America's Benefit Specialist March 2023

MEDICARE MATTERS

become more challenging since the time of COVID-19. Many Social Security offices have been overwhelmed and the processing of applications is taking longer than expected, es pecially for those who are enrolling under special enrollment when they are past their initial enrollment period. For those aging into Medicare at age 65, the best way to enroll is to use Social Security’s online enrollment tool. Have the client establish a “my Social Security account.” One of the easiest ways to access it is through www.medicare.gov and on the homepage under “Resources,” click on “Apply for Medicare.” This takes them to a page where they can scroll down and find the light-blue box “Apply for Medicare Only” to access the right area on the Social Security website. The Medicare enrollee should have their Social Security card handy when they enroll so they know how they are identi fied in the system. Warn potential beneficiaries that if the Medicare-enrollment process stops, they may have a credit hold on their financial accounts, so they will need to contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 to continue. Once they have completed their enrollment (and printed a copy), they typically will receive a letter three weeks after enrollment. They may wish to call either Social Security or Medicare (800-633-4227) after seven to 10 days to confirm their enrollment and to obtain their Medicare number. Note that the Social Security line is open for calls from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and the Medicare line is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Agents cannot be online or call Social Security on a client’s behalf. If applicants are applying in the three months prior to their birthday month, their Medicare Plan A and B coverage should begin the first of the month of their birthday. If the applicant was born on the first of the month, then those benefits begin the first of the month prior. If they apply during their birthday month or in the three months following, their effective date will be the first of the month after they apply. This is new and improved for 2023 due to the Consolidated Appropriations Act (before, people applying during the three months follow ing their birthday faced delays in their effective date). If applicants are applying under a special enrollment period such as loss of employer coverage, they will need to submit the Request for Employment Information form (L564) and the CMS 40 form to Social Security. Note that, due to COVID-19 impact, some applications have been taking lon ger to process. These forms may be mailed, uploaded, faxed or walked into the local Social Security office. Individuals who are able to locate their local Social Security office online through socialsecurity.gov may follow the instructions for submission of the forms. Remind the potential beneficiary to always keep a copy of the forms! Once beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare and have been assigned a Medicare number, it is time to review their coverage options and drill down to what plans will best fit their needs. The completion of a needs-analysis worksheet

CONFERENCES

March 6-8 RISE National

Colorado Springs, CO www.risenational.com March 7 Ritter Insurance Marketing “State of the Senior Market”

King of Prussia, PA www.ritterim.com March 28-29 Medicare Market Innovations Forum Orlando, FL www.medicaremarketinnovations.com April 10-12

MedicareCon Las Vegas, NV https://medicarecon.com/ April 11-14 National Medicare Advantage Summit Virtual Event www.medicareadvantagesummit.com May 2-3 Alabama Chapter Annual Conference and Medicare Summit Vestavia, AL For more information, contact paige@paigephillips.net July 10-11 Ms. Medicare 2023 Cleveland, OH www.msmedicare.org July 13 Central Illinois Chapter Annual Medicare Summit East Peoria, IL For more information, contact info@ciahu.us July 17-19 NABIP Florida Benefits and Medicare Symposium Orlando, FL www.nabipfl.org

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