Fundamentos de Medicare

¿Cumple 65 años?

Congratulations! You’re close to qualifying for Medicare. Learn the essential steps you can take before your 65th birthday to prepare.

Three Steps for Medicare Success

Timing is everything when it comes to Medicare enrollment. These steps and the timing outlined here are recommended to help ensure a smooth transition to Medicare.

Step #1: Confirm and review

7 to 9 months before your 65th birthday

  • Confirm your eligibility for Medicare benefits by contacting the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can also visit www.ssa.gov.
  • Review your current health insurance coverage to find out what happens after you become eligible for Medicare.
  • If you are working, contact your Human Resources department for additional guidance.

Step #2: Check providers, learn about Medicare and start shopping

4 to 6 months before your 65th birthday

  • Consulte con sus médicos habilitados para saber si aceptan Medicare.
  • Research Medicare coverage options in your area.
  • Take time to learn about how Medicare works.
  • Download your free Medicare booklet.
  • Start looking at different Medicare health plans.
  • Learn if you qualify for any financial assistance with a certain plan.

Step #3: Enroll in Parts A and B and choose other coverage options

3 months before your 65th birthday

  • This is when your Initial Enrollment Period starts.
  • Now’s the time to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.
  • If you haven’t received your automatic enrollment packet in the mail, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit www.ssa.gov.
  • If you’ve done some shopping and chosen a plan like Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement Insurance, now’s the time to enroll in for this coverage as well.

Need help choosing a Medicare plan option from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois?

We’re here to help. Speak to a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare sales representative at 1-877-213-1821 (TTY 711). We're open 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., local time, 7 days a week. If you are calling from April 1 through September 30, alternative technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on weekends and holidays.

After you turn 65

Si es mayor de 65 años, ya es elegible para solicitar una cobertura Medicare. So, if you haven't already, now is the time.

The Initial Enrollment Period ends three months after your birthday month, so don’t delay.

Already a valued member?

¡Le agradecemos su preferencia y valoramos la oportunidad de servirle! Estamos a su disposición para ayudarle a que su transición a Medicare sea fácil y sin inconvenientes. Responda algunas preguntas sencillas y le ofreceremos una cronología personalizada. También recibirá recordatorios con información importante y medidas que puede tomar para mantenerse encaminado mientras se aproxima a su elegibilidad para Medicare.

Family celebrates birthday around the dinner table

Enrollment Reminders for BCBSIL Members

Create Your Medicare Timeline

Responda algunas preguntas para crear su cronología de Medicare. Su cronología le ayudará a dar seguimiento a las fechas importantes de su trayectoria en Medicare.

Create Your Timeline

Herramientas y recursos

Helpful Tools and Resources

Casos de Medicare

Si no está seguro de qué cobertura necesita, responda algunas preguntas que le ayudarán a decidirse.