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Planning for Medicare | Medicare Eligibility

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Planning for Medicare

Seniors turning 65 enjoying their Medicare health insurance plan in New York

Am I eligible for Medicare at 65?

If you are almost age 65 and are retired or ready to retire, you are likely signing up for Medicare for the first time. Read our tips below to help you plan for Medicare enrollment.

You have a limited time to enroll once you reach the Medicare eligibility age, called the Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP). This period covers three months before the month of your 65th birthday to three months after. During these seven months, you may enroll in any Medicare health insurance plan you’re eligible for.

4-6 months before you turn 65

Four to six months before turning 65, you can learn the Medicare basics:What are the parts of Medicare? What do they cover? How much will I pay?

See Medicare BasicsSee Medicare Basics

1-3 months before you turn 65

One to three months before turning 65, you can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B so that you don’t have a lapse in coverage.

Contact your local Social Security Administration office to check whether you’re automatically enrolled based on your Social Security Benefits.

Look at affordable options that give you more coverage than Original Medicare alone, like Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage Plans give you all the benefits of Medicare Parts A and B, plus even more coverage such as eyewear, dental, hearing aids and fitness and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans also include Medicare Part D drug coverage in the same plan.

EmblemHealth Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans

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Check with your doctor(s) to see if they accept different types of Medicare coverage. Certain providers may not accept Medicare. Check your prescription drugs to see if they’re covered.

What should I do before my Medicare initial enrollment period ends?

Let us help you find a Medicare Advantage Plan that works for you.

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Call our EmblemHealth Medicare Specialists at: 800-859-4880 8am to 8pm, seven days a week from October 1 to March 31 and 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday from April 1 to September 30.

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Last Updated 10/01/2022

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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be substituted for regular consultation with your health care provider. If you have any concerns about your health, please contact your health care provider's office.

Also, this information is not intended to imply that services or treatments described in the information are covered benefits under your plan. Please refer to your Membership Agreement, Certificate of Coverage, Benefit Summary, or other plan documents for specific information about your benefits coverage.