Medicare: How to Use Your Coverage
Medicare coverage always begins on the first day of a month, but the exact start date depends on when you enroll and which enrollment period you use. After you enroll, you will receive your Medicare card in the mail showing your coverage details. Understanding how to use your coverage can help you access care smoothly and avoid unexpected costs.
Created by DeafHealth with the support of the Patient Advocate Foundation and Pfizer, these videos on Medicare in American Sign Language (ASL) will give you the skills to make informed decisions about your coverage, the benefits offered by Medicare, and how to use your insurance confidently. The videos cover different topics including Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap Plans.
- American Sign Language Medicare Guide: https://deafhealthaccess.org/updates/health-insurance/
- English Medicare Guide: https://www.patientadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/MedicareBenefitsGuide_English-1.pdf
- Medicare Resources Sheet: https://www.patientadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/Medicare-Resources-Section.pdf
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Transcript and Video Description
[Video Description: The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The top middle has "Medicare: How to Use Your Coverage” in white text with light blue background, accompanied by a yellow bubble with “Medicare” in blue. In the video: A nonbinary person with long, curly brown hair that is shaved on the right side of their head stands in front of the camera. Behind them is a small light wooden table with a potted plant set against a green wall. They are wearing black pants, a purple button down shirt over a black top, and a pair of tinted glasses.
Transcript: Medicare coverage always starts on the first day of the month, but which month depends on when you signed up. If you signed up during the Initial Enrollment Period and qualify for premium-free Part A, your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first of the month, coverage starts the month before you turn 65. Part B coverage starts based on the month you sign up. After your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you can only sign up for Part B and Part A with a premium during one of the other enrollment periods. If you signed up during the General Enrollment Period, which is between January 1 and March 31, your coverage starts the month after you sign up. If you signed up during a Special Enrollment Period, coverage typically starts the month after you sign up. Once you’re signed up for Medicare, your Medicare card will be mailed to you in your welcome packet. The card is often referred to as your Red, White and Blue card and shows if you have Medicare Part A (listed as HOSPITAL), Part B (listed as MEDICAL), or both and the date your coverage begins. If you elected Part D, a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage, you will receive separate insurance cards for those coverages. You can also log into or create a secure Medicare online account to print your official Medicare card. Your card has a unique Medicare Number. It is different from your Social Security Number to protect your identity. You should carry your Medicare card(s) with you. You should check if your provider accepts Medicare (or Advantage plan if applicable) and be aware of services that are or aren’t covered. When you have Original Medicare, you do not need to choose a primary care provider, and in most cases, you don’t need a referral to see a specialist. However, you will need to double- check if your doctor accepts Medicare before you receive treatment. If applicable, also coordinate benefits with other health coverage you may have as there are rules that decide which one pays first. Show your Medicare card to your doctor, treatment facility, or healthcare provider when you receive care. Be sure to tell providers about all medical and drug insurance plans that you have to ensure your bills are paid in the correct order. [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org. [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a blue lighthouse] Paf. Patient Advocate Foundation. www.patientadvocate.org.]