Call today: Let's meet to discuss MediCare and what you gain with a N L Cty Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement plan!
Call today: Let's meet to discuss MediCare and what you gain with a N L Cty Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement plan!
Social Security (SS) develops the regulations for when-to & how to sign up for Part A & Part B. I call them "rules," and they state individuals:
● Become what MediCare calls "eligible" for Part A and Part B on the first day of the month when 65.
● Those who decide to start coverage at 65 have a seven month period to sign up for Medicare coverage. It's called the Initial Enrollment Period. (IEP) An application can be submitted to SS in either the third, second, or month before 65, or the month when 65, or during any of the three months after.
● Working more than six months after 65 can apply for:
+ MediCare's Part B when they want by using the rules for leaving an employer Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
[Info on the steps to sign up are on this page !]
There are two exceptions to SS's "you decide when to sign up" rule. An individual:
● Will be automatically enrolled in Parts A & B the month eligible if had signed up and were receiving SS benefits for four or more months before 65
Note: If covered by an employer medical plan, employees can opt out of Part B and thus not have to contribute to their employer plan or pay Part B's monthly cost.
● People under 65 who have qualified for SS disability become "eligible" for MedicCare and will be enrolled after receiving benefits for 24 months!
Talking to the Local Social Security office is usually best. Surveys report that some individuals received incorrect information when calling Social Security's main 800 number.
When you call 866) 643-3401, tell the local office you want to speak to a Retirement representative!
Note: Local SS offices, including New London's in the Shaws Cove complex, often want to set up telephone appointments.
I suggest asking for a face-to-face appointment. Talking to a local SS Retirement person about signing up at 65 has many advantages. Ask about:
● Complete your application for Part B and activate Part A.
● What options does SS offer to pay your share of Part B's monthly cost?
What does Part B cost?
● Your share of Part B in 2024 is $174.70. The base monthly cost is 25% of MediCare Part B's overall costs across the US, divided by the number of individuals covered by Part B.
I heard I might have to pay more for Part B!
● Some beneficiaries do! When the AGI on a Single filer's IRS 1040 from two years ago is above 103k or 206k for a Joint filer, the monthly cost will be higher than the Base.
Note: The legislation that implemented charging higher-income individuals a bigger share of Part B's overall cost called the extra cost an "income-related monthly adjustment amount" (IRMMA).
Note: Page two on this link shows the five income-based levels above the 2024 103k base. Each income level adds an additional amount each month to the Base amount!
* * FYI: You can also sign up online for MediCare on — This SS page :
● Somewhat complicated, so I recommend being careful.
● It is not recommended if you are over 65 and leaving an employer plan!
Call John at (860) 451-9793 [ Google voice #] if any questions.
A key point: When an individual's application is complete, MediCare calls them "entitled" [not enrolled ] for coverage * * that starts the first of their eligible month. They will be covered for:
● Part A — inpatient care in a hospital.
● Part B — MD visits and many kinds of outpatient services.
Note: * * Medicare coverage is only for treatments and services they deem medically necessary.
An individuals ID card has Entitled printed above the date their Part A & B medical coverage started!
Note: There is a picture of the Medicare card on this page.
Each individual's ID card includes a unique number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, which includes 11 upper-case letters and numbers.
● The ID has four characters — then three more — then four more.
● To avoid confusion between specific numbers and letters, such as the number zero "0" and capital letter "O," the MBI does not use letters S, L, O, I, B, and Z.
Financial Advisors indicate there is no standard answer to the question — when to begin receiving Social Security benefits. However, this information from SS may be helpful to individuals reaching 65!
● When individuals become fully eligible is on page 3 of this Pub!
● The value of waiting past full retirement age.
In response to many complaints in the past year, MediCare updated the advertising rules for TV ads. They now say ads:
● Can not ask anyone with MediCare to call, other than during each Falls Annual Coordinated Election Period (AEP) (10/1 to 12/7 with signup starting 10/15) Only individuals turning 65 or leaving an employer medical plan can call other times in the year.
[Details on the times * * to enroll in a Medicare Health Plan are on the red enrollment periods ink at the bottom of this section.]
● Are not to mention a plan's specific benefits unless the plan is available to all individuals in the area with MediCare.
● From a marketing organization, not a Medicare Advantage company, that mentions specific benefits must include the name of the company offering this benefit.
As a Medicare insurance professional, I am glad that most ads this fall are from Medicare Advantage companies, not the marketing organizations. Last year's ads were close to being deceptive.
Call if you have any questions about the ads you see!
You gain more about the value of a Medicare Advantage plan by talking in person with a New London County Medicare insurance professional instead of the individual on an 800 # who does not understand how plans work with providers in New London County
Note: Calling John means you are committed to talking, not enrolling.
Another TV ad about planning for retirement mentions they also help individuals with Medicare and says - Buy their MediGap plan! [A Medicare Supplement plan] But:
+ This company's plan has not been approved in CT!
* * Individuals can only enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan or a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) during times set by CMS. The sign-up times are highlighted on this red link called — enrollment periods.
A survey found ― 55% of people report being confused about MediCare!
Another survey of individuals over 65 found:
- > 29% do not understand Medicare Advantage Plans
- > 23% do not understand Medicare Supplements
- > Only 48% said enrollment was easy.
Tip: Call John's Google Voice # at (860) 451-9793 — If you have questions about how:
● MediCare works & interacts with a Medicare Health Plan
● When to and how to sign up!
Note: Calling John is just a commitment to talk ― not to enroll!
Note: Meeting and talking in person is more effective and avoids Medicare's marketing regulations to record any phone call discussion of Medicare Health plan details.
