Your Medicare guide: 3 must-know tips for new enrollees plus 2 for late retirees

Good health is what helps us enjoy life, whether that means staying active, spending time with loved ones or doing what we love. That’s why Medicare is such an important part of aging well, it helps us take care of our health so we can keep doing the things that matter most. If you’re new to Medicare, get the latest tips to help you when you’re considering your Medicare plan options, plus tips for those looking to retire later.

We won’t dive into the nitty gritty of Medicare in this article, but you can get the basics, understand your plan options and learn how to choose the right plan for your needs on our Resources page.

Tip #1: Think about Medicare early—at age 64

Turning 65 comes with a lot of decisions, and Medicare is one of the biggest. The earlier you start thinking about your options, the more prepared you’ll feel when it’s time to choose a plan.

Most people are first eligible to sign up for Medicare three months before their 65th birthday. If you were born in May, that means you could sign up as early as February the year you turn 65. Starting to research your Medicare plan options before then can give you more peace of mind when it comes time to select your Medicare plan. Plus, it gives you time to find a licensed Medicare sales agent and prepare to meet with them. You are not required to use a Medicare sales agent to enroll in a plan but it is suggested to ensure you understand all your options. Starting the Medicare process earlier will help you feel less rushed and more ready when it’s time to make a decision.

Tip #2: Consider your life and health goals

As the poet Mary Oliver said, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

What do you want to do? Hike mountains? Mentor underserved youth? Complete a 10,000-piece, three-dimensional puzzle? Travel the country? Knowing what you want out of life can help you decide on the right plan and care to support those life goals.

With some Humana Medicare plans,* you may be able to see value-based care (VBC) providers who work as a team to support your whole health. That means you don’t just have a doctor for your medical needs—you may have the option to get a behavioral specialist to support your emotional well-being and a health coach to help with your lifestyle goals. Together, they focus on the big picture, so you have the support you need. Ask your licensed Humana sales agent about value-based care providers in your area and network.

The same goes for figuring out your health goals. Do you want to be more active? Focus on mental wellness? Change what you eat? Do you want to stay in your home? Are finances your primary concern? Figuring out what matters most to you will help you decide which Medicare plan and healthcare provider can best support your health.

A Humana Medicare Advantage plan may offer you access to the care and resources you need. Please note: benefits and combinations of benefits vary by plan and location (for example, you may not be able to enroll in a plan with all of the following benefits listed.) Here’s how enrolling in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan can help you achieve your health goals:

• A Humana Medicare Advantage plan with SilverSneakers^® and Go365^®† benefits may help you move your body and incentivize you to make healthy choices day in and day out.
• A Humana plan with benefits, like an over-the-counter allowance or monthly grocery allowance along with affordable- or $0-cost premiums and copays, can help make healthcare affordable^‡ (benefits, premiums and copays vary by plan and location).**
• A member of Humana’s care team may be able to connect you with government and community resources to help adapt your home, support your financial health, and more, depending on what’s available in your area.

Here’s how your healthcare providers may be able to help you achieve your health goals:

• A behavioral specialist can show you practical ways to handle and process emotions.
• A health coach can help you find low-cost, easy-to-make recipes.
• Your primary care provider can give you exercises to help you maintain your strength and stamina for getting around your home.

Tip #3: Rethink your care

By the time you’re Medicare eligible, you might have had the same doctor for years or even decades. As you age, it can help to have a doctor who understands the unique needs of older adults. Diseases can present differently in older people, making it more difficult for untrained healthcare professionals to diagnose. Older adults may also be at increased risk of adverse drug reactions.

Discover what the right kind of care looks like here, and learn what value-based care is and how it might matter to your health here.

Tips on when to sign up for Medicare for late retirees

If you want to work past 65, here’s what to consider when signing up for Medicare Part A and B.¹

Retiree bonus tip #1: Your type of insurance and the number of employees at the company determine if you should delay Medicare enrollment or not

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, go ahead and sign up for Medicare Part A and B at age 65 to avoid late-enrollment penalties and/or coverage gaps down the line:

• Self-employed?
• Have health insurance that’s not available to everyone at the company?
• Does the employer have less than 20 employees?
• Do you have COBRA coverage?

Retiree bonus tip #2: You might be able to delay Part B enrollment if your/your spouse’s current employer has 20 or more employees

If you have health coverage from your/your spouse’s current employer and the employer has more than 20 employees, you might be able to delay your Part B enrollment without any future penalties. Go ahead and enroll in Part A. Your employer coverage may require that you enroll in Part A and Part B to get your full coverage. Be sure to confirm your situation with your employer or benefits administrator in advance.

It’s also important to note that you cannot contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) once you are enrolled in Medicare. If you have a high-deductible health plan and an HSA through your/your spouse’s current employer with more than 20 employees, you can delay both Part A and Part B enrollment without a penalty.

Get a licensed sales agent

Deciding on the right Medicare plan and when to enroll can be a lengthy and complicated process. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Contact a licensed sales agent to help you sort through your options and find the right plan for you. Get in touch with a licensed Humana sales agent today.