Haris Ashley
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. If you are under 65, you may still be eligible if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Medicare Part A covers hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice, while Part B covers medical insurance. To apply for Medicare in Colorado, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE or the Colorado SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) at 1-888-696-7213. You can also apply by phone, mail, or in person at your county office. Additionally, you can apply online at www.ssa.gov or secure my Social Security account. It's important to note that there are penalties for late enrollment in Medicare Part B and Part D, so it's best to enroll promptly when you become eligible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part A | Hospital Insurance |
| Medicare Part B | Medical Insurance |
| Who is eligible for Medicare | People 65 or older, those with a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease, or ALS |
| Signing up for Medicare | Online at Social Security, by phone, or through the Railroad Retirement Board |
| Medicare costs | Monthly premiums for Part B and Part C, with amounts varying based on income and plan chosen |
| Late enrollment penalty | May apply if signing up for Part B after 3 months of turning 65 |
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What You'll Learn
Medicare Part A and Part B
In Colorado, Medicare Advantage (Part C) is provided by private health insurance companies and covers hospital and medical costs. To be eligible, you must be 65 or older and enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A or B. If you are under 65, you may still qualify if you have a disability or chronic condition, such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage provided by private insurance companies and can be purchased as a stand-alone plan or included in a Medicare Health Plan. In 2024, there were 21 stand-alone Part D plans available in Colorado, and 46 Medicare Health Plans with drug coverage. Each plan has different covered drugs, premiums, deductibles, copays, and pharmacy networks.
If you have Original Medicare, you can get a Medicare Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Part D plan. You can compare plans and make sure they are available in your county. You can then visit the carrier's website, fill out an enrollment form, or call the carrier to start the application process.
If you have questions about Medicare in Colorado, you can contact the Colorado State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-888-696-7213 for assistance.
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Enrollment periods
In Colorado, eligible individuals can enroll in Medicare during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which begins three months before the month they turn 65, the month they turn 65, and ends three months after the month they turn 65. This is a seven-month window in total.
If you miss the IEP, you can enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs annually from January 1 to March 31. However, late enrollees may be subject to a late enrollment penalty, increasing the longer you wait. Those who missed their IEP and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) may have to pay this penalty.
The guarantee issue period for Medicare Supplements lasts for six months from the month you turn 65 and is a one-time enrollment period. After this period, you may face difficulties purchasing a Medicare Supplement policy, or it may cost more.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) are available for various circumstances, such as moving from one coverage area to another, transitioning in or out of a nursing home, losing employer coverage, or address changes that impact your Medicare plan options.
The Annual Election Period (AEP) or Annual Open Enrollment occurs each fall, from October 15 to December 7, with coverage effective from January 1 of the following year. During this time, you can join, switch, or drop a plan. This period applies to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans but not Medicare Supplements, which are medically underwritten after the guarantee issue period ends.
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Medicare Part D
If you have Medicare Part A, Part B, or both, you are eligible for Medicare Part D. Many people first enroll in a Part D plan when they enroll in Medicare Parts A and B: three months before, the month of, or three months after their 65th birthday (seven-month Initial Enrollment Period). Enrollment occurs when you review plans, pick a plan, and then call that plan, call Medicare, or enroll online to indicate your chosen plan.
There are 21 Stand-Alone Part D plans in Colorado for 2024. Medicare Health Plan availability varies by county, so not all plans are available throughout the state. Each plan has a different list of covered drugs, premiums, deductibles, copays, and pharmacy networks.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and change your mind, you have the opportunity to enroll in another Medicare Advantage Plan or disenroll to go back to Original Medicare, and add a Stand-Alone Part D plan. You may qualify for other enrollment periods based on events such as becoming eligible for Medicare, eligibility for Extra Help, moving out of your plan area, or losing employer coverage.
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Medicare card
To apply for Medicare in Colorado, you must first determine whether you are eligible. Generally, Medicare is for people aged 65 or older. However, you may be eligible earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).
If you are eligible, you can sign up for Medicare online at Social Security. You will need to create a secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits. Alternatively, if you or your spouse worked for a railroad, you can call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772.
Medicare is divided into multiple parts, and you will need to choose which parts you want to sign up for. Part A (Hospital Insurance) is often obtained automatically when you start receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. However, you must choose whether you want Part B (Medical Insurance) when applying for benefits. If you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S., you will need to sign up for Part B separately.
After enrolling, you will receive your Medicare card in the mail. This is typically sent within two weeks of signing up and will be included in a welcome package. To check the status of your Medicare claims, you can log into your secure Medicare account. Here, you can view your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or electronic MSN, which details the Part A and Part B-covered services billed to Medicare.
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Extra Help program
The Medicare Part D Extra Help program assists individuals with limited income and resources in reducing or eliminating Part D costs. Medicare Part D provides drug coverage, and the Extra Help program helps cover the costs of prescription drugs, deductibles, and copays.
You can apply for the Extra Help program at any time before or after enrolling in Part D. Your eligibility is determined by your income and resources, and you will be asked to provide financial information when applying.
To apply, visit Medicare.gov for more information, or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call TTY +1 800-325-0778 to set up an appointment to apply for the Extra Help program.
The Extra Help program is available in most U.S. time zones, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., in English, Spanish, and other languages.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for Medicare in Colorado by phone, mail, or in person. To apply by phone, call 1-800-221-3943 or State Relay: 711. To apply by mail, download and print a paper application. To apply in person, visit your county of residence’s local county office or a local application assistance site.
There are several ways to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up online at www.ssa.gov, by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-MEDICARE, or by calling the Colorado SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) at 1-888-696-7213.
Medicare Part A is insurance for hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice. You get Part A automatically if you’re receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. Medicare Part B is medical insurance, and you need to sign up for it. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) is a private insurance option that covers hospital and medical costs, while Medicare Part D covers prescription medications.
Yes, there are penalties for late enrollment in Medicare. If you don't sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you may have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty. There is also a penalty for enrolling late in Medicare Part D, which is based on the number of months you didn't have coverage while being eligible.
