Medicare

New Medicare cards are already being mailed out. The new cards feature a 11-digit 'Medicare Number' and have had the Social Security number removed.

Thursday, Dec. 7, is the last day of Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, when decisions can be made about health and prescription coverage for 2018.

Medicare has an online Plan Finder to review other Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available where you live. There is a separate Medigap Policy Search tool.

https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx

https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspx

New Medicare cards will replace your "old" Medicare number, which was most likely your Social Security number, with a new 11-digit Medicare number.

You should receive your new card by mail by April, 2019.

YES.

You can sign up for Medicare even though you haven't yet signed up for Social Security. In fact, delaying Social Security retirement benefits may work to your advantage.

However, you do not want to delay signing up for Medicare benefits. But, if you fail to sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period, you'll face a 10 percent increase in your Part B premiums that could raise your healthcare costs for life.