While you can’t sign your parents up for Medicare, you can help in other ways. You can help them compare plans, work with agents, and help them sign up for Medicare. Start by learning more about Medicare so you can answer their questions and prepare them for their new health insurance.
Malhotra & Assoc. Insurance has a team of Medicare experts versed in all things Medicare. We can help you assist your parents with comparing plans, signing up for Medicare, and more. Contact us today for additional information.
Comparing Plans
You can help them through the process of comparing plans.
Each fall, if your parents are signed up for a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, their plan contract will need to be renewed or they will need to switch to a different plan. This gives you the opportunity to help them compare plans again. Each plan will vary in the coverage and pricing they offer. Available plans in your parents’ service area will have a star rating, which you can use as a guide to compare plans on the basis of customer service, member complaints, and more. Fine-tune the search for your parents by helping them compare the plans available to them.
Working with Agents
You can help them work with agents.
You will find that there are many plans available of varying coverage and costs. On top of that, you will need to coordinate when your parents need to sign up or renew their contracts. By working with an experienced agent or a team of agents, you can help your parents find the assistance they need to navigate the ins and outs of Medicare.
Signing Up for Medicare
You can help them sign up for Medicare.
When your parents turn 65, they have an initial enrollment period. This is a seven-month window during which they can first sign up for Medicare. If they are still working, they can keep their employer group health coverage but we recommend signing up for Part A as soon as they are eligible.
You should know that there are late enrollment penalties for Medicare Part B and Part D. If your parents do not sign up when they are first eligible, they will be charged based on how long they went without creditable coverage. Certain circumstances, such as continuing to work past age 65, can give them a special enrollment period that waives these penalties.
To sign up for Medicare, your parents can apply through Medicare’s website, call Medicare, or schedule an appointment with their local Social Security office. You can assist them in scheduling an appointment or helping them find the forms and documentation needed to sign up.
Help Them Understand Medicare
An important way you can be of help to your parents is to learn about Medicare. Read up on the Medicare website or view their “Medicare & You” Handbook for updated information on the parts of Medicare, its costs, and more. Our agents at Malhotra & Assoc. Insurance can help you find the answers you need to guide your parents as they become Medicare beneficiaries.
Disclaimer: This blog post is meant for general informational purposes only and may not reflect your specific policy.
