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  1. Home
  2. Eligibility
  3. Turning 65

Give Us a Call Before Your 65th Birthday.

Give Us a Call
1-877-823-8267 (TTY: 711)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week
Get Started

Before You Turn 65, Request Your Free Medicare All-In-One Guide.

If you’re turning 65, it is time to understand the difference between Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage.

As you approach this exciting milestone, you should know that you have choices. Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything, like prescription drugs, hearing aids, and routine dental care. Plus, Original Medicare only covers about 80% of the costs for your medical care leaving you with out of pocket expenses. Original Medicare may not provide all the coverage you’ll need to take care of yourself in the coming years.

You have options. When you select a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan you may enjoy these EXTRA benefits with most plans:

Savings

Save money with $0 or low monthly premiums

Money Back

Get money back in your Social Security check with our Giveback plans

Prescriptions

Enjoy a comprehensive formulary with $0 or low copays on generic drugs

Preventive Coverage

Access to doctor visits, dental care and vision benefits

Over-the-Counter

Money towards healthcare items like vitamins, toothpaste and more

Fitness

FREE annual gym membership

Transportation

FREE transportation to your doctor and pharmacy

Enroll Now

Call 1-877-823-8267 (TTY: 711)

We offer a variety of plans, so it’s easy to compare and find a plan that’s right for you.

If you’re turning 65, when are you eligible to enroll?

You become eligible for Medicare benefits on the first day of the month you were born, but you can enroll earlier. You have a 7-month window, which is referred to as your Initial Enrollment Period, or IEP, to enroll. It starts three months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and lasts for three months after your birthday month.

For example, if your 65th birthday is May 18th.

Your IEP starts February 1st and ends August 31st.

Before Birthday Month - There are advantages to enrolling early. If you apply for Medicare in the three months before your birthday month, your coverage will begin on the first day of your birthday month. In this example, if you apply in March, your coverage will begin May 1st - an early birthday present!

During Birthday Month - If you choose to apply during your birthday month, your coverage won’t start until the following month - here, your coverage would begin on June 1st.

After Birthday Month - If you apply for Medicare after your birthday month, your coverage will be delayed up to three months. In this example, if you apply in June, July or August, your coverage may not begin until December 1st. It is important to note that you may pay a penalty or have a gap in coverage if you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible.

It’s never too early to begin exploring your options. And we can help!

Call 1-877-823-8267 (TTY: 711)

Need answers now? Complete the form below to receive more information.

By completing this form, you give Wellcare permission to contact you. You may opt out of future communications at any time.
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      • About Our Plans
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      • Eligibility
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      Benefit offerings vary by plan. ‘Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. “Wellcare by Health Net” is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. “Wellcare” is issued by Wellcare of Washington, Inc. “Wellcare” is issued by WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc. “Wellcare” is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Our plans use a formulary. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-877-MY-WELLCARE. There is no obligation to enroll. Arizona D-SNP plans: Contract services are funded in part under contract with the State of Arizona. New Mexico (NM) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Members: As a Wellcare by Allwell D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid services are funded in part by the state of New Mexico. NM Medicaid benefits may be limited to payment of Medicare premiums for some members. Louisiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid. Notice: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any benefits above and beyond traditional Medicare benefits are applicable to Wellcare Medicare Advantage only and do not indicate increased Medicaid benefits. Indiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Indiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://www.in.gov/medicaid. Wellcare by Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions, Inc. “Wellcare” (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by WellCare of Texas, Inc., WellCare National Health Insurance Company, and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. By completing this form, you agree to be contacted and receive autodialed calls/text messages from Centene or licensed agent for marketing purposes at the phone number provided now or the next enrollment period when new benefits information is available. Your consent is not required as a condition of enrollment. Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

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