10 Steps to Take After You Sign Up for Medicare

If you or your spouse is still working, Medicare coverage gets more complex. You have to think about:

• Separate insurance for a younger spouse not yet eligible for Medicare

• The size of your spouse’s or your employer and how that private coverage works with Medicare

• How COBRA coverage, continuation of your employer’s insurance when you’ve retired or been laid off, can complement Medicare — but only if you’re offered it after age 65

So the more you understand the process, the better.

7. Be curious

Do you anticipate a visit to the chiropractor or plan to travel outside the United States? What Medicare covers — and important areas it does not — can be confusing. Learn more before you talk to your physician.

Learn more before you talk to your physician. Several government agencies and nonprofit services also can answer questions.

8. Make sure your finances are in order

If money is tight and you’re worried about paying your Medicare premiums or copayments, check into Medicare’s programs for beneficiaries with limited incomes and not much savings. Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can pay your monthly Part B premium and potentially other out-of-pocket expenses. Extra Help can help with Part D prescription drug plan premiums and copayments.

9. Keep track of what you like and don’t

As you figure out what’s working for you and what isn’t in the coverage you’ve selected, remember this: You can change your coverage during the annual open enrollment period every Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

As you age, you will likely need to visit doctors more, get more medical tests and take more prescription drugs. Take an active role in your health care and review your plans every year, especially Part D if you’re in original Medicare and your Medicare Advantage plan if you decided on the all-in-one private alternative to original Medicare.

You may discover that the list of covered costs, doctors, drugs or pharmacies will be changing next year for your Medicare Advantage plan, or that copayments, coinsurance, drug coverage or pharmacies won’t stay the same for your Part D prescription plan.

Don’t get surprised. Check out changes in your plan and do some comparison shopping.

10. Learn more    

AARP’s Medicare Resource Center has the answers to hundreds of your questions about all facets of Medicare.