What You Need to Know About Medicare in New Jersey

What You Need to Know About Medicare in New Jersey

Whether you are a new resident of New Jersey or a NJ native, once you turning 65 you are aging into eligibility for Medicare.  There's a wealth of information available and it can get overwhelming with all the options and how to navigate all the possible routes your healthcare plans can take. 

Medicare in New Jersey is relatively the same as it is in most states, with the main differences largely originating from the unique, local private insurance companies that handle the many extending arms of expanded Medicare coverage. What kind of care do you require, and what should you do if you need help with Medicare? The plans available can also depend on which county in NJ you live in, Medicare Advantage companies choose which counties they offer their coverage in and at what premium.  Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug plans are available statewide.   

How Do You Become Eligible for Medicare?

Most people reach the age of eligibility for New Jersey Medicare and begin their journey from there, but not every beneficiary takes the same path at the same time. 

Requirements for Medicare eligibility are: 

• You must be a US citizen or a legal permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years;
• You must be aged 65 or be permanently disabled (and have been receiving disability benefits from Social Security for at least 24 months). 

You may also be eligible if you are experiencing end-stage renal failure or have Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). If you have questions about this, you can contact your local Social Security office, or consider speaking with an advisor through New Jersey Medicare Brokers LLC. 

Enrolling in Medicare

The good news is that for most recipients, enrolling in Medicare is a snap! In states like New Jersey, Medicare is a program you're automatically enrolled in once you reach the age of 65. However, this is dependent upon whether you are receiving Social Security benefits. You need to manually enroll if any of the following situations apply:

• You are not turning 65 and do not have a permanent disability, or have for some reason lost your coverage.
• You do not receive Social Security benefits of any kind.
• For additional coverage such as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, or any form of Medigap coverage you can apply through a broker at NJ Medicare Brokers.

You also want to be mindful of enrollment periods for any of these. Some plans can only be added or changed at specific times of year. 

What Do You Need to Do If You Need Help with Medicare?

The government's medicare website is a wealth of accessible information for many, but there are multiple routes you can take to obtain help with Medicare information and coverage including our website. Your local Social Security office has posted hours to receive visits and field phone calls, but if you're close to a deadline, the wait times and high call volumes may feel discouraging. In that case, you might also consider contacting a Medicare broker like New Jersey Medicare Brokers. These are advisors that can offer you unbiased, informed information about the Medicare system, answering any questions you might have and walking you through the process step by step. 

Contact New Jersey Medicare Brokers today for information about 2019 and 2020 plans and enrollment.