By Byron Moore, posted October 15, 2018
Originally published in the News-Star and the Shreveport Times on Sunday, October 14, 2018.
Question: I turn 65 this year, but I’m still working. Do I need to sign up for Medicare? I don’t really understand how it works.
Answer: Like so many other things in life…that depends.
According to www.medicare.gov, you can sign up for Medicare (part A and/or B) during the so-called Initial Enrollment Period - anywhere from three months prior to the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and three months after the month you turn 65. That’s seven months total if you’re counting.
So, what’s this about part A & part B? This is the original Medicare.
Back when Medicare was first created (1965), it was conceived as a combination hospitalization and medical plan. So, part A pays for hospital stays and most of the charges relating to that.
Part B pays for so-called medical costs (most often related to visits to your doctor’s office, rather than the hospital).
