Signing up for Medicare

It's Elder Me getting ready to
sign up for Medicare!

I'll be 65 in September, and that means it's time to deal with Medicare, the government health insurance program for the elderly here in the U.S.  And much as I cringe to think of myself as "elderly," I have to remember the alternative.

Anyhow, here's my "first dive into Medicare" report. This is just a record of my experiences, and NOT MEDICARE ADVICE!!

The government knows your birthday, your income, whether you've been naughty or nice, and the folks at Medicare will automatically send you your Medicare insurance card before your 65th birthday. Everyone has to be enrolled in Part A, and you are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B (which together make basic Medicare) without having to do anything. If you're dropping out of Part B because you have retirement health care coverage from an employer, union, or professional association, there's info on the card that tells you what to do.