A step-by-step walkthrough — typically about 10 minutes from start to finish INTRODUCTION Signing up for Medicare online is one of the simplest ways to get your enrollment in motion. The whole process is handled by the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov, and most people can complete the application in roughly ten minutes once their account is set up. When you start the application, you'll choose between enrolling in Medicare alone (a "Medicare Only" application) or enr

A practical guide for beneficiaries not yet collecting Social Security INTRODUCTION Most people on Medicare have their Part B premium pulled automatically from their monthly Social Security retirement check. But if you are enrolled in Part B and have not yet started collecting Social Security benefits, the responsibility for paying that premium falls on you — and Medicare will send a bill directly. This page covers the four payment methods Medicare accepts, the two methods th

How to coordinate Medicare with your group health plan — and avoid costly mistakes. INTRODUCTION If you're approaching Medicare eligibility while still covered by an employer group health plan — yours or your spouse's — one of the bigger questions you'll face is whether to enroll in Medicare, delay it, or take only certain parts. For most people the answer comes down to one factor: the size of the employer providing your group coverage. The same is true if you're transitionin

A rule that catches HSA contributors off guard — and how to plan around it INTRODUCTION If you're enrolling in Medicare or Social Security retirement benefits after age 65, there's a quirky-but-important rule you need to understand: Medicare Part A is often backdated up to six months in the past. For most people this is harmless, but for anyone contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) it can create unexpected tax problems if you don't plan ahead. This page explains the

A guide to the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) application process INTRODUCTION If you delayed signing up for Medicare past age 65 because you were covered under an active employer group health plan — yours or your spouse's — you can still enroll without a late penalty by using a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Most people use the SEP either while still working or within the eight-month window that follows the loss of that employer coverage. This page walks through the four

A complete walkthrough for the 2026 plan year If you received an Initial IRMAA Determination Letter stating that your Medicare premiums will be increased due to higher income in a previous year, now is the time to file an appeal — formally called a Request for Reconsideration — through the Social Security Administration. Despite what the letter says about a 10-day window, you typically have about 60 days to submit your appeal paperwork. The sooner you file, the better — you'l

Written by: Jamon White If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), big changes are coming in 2026 that could affect how you receive...

Medicare supplement premiums

Are you nearing your enrollment in Medicare and wondering about the best Medicare Supplement plan for your needs? Look no further! In...

Jamon White of Four Oaks explains the Inflation Reduction Act and what that means for your prescription medications under Medicare Part D.