Page 7 - Evaluation for 2018

Your Enrollment Checklist

Make sure that your Medicare card indicates that your Part A and Part B coverage will start on
the date you've chosen (if you are older than 65, you may have already begun your Part A
coverage). If you began your Social Security payments before you turned 65, you will be
automatically enrolled at age 65. Otherwise, call Social Security (800-772-1213) to enroll.

Review your evaluation and decide which type of coverage you want. If you do not have an
employer retiree or union plan to supplement Medicare, you have two choices:

OR

Medicare Advantage Plan Medigap Policy + Stand-alone
prescription drug plan
Before enrolling in an Advantage plan,
verify that the providers you want to see Before buying a Medigap policy, call at
are in the plan’s network — you can least three insurance companies for

either ask the plan or ask your providers’ quotes. Choose a large insurer that has
offices. Providers include physicians, clin- low premiums.
ics, physical therapists, and hospitals.
Enroll in a stand-alone prescription drug
plan that is among the lowest-cost plans
To enroll in an Advantage plan, call the
for the drugs you take. To enroll, call the
plan’s toll-free number (on pages 2-3 of
plan’s toll-free number (on page 4 of your
your evaluation) or (800) MEDICARE.
evaluation) or (800) MEDICARE.

Ask if your prescriptions can be transferred from your current plan to the plan in which you are
enrolling. In many cases, prescriptions can be transferred among plans.

During the first 12 months that you have Part B, you are entitled to a free “Welcome to
Medicare” physical. Ask your primary care doctor about it.

Avoid billing problems

On your first visits to your doctors after your Medicare coverage begins, show the office staff
your enrollment cards for Medicare and for the supplemental plan(s) you have chosen. And on
your first visit to your pharmacy after your Medicare coverage begins, show the pharmacy staff
the enrollment card for your new prescription drug coverage. Even if you get mail-order refills,
your local pharmacy should have your insurance information for short-term prescriptions.