Eligibility Requirements for Medicare Coverage in Massachusetts

United States government administered social insurance program, Medicare, provides health insurance in Massachusetts to the people aged 65 or above, people who are completely disabled, or in special circumstances like people suffering from end stage renal disease.

Before Medicare amendment, a mere 51% of people aged 65 years or more had Massachusetts health insurance coverage. As per rules laid down by the government, there are certain eligibility requirements to enroll in different Massachusetts Medicare programs. Let’s take a brief look at them.

Eligibility and Enrollment:
Majority of the people residing in Massachusetts are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B three months before their 65th birthday or in 25th month of their disability. Such people get red, white and blue Medicare card as a proof of their enrollment.

A person needs to sign up for Massachusetts Medicare Parts A and B in case:

• He or she is not getting social security or Railroad Retirement Board Benefits (for example, people who are already working).
• The person is suffering from end stage renal disease.

Where to sign up for Massachusetts Part A and B coverage?

• There is no need to drive down to your nearest Social security office to enroll in Massachusetts Medicare program. Just fill in the online application to sign up for Medicare, all it takes is 10 minutes of your time. People can apply even when they still have time for their retirement.

In majority of the cases an electronic application is the only thing required from a person. A representative from Social Security will contact you in case any information is needed.

• Visit your local social security office.
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
• People who worked at railroad, call 1-877-772-5772

When to sign up for Massachusetts Part A and B coverage?
Every person who is eligible for the first time gets an Initial Enrollment Period of seven months for sign up. This period starts from three months before a person turns 65, the month they turn 65 and three months after that.

In case a person missed to sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period, he or she can do so during the General Enrollment Period which is normally from January 1 to March 31 every year.

People who have Massachusetts group Medicare Health Insurance plan coverage under current employment can sign up during Special Enrollment Period where upon they can sign up anytime as long as their spouse is working.

There is another Special Enrollment Period of eight months starting from the last month of employment or the group insurance under current employment ends, whichever falls earlier.

When does the Massachusetts Medicare Coverage Begin?
People who sign up for Massachusetts Medicare Parts A and/or B during the first three months of the Initial Enrollment Period the coverage will start from the first day of the birthday month, except in cases where the birthday falls on the first day of the month.

For example: Mr. Ben’s 65th birthday is on July 21, 2012. So if he signs up for Medicare in the month of April, May or June. His coverage will start from July 1, 2012.

A person whose birthday falls on the first day of the month, their coverage starts on the first day of the previous month.

Read Complete Guide to Connecticut Medicare Insurance

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