Medicare Part B deadline approaching
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[February 21, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD -- If you didn't sign up
for Medicare Part B medical insurance when you first became eligible
for Medicare, you now have an opportunity to apply -- but time is
running out. The deadline for applying during the general enrollment
period is March 31. If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait
until 2013 to apply.
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Medicare Part B covers some medical expenses not covered by Medicare
Part A (hospital insurance), such as doctors' fees, outpatient
hospital visits, and other medical supplies and services.
When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you
have a seven-month period in which to sign up for medical insurance
(Part B). After that, you may have to pay a higher premium -- unless
you were covered through your current employer's group health plan
or a group health plan based on a spouse's current employment. You
are given another opportunity to enroll in Part B during the general
enrollment period, from Jan. 1 to March 31 of each year. But each
12-month period that you are eligible for Medicare Part B and do not
sign up, the amount of your monthly premium increases by 10 percent.
There are special situations in which you can apply for Medicare
Part B outside the general enrollment period. For example, you
should contact Social Security about applying for Medicare if:
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You are a disabled
widow or widower between age 50 and age 65, but have not applied
for disability benefits because you are already getting another
kind of Social Security benefit.
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You worked long
enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and
you meet the requirements of the Social Security disability
program and became disabled before age 65.
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You, your spouse, or your dependent
child has permanent kidney failure.
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You can learn more about Medicare by reading the electronic
booklet "Medicare" at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html. Or visit the
Medicare website at
http://www.medicare.gov/. You may also call Medicare at
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
[Text from Judith Bartels, Social
Security district manager in Springfield]
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