I am 68 years old and have been on Medicare since 65 yrs. I have not been collecting Social Security. I would like to now.

Q) I am 68 years old and have been on Medicare since 65 yrs. I have not been collecting Social Security. I would like to now. I have Medicare with Blue Cross supplement. Have been paying $494.70 quarterly to CMS MEDICARE INSURANCE. How do I go about changing this?? Do I need an appointment to come into 10718 Roberts Road in Palos Hills, IL? Can I do this online before December 7, 2023??
Please let me know what to do. Thanks.

A) Changing your Medicare situation

To address your questions about changing your Medicare situation, let’s break down each aspect:

1. Enrolling in Social Security:

• You can apply for Social Security online at the Social Security Administration website: https://www.ssa.gov/apply
• You can also schedule an appointment at your local Social Security office in Palos Hills, IL: https://www.socialsecurityoffices.info/details/palos_hills_social_security_office_60465
• The deadline to apply online for benefits starting December 2023 is December 5, 2023. You can still apply after this date, but your benefits will be delayed.

2. Changing your Medicare payment:

• Currently, you are paying $494.70 quarterly to CMS Medicare Insurance. This suggests you may be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).
• To change your plan and switch to Original Medicare (Parts A & B), you need to contact your current Medicare Advantage plan provider. They will guide you through the cancellation process.
• Once your Medicare Advantage plan is cancelled, you will automatically be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A & B.
• At that point, you will no longer be responsible for paying the quarterly premium to CMS Medicare Insurance.
• Important: The Medicare Open Enrollment Period for changing Medicare plans runs from October 15th to December 7th each year. You must make changes to your plan by December 7th for your new plan to take effect on January 1st of the following year.

3. Blue Cross Medicare Supplement:

• You mentioned having Blue Cross Medicare supplement insurance. This is a separate policy from your Medicare plan and helps cover out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.
• You can choose to keep your Blue Cross Medicare supplement insurance even if you switch to Original Medicare. However, you will need to contact Blue Cross directly to discuss any changes to your plan or premiums.

4. Visiting the Social Security office in Palos Hills:

• While you can apply for Social Security online or by phone, visiting the Palos Hills office in person may be helpful if you have questions or need support with the application process.
• You can schedule an appointment online or by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

5. Summary of actions:

• Apply for Social Security online or by December 5th to receive benefits starting December 2023.
• Contact your current Medicare Advantage plan provider to cancel your plan before December 7th.
• Review your Blue Cross Medicare supplement insurance and contact them directly if you want to make any changes.
• Schedule an appointment at the Palos Hills Social Security office if you need assistance with the application process.

Additional resources:

• Medicare website: https://www.medicare.gov/
• Social Security Administration website: https://www.ssa.gov/
• Blue Cross Medicare Supplement Insurance: https://www.bcbsla.com/shop-plans/medicare

Important note:

This information is general and may not apply to your specific situation. It is important to consult with a licensed insurance agent or Medicare representative to discuss your options and ensure you are making the best decisions for your healthcare needs.