TERRE HAUTE — If you are covered under Medicare Part A but originally opted not to apply for Medicare Part B, now’s your opportunity to enroll in Part B. The general enrollment period runs from Jan. 1 through March 31.
But first, you may be wondering: What are Parts A and B? And why would someone get one and not the other? Here are the nuts and bolts.
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay, some home health care, and hospice care.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies not covered by hospital insurance.
When you first become eligible to apply for Medicare Part A, you also have the option of enrolling in Part B for a monthly premium. Some people decide not to because they do not want to pay the premium or for other reasons. But you may discover that as your medical needs change, it is to your advantage to enroll. That’s where enrollment periods come into play.
When you first become eligible for Part A, you have a seven-month period (your initial enrollment period) in which to sign up for Part B. After the initial enrollment period, you can only sign up during a later year’s general enrollment period.
Each year, the Medicare general enrollment period runs Jan. 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins the following July. But keep in mind that, for most people, the monthly premium increases 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for but did not enroll in Medicare Part B.
So if you are covered under Medicare Part A and you’ve been thinking about applying for Part B, now is the time to act. Learn more about Medicare by reading Social Security’s publication on the subject at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html. You also can learn a lot about Medicare by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov and selecting “Medicare” at the top of the page on the right side.
Or visit Medicare’s Web site, www.medicare.gov.
Seniors
Social Security: Been thinking about Medicare Part B?
- Seniors
-
-
New definition places more seniors in poverty category
A Terre Haute woman in her mid-80s is a very good example of why a new Census Bureau measure reveals more seniors living in poverty.
-
Wabash Senior Center planning trips for all ages
Have you ever been to Europe? How about the Canadian Rockies? The Wabash Senior Center has reserved two very special trips for people of all ages. The first trip that the Senior Center has scheduled is Dec. 9-17 to “Europe’s Christmas Markets.”
-
Senior apartments complex opening this month
Dozens of Terre Haute-area seniors are lining up for the newly constructed Park Place apartments on the city’s south side.
-
Social Security: Beat the holiday rush: Go online
Another Christmas has come and gone, yet if you are like me there is still much you need to do during the holiday season. Probably the last thing on your list is spending precious time at a Social Security office, waiting to conduct business, especially if you don’t need to.
-
Protect yourself from Social Security number fraud
If you’ve been following the news over the past week, you may have noticed reports about Social Security number fraud, specifically that there is a 1 in 7 chance that someone else may have used your number.
-
Dine with a Doc Tuesday, Wednesday
Senior Education Ministries, Inc. has scheduled Dine with a Doc on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Senior Menu: Nov. 29-Dec. 3
-
Social Security: Open season for Medicare program
When you think of November, you may imagine such things as turkey dinners, family gatherings, or the start of the holiday shopping season.
But newly entitled and current Medicare beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan might think of November as the time for thinking about Medicare. -
Social Security offers many benefits, wealth of info for veterans
On this Thursday we honor our nation’s veterans for their service to America.
-
‘60 Plus’ group, conservative alternative to AARP, seeking to expand in Indiana
The chairman of a senior advocacy group hopes to tap into a concern over national health care to gain new members in Indiana.
James L. Martin said he started The 60 Plus Association in 1992 “as a competitor with the AARP [American Association of Retired Persons]. We are for limited government and are more right of center philosophically. The AARP is a more liberal philosophy. They sell a lot of products, we don’t. We’re hawking limited government and less taxes.” -
Planning to move? Don’t forget to contact Social Security
Moving can be hectic. Some studies show that relocating is one of the greatest stresses we face in our lives. Whether you are moving nearby or across the country, don’t forget Social Security if you are a beneficiary.
-
Agency hoping for Foundation grant
Terre Haute resident Mary Baker owns an automobile, but says she can’t drive it to Indianapolis to seek medical attention.
-
Groups need senior transportation info
There is a need in Vigo and surrounding counties for transportation services for medical purposes to Indianapolis, and there is a need for door-to-door evening transportation for seniors.
-
Dine with a Doc at Senior Center
Senior Education Ministries, Inc. has scheduled Dine with a Doc from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center at 300 S. 5th St. in Terre Haute.
-
Social Security: Ensure retirement, disability, survivors protection for farm workers
If you’re a farm worker, it’s likely that you’re busy right now.
The spring planting season has ended, but the farm work has only begun. - Senior Menu: June 24, 2010
-
Parkinson’s support group meeting Friday at Westminster Village
The Parkinson’s support group will meet Friday at Westminster Village, 1120 E. Davis Drive, Terre Haute.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: People agree, applying for Medicare online is quick, easy
We’ve been telling people how quick and easy it is to apply for Medicare benefits online – even if you’re not ready to apply for retirement benefits.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: SS helps survivors of fallen service members
Families of fallen military service members bear significant burdens from the loss of their loved one. Lives are changed forever. Aside from the emotional devastation, the financial hardships placed on such families can be difficult. Often, if a death occurs, a two-income household must make do with one income.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Attention students: Are you ready for your summer jobs?
Summer is right around the corner. Now is the time to plan for that summer job you really want.
Whether you find the perfect outdoor job at a summer camp or the local golf course, or you get to practice your people skills in retail, fast food or an amusement park, one thing’s for sure: Nothing’s better than having fun this summer while earning a few extra dollars. -
SOCIAL SECURITY: New 'twist' in law may help your mom
Mom has always been there to nurture and take care of you. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to give back and look out for her. If she’s having a hard time paying for her prescription drugs, tell her about the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and the extra help available through Social Security.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Call SS toll-free anytime
Telephones certainly have made our lives easier. Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without your cell phone? Now imagine life without telephones at all.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Here's to a green planet in retirement
Social Security has been practicing environmental stewardship since long before “going green” was a fashionable catch-phrase.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Ticket to Work offers free support services
Millions of disabled and blind Americans receive monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income payments. Some receive both. Most also have help in paying medical bills from Medicare or Medicaid.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Most convenient SS office is online
You probably don’t need anyone to tell you that times are tough for many people right now. The past year has seen a recession-driven increase in applications for Social Security retirement and disability benefit applications. These increases translate into busier offices and telephone lines.
-
Social Security has rich history full of facts
When you think of Social Security, you probably think about a monthly payment for retired and disabled workers. But Social Security has a rich history full of interesting facts.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: SS shares March reminders
Time goes by so quickly, it can be easy to forget important deadlines and even easier to let critical items fall to the nether regions of your to-do list. Whether you get to everything or not, time marches on — so we’d like to share some March reminders with you.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: SS launches Open Government page
In support of President Barack Obama’s Transparency and Open Government initiative, Social Security has launched a new Open Government Web page.
- Social Security: Been thinking about Medicare Part B? If you are covered under Medicare Part A but originally opted not to apply for Medicare Part B, now’s your opportunity to enroll in Part B. The general enrollment period runs from Jan. 1 through March 31.
- Social Security showcases history in 75th year What you may not have realized when you rang in 2010 was that you also were ringing in the 75th anniversary of Social Security.
- More Seniors Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Astronauts Enter World's 1st Private Supply Ship
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Today in History
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Shell Readies Arctic Drill Ship
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Beer Here!: An Historic Exhibit
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Sudden Storm Topples Wisconsin Trees
Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
