Making a plan for your Medicare coverage can help save you a lot of stress and worry when it comes time to enroll. One of the most important aspects to Medicare you’ll need to understand is when you’ll actually be able to enter the program and start using your coverage. In this very short guide, we’ll review the Kansas Medicare eligibility requirements for 2022 plans.

Original Medicare - Kansas Medicare Eligibility Requirements For 2022 Plans

No matter what kinds of private insurance you decide to incorporate into your overall plan, you’ll need to be enrolled in Original Medicare, Parts A and B. Part A provides hospital coverage, while Part B gives you medical benefits. Together, they form the backbone of your coverage in retirement.

Medicare was designed for retirees, so the main rule for entry is that you have to be 65 years old. This is known as “aging into” Medicare, and it’s how most people get their coverage. While this is the case for most people, there are times when you might actually enter early, like if you meet certain disability or illness requirements. It’s also possible that you might delay your entry into Medicare, particularly Part B. This would happen when you’ve decided to keep working past age 65 and you’re still covered by your employer plan. Whenever you actually retire or lose your coverage, you’ll have the chance to enroll in Part B at that time.

Assuming that you don’t delay taking Part B, you’ll have a seven month enrollment window during which you can enroll in Part B. This window, which is called your Initial Election Period (IEP), begins three months before the month you turn 65. Your IEP will end at the end of the third month after the month you turn 65. You’re allowed to enroll in Medicare at any time during your IEP. If you enter Medicare by turning 65, your entry could be automatic if you’re already receiving Social Security retirement benefits when you turn 65. Otherise, you’ll have to enroll manually.

If you qualify to enter Medicare early, because of disability or illness, your entry will be automatic.

Once you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, it’s time to consider your options for private Medicare coverage.

What Are The Kansas Medicare Eligibility Requirements For 2022 Plans - Private Coverage?

Since Original Medicare (Parts A and B) won’t cover all of your health care or costs, most people decide to add at least one of the three kinds of private Medicare Insurance:

• Medicare Part D drug plans
• Part C Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicare Supplement Insurance (also known as Medigap coverage)

To enter a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, you just have to be enrolled in Part A or Part B. You don’t have to have them both, and there’s no minimum age requirement.

For Medicare Advantage coverage, you have to be active in both Part A and B before you can enroll. There is no minimum age for Medicare Advantage, so you can get this coverage if you enter Medicare early.

The rules for Medicare Supplement Insurance are more complicated. Not every state requires Medigap insurers to offer coverage to people under 65, even if they qualify for Medicare. Fortunately, though, Kansas has very generous under age 65 Medigap rules in place. Not only are insurers required to offer Medigap coverage, they’re also required to charge the same rates as they do for 65 and above Medicare beneficiaries. This is a fairly rare and valuable benefit. This means that if you’re younger than 65 when you meet the Kansas Medicare eligibility requirements for 2022 plans, you’ll have the full-complement of private plan options available to you.