Signing Up for Medicare at 65 or Retirement: Medicare Enrollment Near You in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

How Much Does Medicare Cost at Age 65, and Is Medicare Free at Age 65?

My help comes at no extra cost to you. Plan premiums are generally the same whether you enroll through me or directly with the insurance company. Medicare itself isn’t free, though. Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for about 10 years, and people who didn’t may be able to buy it. Part B has a standard monthly premium set each year, and people with higher incomes pay more. Part B also has a yearly deductible, and after that you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most services.

Whatever you add on top, whether that’s a Medigap plan, a Part D plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan, has its own premium and cost sharing. That’s why I give you a full-year estimate for each option that includes the premium, deductible, copays, expected drug costs, and the out-of-pocket maximum where the plan has one. All quotes are estimates and aren’t final until you’re enrolled. If your income and resources are limited, you may qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program, and I’ll help you find out whether you do.

Do You Have to Sign Up for Medicare at 65 if You’re Still Working?

Not always. If you have health coverage through your own or your spouse’s current job at an employer with 20 or more employees, you can usually delay Part B without a penalty and sign up later during a Special Enrollment Period. With a smaller employer, Medicare usually pays first, so delaying Part B can be costly. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you’ll be enrolled automatically, and you can choose to turn down Part B if your job-based coverage qualifies. I’ll help you check how your employer plan works with Medicare before you decide.

Who Is Not Eligible for Medicare at Age 65?

To qualify at 65, you generally need to be a U.S. citizen, or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years in a row. People who don’t meet those requirements generally aren’t eligible. A short work history doesn’t necessarily keep you out of Medicare: if you or your spouse didn’t pay Medicare taxes long enough, you may still be able to buy Part A and enroll in Part B. If you’re not sure where you stand, I’ll help you figure out your next steps, including other coverage options if Medicare isn’t available to you yet.

Can I Have Both Employer Insurance and Medicare?

Yes. Many people keep job-based coverage and have Medicare at the same time. The two work together through coordination of benefits, meaning one pays first and the other pays second. Which one pays first usually depends on whether the coverage comes from current employment and on the employer’s size. Having both makes sense in some situations and adds cost without much benefit in others, so I’ll look at your employer plan’s costs and coverage next to your Medicare options.

Is There a Penalty for Not Signing Up for Medicare When I Turn 65?

There can be. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible and don’t have coverage based on current employment, you may pay a Part B late-enrollment penalty that usually lasts as long as you have Part B. If you go 63 days or more in a row without Part D or other creditable drug coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period, you may pay a Part D penalty as well. Coverage from current employment, and drug coverage your plan confirms is creditable, can protect you from these penalties. I’ll help you confirm yours before you delay anything.

What’s the First Step in Signing Up for Medicare at 65?

If you’re not enrolled automatically, you sign up for Part A and Part B through Social Security, online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at a local office. Aim to apply during the three months before your birthday month so your coverage can start on time. Before you apply, it helps to know whether you’ll keep any employer coverage, since that affects whether you need Part B right away. Think of it as a turning 65 Medicare checklist: confirm your eligibility, decide on your Part B timing, then choose how you’ll fill in the rest of your coverage. I offer help with Medicare enrollment in Fort Lauderdale and across South Florida, and I’ll walk through each step with you.

My Husband Is Retiring and I Need Health Insurance. What Are My Options?

If your spouse is retiring and you’ve been on their employer plan, you’ll need your own coverage when that plan ends. If you’re 65 or older, you can generally sign up for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period, since your coverage was based on your spouse’s current employment. If you’re under 65, losing that coverage generally qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Marketplace plan, and you may qualify for financial help depending on your household income. COBRA may also be available. I’ll compare these options side by side so you’re not left with a gap.

Do You Offer Every Medicare Plan in My Area?

No. Being independent means I compare plans from multiple carriers, but I don’t offer every plan. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 65 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. 1-800-MEDICARE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. In Florida, you can also get unbiased Medicare counseling through the state’s SHIP program, called SHINE.

Can You Help With Medicare at 65 if I Live Outside South Florida?

Yes, if you live in one of the 33 states where I’m licensed. Most of my clients are in South Florida, where we can meet at my office in Fort Lauderdale or at your home in Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach counties. Clients in other states work with me by phone or Zoom. Either way, I reply within 24 to 48 hours.