals must be at least 65 years of age or older before they can join. There are exceptions for people younger than 65 if they are receiving Social Security disability benefits, but in these cases, the Social Security Administration generally enrolls them automatically. You must also be either a U.S. citizen or a legal resident alien who has lived in the country for at least five continuous years.

Enroll

• Unless you are disabled and enrolled in Medicare automatically, you will have to make the effort to join the program yourself. You cannot enroll in Medicare any time you want, however. New members must join during their initial enrollment period. The initial enrollment period runs from three month before the month a person turns 65 to three months after. During this time, new Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in any part of Medicare or Medicare supplement they want. New members need to choose wisely when enrolling. Though all parts of Medicare are not mandatory, you will have to wait until the annual open enrollment period if you decide you want to add a part later. You may also be subject to late enrollment fees if you did not choose to join Medicare Part A, B or D when you originally had the chance.

Cancel Your Regular Insurance

• Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you can cancel your old health insurance. Do not do this before you are enrolled in Medicare and your benefits begin, but you will need to cancel by calling or informing your insurance company in writing. Medicare benefits do not begin immediately when you join. If you enroll during the first three months of your initial enrollment period, coverage should begin the first day of the month you turn 65. If you enroll in the fourth month, benefits start the month following your enrollment. If you join during the fifth month, benefits start the second month after enrollment, and if you enroll during the sixth or seventh month of the initial enrollment period, coverage does not begin until the third month after you join.

Pay Your Premiums

• Medicare coverage is not free, although many people can get Part A Medicare without monthly premiums. You or your spouse must have paid Medicare taxes for 10 years (40 quarters) in order to qualify for premium-free Part A, or qualify for Social Security disability benefits. People not entitled to free Part A can choose to purchase it for a monthly payment. All other parts of Medicare also have their own monthly premiums, as do Medicare supplements. Beneficiaries must keep current with their premium payments in order to keep benefits. Very low-income seniors may be able to get help paying their premiums from their state Medicaid programs.