How to Apply for Medicare in Cass County

If you are confused on the process for applying for Medicare in Cass County, you are not alone! Throughout the U.S., 10,000 people turn 65 every day and every single one of them has questions on how to choose Medicare plans. Understanding Medicare eligibility and Medicare enrollment is a challenge!

When Am I Eligible for Medicare Enrollment in Cass County?

Medicare eligibility in Cass County starts during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) surrounding your 65^th birthday. Eligibility begins the three months before your birthday, the month of, and the three months after your 65^th birthday. In order to enroll in Medicare programs, you must have been a U.S. citizen for at least five consecutive years before the federal government will automatically enroll you in Medicare Parts A & B, also known as Original Medicare.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Original Medicare, which you are automatically enrolled in if you meet minimum eligibility requirements, includes Medicare Part A and Part B.

What is Medicare Part A? The first part of Original Medicare provided by the federal government includes inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing services, hospice care, certain blood transfusions, and impatient mental health. You do not have to pay premiums with Part A if you have paid into Social Security for at least 10 years. If you have not paid in for enough time, or if you enroll after your IEP, then your monthly premiums will be higher.

What is Medicare Part B? Part B has the same rules as Part A for eligibility and pays for:

• Necessary doctor visits and services
• Outpatient hospital visits, mental health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy
• Ambulance
• Laboratory services
• Durable medical equipment including wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, etc.
• Some preventive care, diagnostic screenings, and skilled nursing
• Dental, vision, and hearing only in certain limited situations

Monthly premiums in Part B are based on yearly income and enrolling after your IEP can cause higher premiums. All premiums are automatically deducted from your Social Security benefits. There is no maximum out-of-pocket for Part B, but there are situational coverage limits that you should discuss with a Medicare insurance expert.

There are certain costs that will affect your Cass County healthcare coverage for Part A and B that you can explore on our Medicare page. To sign up for Medicare Part A, you can enroll at your local Social Security office if you have not paid into Social Security long enough. Enrolling in Medicare Part B should be done during your IEP or the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) which spans October through December.

Additional Medicare Coverage Options from Private Companies

Medicare Part A and B will not provide all the coverage you need and there will be out-of-pocket costs. To help control your costs, you have the option to buy Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicare Part D, or Medicare Advantage from private companies to help cover additional healthcare costs in Cass County. The Medicare plans you can choose from include:

• Option 1: Medicare Supplemental Insurance which covers some or all of the costs that are not covered by Parts A & B and/or Medicare Part D which covers prescription drug costs.
• Option 2: Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, which combines Parts A & B to provide additional benefits. Most Part C plans cover prescription drug costs.

Adams Insurance Services, LLC provides these Medicare plans through the many Medicare providers we work with. Our personalized service and face-to-face consultations ensure we will find the perfect plan that meets your needs.

Our Cass County Medicare Insurance Providers

Here are the many Medicare providers in Wichita we work with to provide Medicare Part D plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplemental plans.