● First — Call the Local SS office — ask to talk to a Retirement person. (They may suggest a telephone appointment)
When talking, tell them the date you will be leaving employer coverage and thus want to:
+ Start Part B.
-> FYI. Signing up for Part B also activates Part A but it will be backdated six months from your Part B date.
+ Understand your options to pay your share of Part B's monthly cost $174.70 in 2024 :
-> This cost is deducted from SS when receiving benefits.
The steps to avoid Part B's late enrollment penalty are:
● Bring your employer the CMS-L564 form to complete. It confirms you had employer medical coverage.
-> The CMS-L564 can be found on this link.
-> The application for Part B, CMS-40B can also be found on this link.
● Return the CMS-L564 to SS when it's signed. Submitting this form:
-> approves your SEP to sign up for Part B.
-> shows you have medical coverage and thus will avoid B's late enrollment penalty
BTW — If someone was not actively on an employer's medical coverage they can't just sign up for Part B whenever they want!
● MDs or other outpatient providers are not paid what might be called their "office rate" for the treatment or service they provide. They are also not paid 100% of the amount MediCare approved for the specific treatment!
● The MediCare system reviews all medical treatments and services to determine if they are medically necessary. Then, an amount is "assigned" ** for each.
** Discounted, often directly from retail!
● MDs and other outpatient providers who signed up to participate agreed to accept just 80% of the approved amount. This is called the — accept "assignment." MediCare's claim contractor pays them
● When a Medicare beneficiary has — any:
+ Outpatient treatment or service: MediCare's claim contractor will send them a statement showing they owe 20% of the approved amount for all the treatment they receive!
- > At the beginning of each year, individuals only using "original Medicare" pay Part B's deductible of $240 in 2024.
+ Hospital-based treatment — Part A's coverage is extensive when an individual is admitted! MediCare pays for everything "medically necessary." — However, an individual only using "original Medicare" is responsible for paying Part A's deductible each time they are admitted. It's $1,632 in 2024.
Note: Coverage in a hospital is not the same if an individual is considered in observation status!
Let's look at HOW TO cover this Big Risk to your income & savings!
Buy either Medicare Health Plan (a special kind of health insurance) — puts an umbrella over your income and savings!
Note: Buying may best be called "financial protection from medical expenses." Owning means the company pays your providers, and you will not be overwhelmed by bills for your 20% share!
The information in the two red links describes how each type of plan works with the MediCare system and protects your finances:
● Medicare Advantage Plan in New London, CT or a
● Medicare Supplement in CT
Each plan has options to meet an individual's situation/interest/budget.
It would be nice if someone could say a change of health will not happen in the future! — But in every life, we know:
● No one can say an accident won't happen!
● The possibility of an illness, with complex and ongoing treatment, is high!
Because of the Big uncertainty of a health change and the Big Costs that could come — it's very important — to buy — either a:
-> Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan approved for New London County
-> Medicare Supplement approved in Connecticut
Owning either means these unique insurance plans will:
+ + Protect from significant expenses
+ + Put you in control
+ + Provide peace of mind, knowing you are protected!
Note: A Medicare Health Plan can only be changed once a year, but a "Med. Supp." can be changed anytime!
Bottom line: Owning is priceless whether you'll soon be 65 — or are over 65 and have decided to leave your or a spouse's employer plan.
Call/text John C Parker's Google Voice today at (860) 451-9793) Meeting in person is most effective! We can:
● Review your situation/interest/budget!
● Increase understanding of how plans in our area work with MediCare,
● Discuss which type will be the most effective for you! - > I am told this is highly appreciated. Help!
Note: Whatever time you need will be available.
Meeting in person also avoids MediCare's requirement that any discussion about benefits or enrollment details over the phone has to be recorded.
Then, after thinking about what will be best for your situation and an enrollment period is available, we can meet to sign up!
You can also send questions about signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement:
● Using the form below or
● To — John@MedicarePlansSECT.com
John helps you as:
● An Advisor — to better understand MediCare's Part A & Part B coverage — how the original MediCare treatment system and the two types of Medicare Health Plans work — and how they interact with physicians & providers.
● A Broker — to highlight effective options to fit each individual's situation/budget/interest when an enrollment period is available, plus — help select a plan — and take the needed steps to enroll.
Meeting face-to-face with a MediCare Insurance Professional < - - >
● Is the most effective way to receive accurate, helpful, and understandable information.
+ vs. talking on an 800 # to a who-knows-where individual required to follow a script
.
● Provides insights into how New London County plans work that are unavailable when talking on an 800 #.
John is licensed in CT (# 2276378 ) and does not solicit or sell in other states.
John complies with Medicare marketing requirements.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) marketing regulations require John, when providing any information about Medicare Plans such as the content on this website, to disclose to Medicare beneficiaries that:
● He is appointed and certified for 2025 by all eight traditional Medicare Advantage (MA) companies offering plans in New London County — the only area where he helps individuals. These companies have 29 regular MA plans John can review and offer beneficiaries. He does not focus on special needs plans.
● He is also appointed and certified by the six Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) companies offering 14 plans in New London County and CT.
● Individuals can also get help to make plan choices in New London County by contacting:
+ Medicare.gov or
+ CT's State Health Insurance Program (SHIP).
Note: This help, however, will not be from a licensed or certified professional.
The new CMS rules also require recording any telephone discussion with individuals about plan coverage details or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan.
However, the more helpful and effective face-to-face conversations do not have to be recorded.
Note: CMS regulations also state that information created to describe Medicare Plans, such as the content on this website that does not mention a company name, any specific company plan benefit details, or plan costs, is considered communication material, not marketing material. Thus, it does not have to be approved by CMS.