Dear Friends,
In this very uncertain era, those of us who are about to turn 65 and have experienced – or will soon be experiencing - a job loss might wonder what do to about Medicare.
Here are a few tips.
The initial enrollment period for Medicare is:
- Three months before your birthday month
- Your birthday month
- Three months after your birthday month.
- If you enroll during the three months before your birthday, your Medicare will start on the first day of your birthday month
- If you enroll during your birthday month, your Medicare will begin the month AFTER your birthday month
- If you enroll in the 3 months after your birthday month, your enrollment will be delayed until the month AFTER you enroll
The best way to enroll is online. For this, you will need to create a Social Security online account. Visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare and follow the directions.
Many Social Security offices are closed because of COVID-19. If you cannot enroll online, you will need to enroll by calling Social Security at 800.772.1213.
It normally takes four weeks for Social Security to process a Medicare application, so it is best not to delay. With so many people out sick or working remotely, it might take even longer to process applications.
What to do if you still have active coverage through your job or your union? If you are confident that your active coverage will continue beyond your initial 7-month Medicare enrollment period, you should still enroll in Part A. It has no premium – as long as you have worked 10 years in the U.S. and paid your Medicare taxes. Enrolling in Part A will give you a Medicare number, and this will make enrolling in Part B – which has a monthly premium – very easy when you are about to lose your active coverage.
It is important to know that if you elect COBRA, Medicare does not consider COBRA as “active” coverage, and will impose late enrollment penalties if you choose it rather than enrolling in Medicare Part B. If you have any misgivings about changing your insurance right now, please know that Medicare covers both testing and treatment for COVID-19. Furthermore, the premiums are less than most COBRA premiums.
With everyone’s health and safety in mind, it’s become necessary to close our Los Angeles, New York and Chicago offices and temporarily transition our in-person program offerings to online and phone meetings.
We continue to offer our weekly Welcome to Medicare Seminar online every Monday at 1 pm ET. Please follow this link to register.
If you need guidance on how to make the best choices for your own situation during this very uncertain era, if you’re in the Eastern and Central Regions, please contact the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center at 917.281.5975. If you’re in the Western Region, please contact Entertainment Health Insurance Solutions at 833.777.EHIS (3447).
Yours in good health,
Debbie Kraus
Health Benefits Specialist
Do you work in performing arts and entertainment and have questions about health insurance? The Actors Fund provides assistance nationally. Contact our regional office closest to you to speak to a counselor.
New York City
917.281.5975
Los Angeles
855.491.3357
Don’t forget to use the resources section of our website. It contains tools to help you make decisions about your health insurance, including new online tutorials on how to choose providers and how to read an Explanation of Benefits. In addition, you’ll find an updated Stage Managers National Health Directory, our national online directory of health care providers recommended by industry professionals that can be used by theaters and touring companies. For these resources and more, visit actorsfund.org/HealthServices. You can also find out more about enrollment assistance and upcoming health insurance seminars near you!