You are eligible to sign up for Medicare A & B when you turn 65. Part A is $0 premium, Part B is $202.90/month in 2026 unless your income is high https://bit.ly/IRMAA2026 or you qualify for a low income program. To prevent lifetime penalties, you must sign up for Medicare A and B unless you have group insurance you want to keep, but there are some rules about that to prevent late enrollment penalties.
First step – Enroll in Medicare A and B
Enrollment period is 7 months - Birthday month and the three months before and after.
You can sign up online at https://www.ssa.gov/ (Medicare tab – sign up for Medicare)
You can also sign up on the phone at 800-772-1213 8am-7pm Monday-Friday.
You can sign up in person at the Social Security Office. Tulsa address is 14002 E 21st St Unit 900 (old Eastland Mall) but you must first call 800-772-1213 or 918-938-6600 for appointment.
IMPORTANT – It is taking 4 weeks or more to process Medicare applications, so don’t delay!
Second Step - Once you have signed up for A and B you will need to decide how to get coverage for what Medicare does not pay. We can help you weigh your options. Call us at 918-289-2607 for help with this step.
Option 1 is Medicare Supplement – Medicare pays, then supplement pays (cost is additional premium per month depending on which plan or company. You will need a separate Part D plan with an additional premium.
Option 2 is Medicare Advantage which includes part D coverage. Plan premium is $0 to very low. Covers everything Medicare covers. Has a network of doctors. Can include Dental, Vision, Hearing, Gym Membership, Over the Counter benefit (vitamins, aspirin, toothpaste.. too much to mention.) There are many companies and plans so best to have a local agent who understands how the plans in your area work, hospital and doctor networks, and compare to get the benefits suited to your needs. Medicare Advantage has copays when you receive care and a Maximum out of pocket. (Copays vary by company and plan.)
Other important facts:
You can elect to continue group coverage if you are still working and not sign up for Medicare although some groups require you to get Medicare - you can use group coverage as secondary – best to check with HR. You will need a letter from employer to sign up late.
· If you have ACA coverage eligibility and subsidy ends when eligibility for Medicare begins.
· If you do not sign up for Medicare within the first year of eligibility and do not have other coverage (group) there is a 10% per year late enrollment penalty.
· If you do not get Part D coverage and do not have coverage, there is a penalty after 63 days.
· Penalties last for life.
There are special plans if you have diabetes or heart conditions - ask me!
There are special plans if you are eligible by income for Medicaid.
There are also programs to help with prescription costs and pay part B premium based on income.
Every year between October 15 and December 7 is Annual Enrollment Period, when you can change to a different Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
Medicare Supplements are Guaranteed Issue when first eligible for Medicare, after that you must answer medical underwriting questions and can be denied or rated up.
There is a new Birthday rule. In Oklahoma in the 60 day period after your birthday you can switch from your current Medicare Supplement to a different lower cost Med Sup without underwriting.
No underwriting for Medicare advantage - ever.