Medicaid can be known under different names depending on what state you live in. Medicaid is financial aid that is given to people, regardless of age, based on financial need. Medicaid is broken up into multiple areas of help, from at home community care to food stamps. You can have Medicare and Medicaid, Medicare alone or Medicaid alone. All of these programs have different rules and regulations regarding availability and need.

Your first, and best, step is to contact us. We can help you navigate the Medicare system quickly and answer your questions directly.

If you are already receiving social security and NOT on an employer’s insurance, you will probably be automatically enrolled and receive your card in the mail.

If you are working and receiving your employer’s insurance and/or you are not taking your social security the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid) probably are not planning on automatically enrolling you into Medicare.

Your two best options are:

• Making an account on WWW.SSA.GOV you can start the process directly from there.
• Going to your local Social Security office

If you are eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits, enroll in Medicare by calling the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or contacting your local RRB field office.

Keep proof of when you tried to enroll in Medicare, to protect yourself from incurring a Part B premium penalty if your application is lost.

Take down the names of any representatives you speak to, along with the time and date of the conversation.

If you enroll through the mail, use certified mail and request a return receipt.

If you enroll at your local Social Security office, ask for a written receipt.

If you apply online, print out and save your confirmation page.

If you are eligible for automatic enrollment, you should not have to contact anyone. You should receive a package in the mail three months before your coverage starts with your new Medicare card. There will also be a letter explaining how Medicare works and that you were automatically enrolled in both Parts A and B. If you get Social Security retirement benefits, your package and card will come from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

There are several programs for people with low incomes that help pay for Medicare-related costs, such as premiums and copays. Some of these programs are federal, and others are state-specific. Find out whether you meet the eligibility requirements and take full advantage.

What resources exist to help you navigate Medicare? Medicare is a complex and beneficial program, and a variety of trusted sources can help you navigate your rights and options. A few are listed here:

• Local ADRC can help you with local benefits and local options.
• The Social Security Administration will have documentation on Federal options.

Online and Medicare.gov as well as your local Medicaid Website

Part D is the Federal Pharmaceutical program run by CMS. You must enroll in Part D prescription drug coverage when you become eligible for Medicare (assuming you do not have other creditable drug coverage) or you may face a penalty for each month you do not have credible coverage. However, there are many Part D options for you to explore. Keep in mind, too, that sometimes retiree insurance offers prescription drug coverage that is as good as or better than Medicare Part D. If that is the case, you might decide not to take Part D because you are already covered. Options like the VA and state pharmaceutical programs might be viable options as well. Finally, if you have difficulty affording your drug costs, you may want to consider applying for programs that can help pay these costs.

Everyone has different health care needs and Healthcare options. Work insurance, to the VA, from marketplace to small business self-funded health insurance plans. There is no one right answer. The first step is deciding what type of insurance you need, from there focus on what options are available for that need.  Medicare.gov, and Healthcare.gov are two great places to start doing your research.

Medicare is a complex program and can sometimes be confusing. It is offered to people who reach the age of 65 and/or for people with permanent disabilities it can start sooner.  The best place to start when you are new to Medicare is to familiarize yourself with the differences between Medicare and the health insurance you have now. Learn what makes a person eligible for Medicare, the different parts of Medicare insurance and what those parts cover, times to enroll in Medicare, and how putting off enrollment can result in penalties. These initial steps will help smooth the transition from your current insurance to Medicare once you are eligible.