New to Medicare? Start Here
Turning 65 or retiring soon? We’ll help you understand when to enroll in Medicare, how employer coverage fits in, and how to compare Medicare Supplement options in Pennsylvania.
Call 215-967-8828 Take the Medicare Readiness QuizGetting Started With Medicare
If you are new to Medicare, the first step is figuring out when you need to enroll and whether you need Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or both.
For most people, Medicare eligibility begins around age 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period generally lasts seven months: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after.
If you are still working and covered by an employer health plan, your situation may be different. Depending on your employer coverage, you may be able to delay Medicare Part B without a late enrollment penalty.
Before making that decision, it is important to understand how your employer coverage coordinates with Medicare.
Call The DeAngelis Agency at 215-967-8828, or click here to ask a question. There is no charge or obligation.
Are You Turning 65 Soon?
If you are approaching age 65 and do not have employer coverage that allows you to delay Medicare, it is smart to begin planning several months before your Medicare effective date.
For many people, that means:
- Confirming when Medicare Part A and Part B should begin
- Applying for Medicare through Social Security if necessary
- Comparing Medicare Supplement options
- Reviewing prescription drug coverage separately
- Coordinating effective dates so there is no gap in coverage
If you enroll before the month you turn 65, Medicare coverage will generally begin on the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Medicare may begin the month before.
What If You Are Still Working at 65?
You do not automatically have to leave employer coverage simply because you turn 65.
If you or your spouse are actively working and you are covered by an employer group health plan, you may be able to delay Medicare Part B without a late enrollment penalty.
Before making a decision, ask your employer benefits department:
- Is my coverage based on current employment?
- Does the employer plan remain primary after I turn 65?
- Do I need Medicare Part A or Part B for the employer plan to pay correctly?
- Is my prescription drug coverage considered creditable?
- What happens to my coverage when I retire?
COBRA and retiree health coverage do not necessarily give you the same ability to delay Medicare Part B as active employer coverage.
That is why it is important to review your situation before making changes.
What Happens When You Retire and Lose Employer Coverage?
If you delayed Medicare Part B because you had qualifying employer coverage based on current employment, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when that employment or coverage ends.
Medicare generally provides an eight-month Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Part B after employment or qualifying employer coverage ends.
However, if you want Medicare coverage to begin immediately when your employer plan ends, it is usually better to start the process before your employer coverage terminates.
Planning ahead can help prevent gaps in coverage and unnecessary enrollment problems.
When Should You Buy a Medicare Supplement Plan?
Your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is one of the most important Medicare deadlines to understand.
Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally begins the first month you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
During this period, you generally have the strongest protections when applying for Medicare Supplement coverage because medical underwriting does not normally apply.
After that enrollment period, insurance companies may require medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed-issue right or another applicable protection.
This is why it is important to compare your Medicare Supplement options carefully when you first become eligible.
What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
A Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, works with Original Medicare to help pay certain deductibles, copayments and coinsurance that Medicare does not pay.
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by plan letter.
That means the basic medical benefits of a Plan G are the same regardless of the insurance company issuing the policy, and the same is true for Plan N.
What can vary between insurance companies includes:
- Monthly premium
- Household discounts
- Rate history
- Underwriting requirements
- Customer service
- Financial strength
That is why comparing insurance companies can be just as important as choosing the plan letter.
For a broader comparison, see our guide to Medicare Supplement plans in Pennsylvania.
Plan G or Plan N?
For many people new to Medicare, Plan G and Plan N are the two Medicare Supplement plans most worth comparing.
Plan G generally has a higher monthly premium but provides more predictable out-of-pocket expenses.
Plan N often has a lower monthly premium but may require certain office-visit and emergency-room copayments and does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
For Pennsylvania residents, Plan N can be particularly attractive because Pennsylvania generally prohibits Medicare Part B excess charges for covered services received within the state.
For a detailed comparison, see Plan G vs Plan N in Pennsylvania.
New to Medicare? Check Where You Stand
Answer these quick questions and we’ll point you toward the next step.
Your Next Step
If you are turning 65, retiring, leaving employer coverage or simply trying to understand how Medicare works, the most important thing is getting the timing right.
We can help you determine:
- When you should enroll in Medicare
- Whether you may be able to delay Medicare Part B
- How to coordinate Medicare with retirement
- When your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period begins
- Whether Plan G or Plan N may make more sense for you
- Which Medicare Supplement companies are competitive in your area
The goal is to help you understand your options before you make a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?
Some people are enrolled automatically, while others need to enroll through Social Security. Your situation may depend on whether you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Do I have to enroll in Medicare if I am still working?
Not always. If you have qualifying employer group health coverage based on current employment, you may be able to delay Medicare Part B without a late enrollment penalty.
You should confirm how your employer coverage coordinates with Medicare before delaying enrollment.
How long do I have to enroll in Part B after I retire?
If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because you had qualifying employer coverage based on current employment, you generally have up to eight months after employment or that coverage ends to enroll in Part B.
However, if you want Medicare to begin immediately when your employer coverage ends, you should normally begin the process before the employer plan terminates.
When does my Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period begin?
Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally begins the first month you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Should I choose Plan G or Plan N?
That depends on the premium difference, your healthcare usage, where you receive medical care, and whether you prefer a lower monthly premium or more predictable out-of-pocket expenses.
Does it cost more to use a Medicare broker?
The DeAngelis Agency does not charge clients a separate fee for Medicare Supplement comparisons, enrollment assistance or ongoing policy service. Insurance companies generally compensate brokers directly.
Related Medicare Topics
- Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Pennsylvania
- Plan G vs Plan N in Pennsylvania
- Medicare Insurance Broker Near Me
- When Can I Switch My Medicare Supplement Plan?
- Do Medicare Brokers Charge a Fee?
Related Local Pages
- Medicare Broker in Bucks County, PA
- Medicare Broker in Montgomery County, PA
- Medicare Broker in Philadelphia County, PA
- Medicare Broker in Chester County, PA
- Medicare Broker in Delaware County, PA
- Medicare Broker in Lehigh County, PA
- Medicare Broker in Northampton County, PA
- Medicare Broker in Doylestown, PA
Schedule Your Medicare Consultation Today
If you are turning 65, retiring, losing employer coverage, or simply trying to understand how Medicare works, I’m happy to help you make sense of the process.
I’ve been helping Medicare beneficiaries since 1985, and The DeAngelis Agency focuses on straightforward explanations, careful comparisons and long-term service after your coverage begins.
Call The DeAngelis Agency at 215-967-8828.
There is no pressure and no obligation—just straightforward guidance to help you understand your Medicare options.