Medicare is the nation’s health care program for citizens aged 65 years and up, and younger people who meet certain eligibility criteria. Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D cover many major medical expenses for participants.
Choosing the right Medicare plan can be confusing, and it may be difficult to decipher all of the language written into these plans and options. Here are some potential mistakes to avoid when you choose your plan so you end up with the coverage you need.
Key Takeaways
- Your Medicare enrollment window begins three months before the month you turn 65 and lasts for three months after that.
- Don’t assume your spouse is covered just because you are.
- Make sure you have enough coverage for all your medical expenses.
- If your income is low enough, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings program.
- Evaluate what kind of coverage you need and which Medicare plans suit your needs and financial situation best.
Medicare Deadline
Not signing up at the right time can be one of the biggest mistakes you can make with Medicare. If you receive Social Security when you turn 65, you don’t have to do anything. You’re automatically enrolled in the program, and the premiums are deducted from your monthly benefits.
Medicare Initial Enrollment Period
If you delay taking Social Security until a later age, you have to enroll for Medicare Part A and/or Part B on your own when you turn 65. This Medicare Initial Enrollment Period:
- Starts three months before the month you turn 65
- Includes the month you turn 65
- Ends three months after the month you turn 65
So, if you turn 65 in September, you have between June and December to enroll.
Signing Up for Medicare Part A
In general, you should enroll in Medicare Part A during this Initial Enrollment Period even if you have health insurance through an employer. That’s because most people pay Medicare taxes throughout their working years and, therefore, won’t have to pay for Medicare Part A. Of course, if you have to pay a premium, you may opt to delay.
Signing Up for Medicare Part B
Most people need to enroll in Medicare Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period. The only way to delay Medicare Part B is if you have health insurance from your (or your spouse’s) current employer. Everyone pays a premium for Medicare Part B. How much you pay depends on your income and when you enroll.
Medicare Penalty
If you don’t enroll in Part A and Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, you must wait to sign up, which can cause a gap in your coverage. You may also owe a lifetime late enrollment penalty that increases the longer you wait to sign up.
The penalty for Part A is 10% of the monthly premium, and you’ll pay this higher premium for twice the number of years you delayed signing up. The late-enrollment penalty for Part B lasts for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty can go up 10% for every 12-month period you were eligible for Medicare Part B but didn’t sign up.
If you have COBRA or retiree coverage, or if your employer gives you money to buy health insurance, you do not have health insurance based on your current employment.
Medicare for Spouses
Assuming that your spouse is covered just because you have Medicare is a big mistake. Medicare coverage doesn’t work like employer-based coverage. This means it doesn’t cover the entire family, and it only applies on an individual basis. If you have paid your dues in the workforce for at least 10 years, your spouse will qualify for Part A when they reach 65 years old.
If your spouse is not 65, then they will have to find coverage elsewhere—perhaps through an employer, a COBRA plan, or a policy sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace. It doesn’t matter whether your spouse receives spousal Social Security benefits.
If your spouse hasn’t turned 65, they may qualify under certain conditions. Anyone who receives disability benefits from Social Security for 24 months, or has an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also qualifies for Medicare.
Medicare Coverage
Not having the right Medicare coverage is another potentially costly mistake. While Medicare Part A is usually free, Parts B, C, and D all require a monthly premium.
Medicare Part B
Most people should probably get at least Part B so that they have coverage for doctor visits and outpatient care. The standard premium for Part B coverage is $164.90 for 2023, which is deducted from your monthly Social Security benefit. There’s also an annual deductible of $226 for 2023 for Part B coverage.
Many Medicare plans boost their premiums from year to year. Make sure you know what you’re paying so you’re not surprised with a hefty bill.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Part C is also called a Medicare Advantage Plan. Private companies that contract with Medicare offer these plans to provide all your Part A and Part B benefits. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include Part D (prescription drug) coverage, as well as extra benefits for vision, hearing, and dental.
The average premium for this type of coverage will run $18 per month in 2023, a drop from the average monthly premium of $19.52 in 2022. If you’re considering a Part C plan, you should be careful to research the available policies to ensure you acquire the best Medicare Advantage Plan to suit your needs.
Medicare Part D
Every plan that offers prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D must provide a minimum standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Since plans can vary the list of prescription drugs they cover and how they place drugs into different tiers, it’s essential to find a plan that covers the medications you normally take. The projected average monthly premium for a Medicare Part D plan for 2023 is $31.50.
As a plan participant, you should note that the average monthly premium you pay for Medicare Part D is in on top of the premium you have to pay for Medicare Part B.
Other Mistakes to Avoid
Some other mistakes to avoid include:
- Seeing doctors that are outside of your Medicare Advantage Plan
- Not managing the high-income surcharge
- Delaying your purchase of a Medigap policy
- Not comprehending your out-of-pocket costs
- Automatically renewing your plan without reviewing what suits you as time goes on
- Not seeking Medicare financial help if you need it
- Not checking if your prescriptions are covered
All of these mistakes are complex matters on their own and reviewing each one in detail will help you understand the Medicare world deeper, allowing you to avoid mistakes that could cost you a significant amount of money or not receive appropriate medical care when you really need it.
Can’t Afford Your Premiums?
Many people don’t have enough money in their retirement nest eggs, meaning they’ll rely heavily on their Social Security checks to pay for their monthly expenses. Keep in mind that your monthly premiums are deducted from your benefits, which lowers the amount you receive each month. According to the Social Security Administration, the maximum benefit people receive at the full retirement age of 67 is $3,568 in 2022.
If your income is low enough that you will have trouble affording the premiums, your state or local department of social services may have programs available to those who financially qualify. If you are eligible for any of the four different Medicare Savings programs available, you may receive help paying for your premiums.
The CARES Act of 2020
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed a $2 trillion coronavirus emergency stimulus package into law called the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. It expanded Medicare’s ability to cover treatment and services for those affected by COVID-19. The CARES Act also:
- Increased flexibility for Medicare to cover telehealth services.
- Authorized Medicare certification for home health services by physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse specialists.
- Increased Medicare payments for COVID-19-related hospital stays and durable medical equipment.
For Medicaid, the CARES Act clarified that non-expansion states can use the Medicaid program to cover COVID-19-related services for uninsured adults who would have qualified for Medicaid if the state had chosen to expand. Other populations with limited Medicaid coverage are also eligible for coverage under this state option.
What Are the Weaknesses of Medicare?
The basic or original Medicare has quite a few weaknesses, with no coverage for vision, dental, hearing, or prescription drugs. These are all primary medical issues that the elderly face. There are also significant out-of-pocket costs related to deductibles and no out-of-pocket limits.
Is It Better to Choose Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
Choosing between Medicare or Medicare Advantage will depend on each individual, their health needs, and their financial situation. Medicare is paid by the government whereas Medicare Advantage is provided by private insurers. Medicare does not cover a variety of areas, such as vision, dental, hearing, and prescription drugs. To have coverage for these, you would have to sign up for a supplemental plan, such as Medicare Plan D. The older you get, it is probably better to have Medicare Advantage as it covers mostly all medical issues.
Is There a Lifetime Limit on Medicare?
There is no lifetime limit on Medicare. If you are eligible and seek medical care that is covered and necessary, then there will be no limit on how much Medicare you can receive in your lifetime.
The Bottom Line
Medicare is a complex program that has many parts and options to choose from. It’s important to spend time learning about its intricacies so your medical health is covered in retirement without having to spend too much out of pocket. Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance from a qualified financial advisor who has been trained in this area.
Correction—June 30, 2022. This article has been edited to clarify the qualifications for non-working spouses.