We encourage you to utilize the information below the ‘Turning 65’ heading, but here are some numbers if you need to speak with someone:
Social Security (local Grand Forks number): 800-772-1213
Medicare: 800-633-4227
North Dakota Insurance Department: 701-328-2440
SHIC (Senior Health Insurance Counselor at the ND Insurance Department): 888-575-6611
Turning 65?
Learning about Medicare and Social Security can be challenging, so if you are turning 65 years old soon, you may want to educate yourself by reading some of the information available on this page or watching the videos.
Social Security Retirement Considerations - At What Age Should I Collect Benefits? (printable pdf)
Get Ready for Retirement WEBINARS from AARP - Social Security and Medicare. Once you follow this link, scroll down to ‘Social Security Presentation’ and ‘Medicare Presentation.’ While you will have to register to watch these videos, there is no cost and you can watch them immediately.
Medicare - Turning 65 Information
If Turning 65 and NOT Retiring
If you plan to continue receiving insurance from your employer, there is no need to sign up for Medicare yet. You’ll get a special enrollment period that begins the month after your employment/coverage ends and lasts for eight months.
Even though you don’t need to sign up for Medicare, we recommend you sign up for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) only. Most don’t have to pay the Part A premium because you already pay for it with your Medicare taxes while working.
If Turning 65, Will Be Retiring, or Are Retired
The Original Medicare OR Medicare Advantage plan sign-up period is 3 months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after the month you turn 65.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare includes
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)
Medicare Part B (medical insurance)
Medicare Part D (prescription drugs)
A supplemental insurance plan (covers what the rest doesn’t cover).
Sign up for each separately.
Medicare Part A and Part B
For Part A and Part B, sign up through the Social Security website (www.ssa.gov) or by phone (888-617-0456).
Medicare Part D
For Part D, sign up through the company of your choice after comparing all the companies that offer Part D. Find the one that best fits you and your medications. Compare Part D plans through a tool on www.medicare.gov or call the North Dakota Insurance Department at 701-328-2440.
Supplemental Plan
For supplemental insurance, sign up with the company that best suits you. A list of supplemental insurance companies can be found here on the North Dakota Insurance website.
Supplemental insurance companies offer different plans - A, B, C, D, G, K, L, M, N. All plans are uniform. One company’s Plan G is the same as another company’s Plan G. It is important to compare these plans and the companies that offer them; costs can vary between companies, even if the Plan is the same. The companies will accept you, even with pre-existing conditions, as long as you sign up before your special enrollment ends. After that date, they may not accept you, or if they do, you may have to pay a more expensive premium. Plan G offers the most coverage and is the most popular plan.
Medicare Advantage Plan
Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called Part C or MA Plans, are an alternative to Original Medicare. They are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. These bundled plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer limited coverage for services Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like some vision, hearing, dental, and fitness programs. If you decide to sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can compare plans using www.medicare.gov and choose the one best for you.
Annual Open Enrollment
If you do not sign up for any of these programs during your designated enrollment period, you can sign up during the annual open enrollment period, October 15 through December 7 each year.
You can also join, switch, or drop your current Medicare Part D plan/Medicare Advantage plan. You will, however, have a penalty for each month you do not have these programs.
The above text information in a printable pdf: Medicare - Turning 65 Information
Medicare FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Below are some frequently asked questions about Medicare. Some of this information is also found in the information above.
What is Medicare and who can get it?
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program. Medicare helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Medicare is for individuals 65 and older, individuals who have disabilities, permanent kidney failure, and Lou Gehrig’s disease. In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a higher monthly premium.
When can you sign up for Medicare?
If you are planning to retire at the age of 65, you can sign up 3 months before your birthday, the month of, and three months after. If you do not plan to retire and have insurance, you don’t need to sign up for Medicare right away. The month of your retirement is when you should sign up for Medicare; however, it is suggested to sign up for Medicare Part A when you turn 65.
What are the different parts of Medicare?
Part A (hospital insurance)
Hospital insurance helps pay for some inpatient care in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health care, and hospice care.
Part B (medical insurance)
Medical insurance helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that hospital insurance does not cover.
Part C (Medicare Advantage plans)
If you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies and approved by Medicare. These plans generally help you pay some of the medical costs not covered by Medicare Parts A and B.
Part D (prescription drug coverage)
Prescription drug coverage helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment.
How do I sign up for Medicare?
If you already get Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). You will be mailed all of the information you need a few months before you become eligible.
If you do not get Social Security benefits, you can apply apply online at www.ssa.gov.
If you do not wish to apply online, make an appointment by calling 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778), 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
How do I sign up for Medicare Part B if I already have Part A?
If you are already enrolled in Medicare Part A and you would like to enroll in Part B under the Special Enrollment Period (SEP), you can apply online. You can upload your application and documents that verify your group health plan coverage through your employer. If you have questions, please contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).
Can I sign up for Medicare Part B if I am working and have health insurance through an employer?
You may be able to delay signing up for Medicare Part B without a late enrollment penalty if you or your spouse (or a family member if you are disabled) is working and you are receiving health insurance benefits.
Should I sign up for Medicare Part B if I have Veterans’ Benefits?
Signing up for Medicare Part B may provide you with additional service and location options.
What is the monthly premium for Medicare Part B?
The standard Medicare Part B premium for medical insurance in 2021 is $148.50.
Will my Medicare premiums be higher because of my higher income?
Individuals with income more than $87,000 and married couples with income more than $174,000 will pay a larger percentage of their monthly Medicare Part B and D costs based on their income.
What are Medicare late enrollment penalties?
Part A
If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the higher premium for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.
Part B
If you didn't get Part B when you're first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you could've had Part B, but didn't sign up. In most cases, you'll have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B. And, the penalty increases the longer you go without Part B coverage. Also, you may have to wait to sign up, which will delay your coverage.
Part D
You may owe a late enrollment penalty if, at any time after your Initial Enrollment Period is over, there is a period of 63 or more days in a row when you don't have Medicare drug coverage or other credible prescription drug coverage. You will generally have to pay the penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage. Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" ($33.06 in 2021) times the number of full, uncovered months you didn't have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly premium is rounded to the nearest $.10 and added to your monthly Part D premium. The national base beneficiary premium may change each year, so your penalty amount may also change each year.
Need anything else besides Medicare Parts A, B, and D?
It is strongly suggested to get Supplemental Insurance. In order to get a Supplemental Insurance policy, you will need to contact an insurance company that sells Supplements. Some companies that sell Supplements are Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND, Omaha Insurance Company, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, United Healthcare, and USAA Life Insurance Company.
How do I get a replacement Medicare card?
Your Medicare card is proof of your Medicare insurance. If your Medicare card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can request a replacement with your personal my Social Security account. Once you are logged into your account, select the "Replacement Documents" tab. Then select “Mail my replacement Medicare card.”
If you can’t or prefer not to use the online service, you can call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227; TTY 877-486-2048).
The above section in a printable pdf: Medicare - Frequently Asked Questions