My Medicare starts soon, what do I do next?

[Sam Hobbs]

I become 65 in September and my Medicare ("Original Medicare") becomes active then. I already have my Medicare card. I think I know what clinic to choose but I do not know what to do next. Do I select the clinic or must I choose a plan first? Everything I find when I search are too general for me. I am not sure what applies to me.

I have a MyMedicare.gov account.

 

[Nick@UMA]

If you look into Medicare supplement options such as Plan F, Plan G, or Plan N, you will not need to select a clinic first. Supplement plans have no network restrictions so any doctor or specialist that accepts Medicare will accept any supplement you choose. If you have more questions, feel free to email me at nicholas.hidaka@unitedmedicareadvisors.com

 

[Sam Hobbs]

Thank you.

I am unemployed in California so I qualify for Medicare and Medi-Cal (Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid). So I qualify for Original Medicare (Part A & B) and Medi-Cal pays for Part D.

From that website I contacted a HICAP representative (others not in Los Angeles apparently can go to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs to locate a HICAP representative for their area). She informed me that I can just use Original Medicare. She said that I need to have a provider for Part D but Medicare had already chosen one for me.

I understand that I can go for Advantage (and other?) plans but I think I will take my chances on Original Medicare. I do need dental work and I understand I will need to pay for it; Medi-Cal does not pay for the specific dental work I need either.