As people get close to their 65th birthday, many insurance companies and salespeople will solicit them regarding Medicare. With how much mail is landing in your mailbox, it can be confusing when trying to understand all the insurance jargon. When people come into our office, one of the main questions we get asked about is Original Medicare. Original Medicare is a combination of Part A and Part B of Medicare. Original Medicare is socialized insurance offered by the federal government. Also, it is offered to people who qualify for Medicare. Once you get Original Medicare, you can enroll in a Private Medicare Plan.
Qualifying at the Age of 65
Most people qualify for Medicare at the age of 65. To qualify for Medicare, you or your spouse must have accumulated and paid taxes for a total of 40 quarters in your lifetime. When you turn 65, you will also be enrolled in Part A of Medicare. Some people are automatically enrolled in Part B of Medicare at the age of 65 if they are receiving Social Security benefits. If you are not receiving Social Security Benefits at 65, you may need to proactively apply for Part B. The Part A and Part B coverage will start on the first day of the calendar month of your 65th birthday month. If you are born on the first day of the calendar month, your Part A and Part B eligibility be on the first day of the prior calendar month.
Qualifying Before the Age of 65
People who are eligible for a disability through the Social Security Administration can also qualify for Part A and Part B of Medicare after 24 months of receiving Social Security Disability benefits. There are certain disabilities that qualify you for Medicare. We recommend contacting the Social Security Administration to see if you qualify.
How to Apply for Original Medicare
In simple terms, Having Original Medicare means you have both Part A and Part B of Medicare. To check on your eligibility or enroll in Part A and Part B, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration. The three main ways to apply for Original Medicare are:
- Apply online on the Social Security Administration’s website
- Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213
- Visit a local Social Security Administration office
Next Steps
Once you have Original Medicare, you now qualify for Private Medicare Plans. There are two different types of Medicare Plans: Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. If you are under the age of 65 in Nevada, you cannot get a Medicare Supplement Plan. If you are 65 or older, you can apply for both options. Each coverage is very different in benefit and price so we recommend consulting a licensed broker. Our brokers do not charge any fees to assist you.