Jane Dotson
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. Those under 65 may also be eligible if they have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). In Connecticut, there are several ways to apply for Medicare. One way is to complete a state application form online, by mail, or in person at a local DSS Regional Office. Another way is to apply online via the Social Security website, which is the fastest way to sign up and receive any financial assistance. Additionally, ConnectiCare offers Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans that can be applied for online, by phone, or by mailing an enrollment form.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Options | Online, by phone, by mail, or in-person |
| Enrollment Periods | Specific times of the year |
| Enrollment Requirements | Enrolled in Medicare Part A and B |
| Enrollment Confirmation | Welcome Kit and ConnectiCare member ID card |
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What You'll Learn
Applying for Medicare Savings Plan in Connecticut
The State of Connecticut offers financial assistance to eligible Medicare enrollees through its Medicare Savings Program (MSP). This program helps cover some Medicare-related expenses for people with lower incomes. Depending on the beneficiary's income, MSP can help cover all or some of Medicare's premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing. Connecticut has some of the most generous rules for Medigap plans in the country, and unlike in most states, there is no asset test.
Who is eligible?
There are three different Medicare Savings Programs, and eligibility depends on income:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Pays both Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and co-insurances. Income limits (211% FPL) are $2,752/month for a single person and $3,719/month for a married couple.
- Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Pays Medicare Part B premiums. Income limits are $3,013/month for a single person and $4,072/month for a married couple.
- Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (ALMB): Pays Medicare Part B premiums. Note that ALMB is not an entitlement program, and the funding is limited.
How to apply
You can apply for the Medicare Savings Program by filling out a W-1QMB form online at MyPlaceCT.org. MyPlaceCT.org is a free web-based resource designed to help older adults and people with disabilities in Connecticut live with optimal independence, health, and well-being. It is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Social Services in collaboration with partner state agencies and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Enrollment periods
Medicare beneficiaries may enroll only during specific times of the year. Visit the Medicare Enrollment Periods page for more information on the best time to enroll and other details about enrollment timelines.
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Applying for Medicare Part A
Medicare is a federal program launched in 1965 to provide affordable healthcare for older Americans nearing retirement. Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
If you are receiving Social Security benefits before turning 65, you may be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare. If not, you have to apply. Your first chance to sign up is during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which starts three months before the month you turn 65. Seniors aren't required to enroll in Medicare, but typically, it does make sense to enroll in Part A at age 65 because most people don't have to pay for coverage.
If you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits between age 62 and up to 4 months before turning 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65. If you apply for Social Security 3 months before you turn 65 or later, you can sign up for Medicare when you apply for Social Security.
You can also apply for Medicare Part A online at Social Security. This is the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. You will need to create a secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits.
Medicare beneficiaries may enroll only during specific times of the year. You can enroll in a ConnectiCare Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan over the phone by calling toll-free at 877-224-8221 (TTY: 711). From Oct. 1 to March 31, you can call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. From April 1 to Sept. 30, you can call from 8 a.m. You can also enroll with ConnectiCare online.
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Applying for Medicare Part B
Medicare is a federal program that was launched in 1965 to provide affordable healthcare for older Americans nearing retirement. Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
If you are receiving Social Security benefits before turning 65, you may be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare. If not, you have to apply. Your first chance to sign up is during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which starts three months before the month you turn 65.
If you don't sign up for Part B within three months of turning 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
You can sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S. You get Part A automatically, but you need to sign up for Part B.
You can apply for Medicare Part B in Connecticut by scheduling an appointment with a Connecticut-based ConnectiCare licensed representative who will answer your questions and help you complete the enrollment application. You can also enroll in a ConnectiCare Medicare Advantage plan through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Online Enrollment Center at Medicare.gov.
You can also download a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan enrollment form, complete it, and send it to them. They will confirm receipt of your form by mail.
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Applying for Medicare Part C
Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a health insurance option for Americans aged 65 and older. It combines the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) with additional advantages offered by private health insurance companies. In Connecticut, several insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans with varying benefits and costs.
To apply for Medicare Part C in Connecticut, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. You need to be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, and be at least 65 years old or have certain disabilities. If you are not yet enrolled in Original Medicare, your first opportunity to sign up is during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after your birthday month.
Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare and meet the age or disability criteria for Part C, you can proceed with the application process. You can apply for Medicare Part C in Connecticut through ConnectiCare, either online or over the phone. ConnectiCare offers Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans, which bundle Parts A and B with prescription drug coverage. You can also schedule an appointment with a ConnectiCare licensed representative to get assistance with completing the enrollment application.
Additionally, you can explore other insurance providers in Connecticut, such as Anthem, which offers Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) with a range of benefits, including prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing. The availability of plans and benefits may vary by region or county, so it is recommended to provide your ZIP code when searching for plans in your area.
Remember that you can only enroll or make changes to your Medicare coverage during specific periods. These periods include the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and the Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7. If you are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage and want to make changes, the Medicare Advantage OEP occurs from January 1 to March 31.
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Applying for Medicare if you have Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
If you have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, you are eligible for automatic enrollment in Medicare. This is regardless of your age, as ALS is one of only two diseases that qualify individuals under the age of 65 for Medicare (the other being End-Stage Renal Disease).
To apply for Medicare if you have ALS, you must first apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is a monthly benefit provided by the Social Security Administration for those who are unable to work due to a severe medical impairment. Once you have been approved for SSDI, you can then enroll in Medicare.
There is no waiting period for SSDI as of 2021, and the regular 24-month waiting period for Medicare after SSDI benefits begin has been eliminated for ALS patients. Additionally, the previous five-month waiting period to begin SSDI benefits has also been removed. This means that you can get Medicare as soon as you become entitled to SSDI.
You can apply for SSDI online through your secure my Social Security account. Alternatively, you can contact your local Social Security office or call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 if you or your spouse worked for a railroad. Make sure to explicitly state that you have ALS on your SSDI application.
Once you have been approved for SSDI, you can enroll in Medicare. You will automatically receive Part A (Hospital Insurance) and will need to sign up for Part B (Medical Insurance) if you live in the United States. You can sign up for Part B online through your my Social Security account or by calling Social Security. If you live in Puerto Rico or outside the United States, you will need to sign up for Part A and Part B.
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Frequently asked questions
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, as well as certain people under 65 with disabilities or illnesses.
You can apply for Medicare in Connecticut by completing a state application form. This can be done online, by mail, or in person at a local DSS Regional Office. Alternatively, you can enroll in a ConnectiCare Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan by downloading and completing an enrollment form, or by calling them toll-free at 877-224-8221.
Medicare beneficiaries may only enroll during specific times of the year. The Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.
Medicare Part A covers hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice. Medicare Part B is medical insurance. Part C, or Medicare Advantage Plans, is a private insurance option for covering hospital and medical costs, and Part D covers prescription medications.
