The Medicare approval process entails a determination of eligibility and paperwork.
Medicare is extremely discounted health insurance for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient, nursing, hospice and home-health services. Medicare Part B service helps pay for necessary doctor care for potentially harmful illnesses. Most people with Medicare Part A do not pay a monthly premium because, if they were employed in the United States before retirement, they paid Medicare tax. Medicare Part B requires a standard, affordable monthly rate. The approval process for Medicare requires a series of eligibility assessment and enrollment procedures.
Eligibility
In general, a person is eligible for Medicare if he or his spouse has worked for at least a decade in a position covered by Medicare, and he is 65 years or older. If a person is younger than 65 but has certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease, she is eligible to begin the Medicare enrollment process. Another eligibility standard includes people who receive or are eligible for Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Immediate Enrollment
When you turn 65, you have until the following March 31 to sign up for enrollment. This can be done by visiting your local Social Security office or calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you visit an office, an agent will give you the necessary documents to fill out; if you call an office, an agent will mail you the necessary documents. Additionally, you can apply online.
Late Enrollment
If you miss the March 31 deadline when you turn 65 years old, you may still enroll in Medicare. However, you must wait until the following January 1 to sign up. January 1 to March 31 of each year is called the General Enrollment Period, and anyone 65 years or older, or people with a disability, may enroll during this time.
Stipulations
When you enroll in Medicare Part B, you are eligible for the standard rate available for the year you enroll. However, for every year you are eligible and don't enroll, the premium increases 10 percent. If you finally do enroll in Medicare, you must continue to pay 10 percent for every year you didn't utilize the service.
