Your Complete Medicare Enrollment Guide

Justin Hundley
Jun 8
3 min read

Signing up for Medicare can be confusing. That's why Mountaineer Health and Life Insurance is here to help! This guide to signing up for Medicare will give you the information you need to know when it's time to celebrate retirement. If after reading this you still feel overwhelmed (which who can blame you!?), then have no fear.

One of our local agents can walk you through exactly how, and when, to sign up for Medicare!

1. How to Sign Up for Medicare

You have several options to enroll in Medicare. Each comes with its own pros and cons:

✅ Online at SSA.gov

Pros: Convenient, 24/7 access, fast processing
Cons: Can be confusing or intimidating for some users

📞 By Phone with Social Security

Pros: Human help, good for questions
Cons: Long wait times, must verify ID verbally

🏢 In Person at Your Local Social Security Office

Pros: One-on-one assistance, paperwork handled on site
Cons: May require an appointment and wait time, travel involved

🌐 Through Medicare.gov

Pros: Great for research and understanding plan options
Cons: Cannot fully enroll in Part A and B from here

👩‍💼 With a Licensed Medicare Agent

Pros: Personalized advice, no cost to you, helps avoid penalties or confusion
Cons: None, if working with a reputable, licensed agent

2. Penalties for Signing Up Late

Missing your Medicare enrollment window can cost you for life:

Part B Penalty: 10% added to your premium for every full 12-month period you delay enrollment. This is permanent.
Part D Penalty: If you go 63+ days without creditable drug coverage, you’ll pay a penalty based on how long you delayed.

➡️ Avoid penalties by enrolling when you are first eligible.

3. What Original Medicare Includes

Original Medicare consists of:

Part A – Hospital coverage (inpatient care, skilled nursing, hospice, some home health)
Part B – Medical coverage (doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, DME)

It does NOT include:

❌ Prescription drug coverage

❌ Vision, dental, hearing

❌ Long-term care

This is why most people need additional coverage.

4. Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

Medicare Part D is optional—but essential. It helps cover:

Prescription medications
Generic and brand-name drugs
Pharmacies within your plan’s network

📅 Enroll on time to avoid penalties. Part D is offered by private companies, so costs and coverage vary.

5. Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage

Medicare Supplement (Medigap):

Pairs with Original Medicare
Covers coinsurance, deductibles, copays
No networks—go to any provider that accepts Medicare
Higher monthly premiums, but fewer out-of-pocket surprises

Medicare Advantage (Part C):

Private plans that replace original Medicare that often include Part D, vision, dental, hearing
Traditional coverage with a max-out-of-pocket, and predictable out of pocket expenses
HMO or PPO networks
May have co-pays, referrals, and coverage limits

👉 It is recommended to work with a Medicare agent near you to review which option would be best for your situation!

Senior holding money that he saved by working with a licensed agent — Make the most of your retirement with Mountaineer Health and Life!

6. Bonus: Retirement Checklist

Before or at age 65, you should:

✅ Sign up for Medicare on time

✅ Apply for Social Security or plan when to start it

✅ Review retirement income sources

✅ Update or create a will and medical directive

✅ Review or roll over old retirement accounts

✅ Consider long-term care insurance

✅ Talk to a licensed agent about income strategies and additional coverage

7. Using a Fixed Index Annuity to Supplement Retirement Income

Signing up for Medicare is only one step in the process! A good retirement strategy covers multiple topics, one of significant importance is of course your retirement income. A fixed index annuity might be a good option for helping you hit your retirement income goals!

A Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) is a powerful retirement income tool:

Guaranteed income for life
No market loss exposure
Tax-deferred growth
Optional legacy benefits

➡️ If you have a 401(k), 403(b), or IRA, you may benefit from rolling it into a fixed index annuity to protect your principal while generating lifetime income.