Do you get health insurance through your current
employer? (COBRA and retiree insurance are not
considered current employer coverage)
www.sarcoa.org 91
MISTAKE 4: NOT APPLYING FOR EXTRA HELP
Millions of older adults are eligible for billions of dollars
in programs that can help them pay for their prescriptions
and health insurance premiums, deductibles, and
coinsurance. If your income in retirement is modest,
you should find out if you qualify for assistance. NCOA
also offers a free online BenefitsCheckUp where you can
see if you’re eligible and apply online for Extra Help
or Medicare Savings Programs. Or contact your State
Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to see
what’s available to you. For the Wiregrass area covered
by SARCOA, contact Davis and Associates at 334-671-
3990.
MISTAKE 5: NOT RE-EVALUATING YOUR
COVERAGE EVERY YEAR
Unfortunately, choosing health insurance is no longer
a one-time decision for most Medicare beneficiaries.
Insurance companies can make changes to policies
every year. Just because your doctor and medications are
covered this year doesn’t automatically mean they will
be covered in the coming year. Research studies show
that the average consumer could save $300 or more
annually if they review their Part D coverage. Make sure
to confirm cost, copays, coinsurance, covered providers,
and prescription drugs. Here are a few things to consider:
• Has your health changed in the last year?
• Is your current plan still meeting all of your health
needs?
• How much have you paid out-of-pocket in the last
year—and for what?
• How is your plan changing for the coming year?
How will that affect your out-of-pocket costs?
• Are there better options available to you now?
Visit MyMedicareMatters.org to learn about Medicare,
take the Medicare QuickCheckTM and find additional
support.
Turning 65? Follow Your Path to Medicare!
Are you working OR is your spouse working AND at a job with at least 20 employees?
If you get coverage through a
Marketplace plan or expanded
Medicaid, in most cases, it will
end when you turn 65, Do you have “creditable”
drug coverage that is as
good as Medicare’s basic
drug benefit? Your job
should tell you in writing.
*Contact and additional information can be found on page 2 of the infographic.
©2018 National Council on Aging. All Rights Reserved.
ncoa.org
IHS* and VA* health services
may require you to enroll in
Medicare. Talk with your IHS* or
VA* representative to learn more.
Enrolling in Medicare does not
affect your ability to receive services
through IHS* and/or VA*.
Enroll in Medicare up to 3 months before
you turn 65. To enroll, contact the Social
Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213
or www.ssa.gov.
If you are worried about affording Medicare
find help at BenefitsCheckUp.org
Have more questions?
Call a local Medicare counselor for
free, personal help:
www.shiptacenter.org
Learn more about Medicare:
MyMedicareMatters.org
Consider enrolling only in Medicare
Part A now; in most cases it is
premium free. Wait to enroll in
Medicare Parts B and D. When you
retire or lose your job-related health
insurance, you will get a Special
Enrollment Period to sign up.
Are you eligible for healthcare
services through Veterans
Admin. (VA*) or Tribal/Indian
Health Services (IHS*)?
Are you enrolled in a
Marketplace*, SHOP plan
or expanded Medicaid?
Are you currently uninsured?
Do you get health coverage
through TRICARE*?
Coverage in a
Marketplace* plan
(including under 20
employee SHOP plans)
require that you enroll
in Medicare upon
turning 65.
Start Here
(If you contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) contact a
Medicare counselor* before making any Medicare decisions)
Talk with your TRICARE*
representative to learn how Medicare
works with your current coverage.
Then consider your options for
enrolling in Medicare.
/www.ssa.gov
/www.sarcoa.org
/MyMedicareMatters.org
/MyMedicareMatters.org
/ncoa.org
/www.ssa.gov
/BenefitsCheckUp.org
/www.shiptacenter.org