The Medicare Coach

🚨 Joining Medicare After 65? Here’s the Shortcut! 🚨

If you decided to delay your Medicare coverage past 65 because you were covered by an employer plan, you need to know the specific "shortcut" to get enrolled without penalties.

Here is the simple and easy process to apply for Part A & Part B:

1️⃣ Get the Form: First, have your employer fill out the employment verification letter. This proves you had coverage and qualifies you for the Special Enrollment Period.

2️⃣ Apply Online: Head to the Social Security website and find the link to apply for Medicare through a Special Enrollment Period.

3️⃣ Upload & Submit: Fill out your info, set your start date, and attach that verification letter.

📅 Pro Tip: Ideally, submit this form 2 to 3 months before you leave your employer plan so your coverage starts exactly when you need it.

🛑 Don't Forget: Applying for A & B is just the first step! You still need to select a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, or Part D plan to be fully covered.

👇 Save this post for when you retire!

Stop Guessing. Here is Your Medicare Cheat Sheet.

Here is the backstage pass to the 3 enrollment windows:

🗓️ 1. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) Turning 65? This is your standard 7-month window. Coach’s Advice: Don't wait until your birthday. Apply 3 months before you turn 65 so your coverage is active on day one.

💼 2. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Working past 65 with creditable employer coverage? You get an 8-month window when you retire. Coach’s Advice: You MUST get the employment verification form signed by your employer. No form = No proof = Lifetime Penalties.

⚠️ 3. General Enrollment Period (GEP) This is the "Last Resort" (Jan 1 – Mar 31). Coach’s Advice: If you are here, it usually means you missed the boat. Avoid this window if you can, as it often comes with coverage gaps and penalties.

👇 Tell me below: Which window do you fall in right now? Are you in your IEP (turning 65), SEP (working), or stuck in the GEP?

Yes, that can happen. If you claim Social Security before or near age 65, the Social Security Administration may automatically enroll you in Medicare Part A and sometimes Part B.

If you apply for Social Security after 65, they usually start your Medicare Part A coverage and retroactively place a start date six months before then. This can create an issue, especially for putting money into a health savings account.

Turning 65 is a major milestone, but it also marks one of the biggest financial decisions you will make: deciding between your current health insurance and Medicare. 🛑 Making the wrong choice can cost you thousands in lifetime penalties or land you in a plan that doesn't fit your needs.

It isn't as simple as just "choosing one." There are specific, complex rules depending on whether you have an employer plan, a retiree plan, or Marketplace coverage. Before you make any moves, you need a clear checklist to review your options. Here are 5 key steps to guide that critical decision:

1️⃣ Check Medicare Rules. If you have active employer insurance, does it meet specific requirements that allow you to safely delay Medicare without facing lifetime penalties later?

2️⃣ Know Your "Other" Plan. Retiree plans frequently require you to join Medicare Part A and B. Conversely, if you are on a Marketplace (Obamacare) plan, those low-cost subsidies almost always vanish once you turn 65.

3️⃣ Compare Total Costs. Look beyond the monthly premium. Analyze the deductibles, co-pays, and total potential out-of-pocket maximums of your current plan versus what Medicare and a supplement would offer.

4️⃣ Evaluate Coverage. Will your current doctors and preferred hospitals still be accessible? It is vital to compare network limitations and prescription drug formularies.

5️⃣ Account For Family. This is a crucial step that is often overlooked. If you are covering a spouse or dependent children, switching yourself to Medicare may terminate their coverage. You must ensure they are protected.

It seems like a lot to take in, but taking a moment to address these five areas will give you the confidence that you are not wasting money or choosing the wrong path. We suggest you save this post for easy reference as you begin your review process.

Which of these five factors are you most concerned about when reviewing your Medicare decision? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

It depends on the details of your employer health insurance plan. Medicare allows you to delay Medicare past 65 with no penalties as long as your employer health insurance meets three criteria:

1. It does not require you to join Medicare Part A or B.
2. It has 20 employees or more.
3. The prescription plan is deemed creditable.

If your employer plan does not meet all three of these requirements, you must join all or parts of Medicare, depending on the details. This can be your own employer plan or a spouse's employer plan, but domestic partner plans do not meet this criteria.

Missed Your Medicare Window? The General Enrollment Period is Open!

If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period (around your 65th birthday) or your Special Enrollment Period (leaving a job), right now is your chance to get covered.

The General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs from January 1 to March 31, and it is the critical safety net for those who missed other deadlines.

Here is what you need to know:

🗓️ The Timeline: You have until March 31 to apply. Coverage kicks in the very first day of the following month!

✅ What You Can Do:

Enroll in Medicare Part A & B

Switch Medicare Advantage plans

Switch from Advantage back to Original Medicare

Pick up a Part D drug plan

⚠️ The Catch: Using the GEP often results in penalties, and unlike other periods, you are not guaranteed a Medicare Supplement plan right now.

🛑 Don't Wait: If you miss this window, you cannot enroll again until next January.

👉 How to apply: Log in to your account at https://hubs.la/Q03_rDhl0 to start the process.

💾 Save this post or share it with a friend who needs to get their Medicare sorted this month!

Register for my next free online Medicare workshop by going here: https://hubs.la/Q03_rBNc0

🚨 Delayed Medicare past 65 due to employer coverage?

If you kept working past 65 and stayed on your employer's health plan, you might be wondering how to finally sign up for Medicare without facing late penalties.

The good news is that leaving employer coverage qualifies you for a "special enrollment period".

Use the checklist in the image above as your shortcut to navigate this process!

📝 Key Takeaway: The crucial first step is having your current employer fill out a verification form to prove to the government that you have had continuous coverage since turning 65.

💻 Once you have that form, you will go to the Social Security website to apply for Medicare Part A and B, specify the date you want coverage to start, and attach your verification letter.

🗓️ Timing matters: Ideally, you should submit this application two to three months before your employer plan ends to ensure a smooth transition.

Are you preparing to retire soon and make the switch to Medicare?

Register for my next free online Medicare workshop by going here: https://hubs.la/Q04lw-GL0

🛑 Is your "safe" plan starting to feel expensive?

Many people choose Plan G because it feels like the worry-free option. It’s easy to understand.

But the reality for 2026 is hitting hard: Plan G premiums are seeing significant increases.

Here is the hard truth many agents won't emphasize: Medicare supplement plans are "sticky."

When you are first eligible, you can pick any plan. But once that window closes, insurance companies in most states can deny you if you try to switch plans later due to pre-existing conditions. You could be locked into a plan that keeps raising its rates.

We don't want you to just "set it and forget it" until it becomes unaffordable.

👇Have you noticed your supplement monthly premiums creeping up lately? Let me know in the comments.

Register for my next free online Medicare workshop by going here: https://hubs.la/Q04lw4n30