basic question: do i need to choose my plan when I apply for medicare?

[escape]

I did a search but unearthed nothing. when i apply for medicare, is there an approval process before i actually choose my plan or do i have to be ready with that choice.

Thank you!

 

[Jerry1]

You apply and then you’ll have time to select before your effective date. You need your Medicare number in order to actually select/enroll in a plan.

 

[MichaelB]

I did a search but unearthed nothing. when i apply for medicare, is there an approval process before i actually choose my plan or do i have to be ready with that choice.

Thank you!

Just to confirm, you’re talking about choosing a MediGap Supplemental plan?

If so, Jerry1 is right. You need your Medicare number to enroll in a MediGap,plan.

 

[sengsational]

You have several months to pick a Medicare Supplemental policy and still get the same rate, without underwriting. I think 3 months, but that's unresearched. Call any provider and after they waste your time trying to sell you a Medicare Advantage policy, ask them how long after my Medicare effective date can I buy the supplemental policy without underwriting.

 

[stedmakr]

You are not required to make a decision about which Medicare path or insurance plan you would like to enroll in when your enroll in Medicare. You should decide on a path and plan prior to the enrollment date and have the insurance begin on your enrollment date.

Reach out to your local SHIP office for assistance. SHIP volunteers offer free, unbiased and confidential one on one counseling for future and current Medicare counseling. One on one counseling takes place via phone, ZOOM and face to face at counseling sites. Google "Medicare SHIP" to find a local referal number. A trained volunteer will walk you through your Medicare options, decision criteria, timelines and costs.

 

[Sarah S]

Agree that you don’t have to pick Just fyi you can see your medicare number on the website after approval you don’t have to wait for the physical card to sign up for the supplement and d in my experience and expect same for medicare advantage. In my case it was only a few days after applying that I saw the approval

If you know what you want and it is a supplement you can probably skip the sales pitch. I got the sales person first but told him I had already decided and he transferred me to the sign up person. YMMV

 

[Pluperfect]

Back in 2022, I did a bunch of research before actually signing up for Medicare. Then when the beginning of my enrollment period happened, I was tired from all the research. So I let everything lie there and waited until the beginning of April to enroll for coverage starting May 1, and wouldn't you know, there was some sort of glitch that was preventing people from being issued Medicare numbers. Not receiving the card, but being issued the number. And you have to have a Medicare number to buy a supplement.

It caused a tense couple of weeks that could have been avoided if I'd signed up for Medicare on the first day I could, just to get it in place, and then started sorting everything out.