Q. I can’t believe it, but I am about to turn 65. I am not signed up for Social Security just yet, since I am still working. I know I will have to sign up for Medicare, and I have been trying to learn about my options, but I find it so confusing. Where should I start?
A. Signing up for Medicare can feel overwhelming, so good for you for getting started. The good news is you have some time. Your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month of your birthday, and ends three months after. If you have health coverage through your job, you may have the option to delay enrolling in Medicare. Check in with your employer to learn about your options. If you’re planning on enrolling, a good first step is to connect with the SHINE program. SHINE stands for Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone. It’s a free program offered by AgeSpan and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence (AGE), and it’s one of the best resources out there for sorting through your Medicare options. There are a few ways to get started with SHINE.
Visit the SHINE page on the AgeSpan website. This page has links to documents on a variety of Medicare topics, so you can learn at your own pace.
Attend an “Introduction to Medicare” Zoom session. These sessions are held once a month and led by certified SHINE counselors who provide unbiased Medicare health insurance information. The next one is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Visit the AgeSpan website to register.
Set up a one-on-one meeting with a SHINE counselor. SHINE counselors are available to meet in person at many counsels on aging, senior centers, and other community-based organizations. Visit the AgeSpan website for a complete list of locations and phone numbers to call.
If you have any questions about the SHINE program, you can call 978-946-1374 and a counselor will get back to you.
You’re in good company in celebrating a big milestone. Medicare just turned 60 this year! As you blow the candles out on your 65th birthday, I hope your wishes come true.
Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org.
Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.
First published in the Eagle-Tribune.
