How do I enroll Mom and/or Dad in Medicare? How much does it cost? How much can they afford? What health coverage do they need? And which type of Medicare plan should we choose — Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
These are all very common questions asked when researching which type of health coverage your parents or loved ones need, once they become eligible for Medicare.
Guide to Helping Someone Else Enroll in Medicare
To help you, we have designed an enrollment guide that includes important steps you can take to get your loved ones the health coverage they need, at a price they can afford.
- Verified Authorized Representative
- Identify Coverage Needs
- Confirm Medicare Eligibility
- Know Medicare Coverage Options
- Know the Medicare Enrollment Deadlines
- How to Enroll
In order to help someone enroll in Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you will need to be an authorized representative chosen by the enrolling individual with written consent, a court appointed legal guardian, a person having durable power of attorney for health care decisions, or an individual authorized to make health care decisions under state surrogate consent laws, provided he/she has the authority to act for the beneficiary in this capacity.
Once you have confirmed you are an authorized representative who can help someone else enroll in Medicare, you’ll be able to help them submit information about past medical history, claims and payments. You will also be able to help the individual compare plans, choose a Medicare coverage option, and receive and submit information regarding the plan, including claims and notices.
Medical Power of Attorney Form
When helping someone else enroll in a Medicare plan, it is helpful to first understand what their current medical needs are and whether they will need additional health coverage that Original Medicare does not cover. Original Medicare can be replaced with a Medicare Advantage plan, such as Memorial Hermann Medicare Advantage, which includes additional benefits like prescription drug coverage, dental vision and hearing benefits, along with fitness benefits and more.
Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan can also, in some cases, make it more affordable depending on the health plan and coverage needs.
Common questions to discuss about health needs include:
- What health needs do they have?
- Will they require frequent medical attention?
- Will there be frequent hospital or outpatient care visits?
- Will they need nursing home care?
- Will they need prescription drug coverage?
- Do they need vision or dental benefits?
Common questions to discuss about financial needs include:
- How much are they willing to spend each month?
- How much can they afford to spend?
- Do they want to pay a higher deductible or lower copay?
- Do they want to pay a monthly premium?
View answers to frequently asked questions when enrolling in Medicare and shopping for Medicare Advantage plans.
Once you understand your loved one’s medical and financial needs, you need to find out if the individual you are enrolling is eligible for Medicare or Medicare Advantage.
- If they are currently eligible, you can find more information on eligibility here.
- If they will be turning 65 soon, then you may have more time to figure out alternative coverage options. You can speak with our licensed Medicare agents to confirm eligibility and discuss alternative options at (866) 350-2715 (TTY 711).
It's important to know that your loved ones have options for how they get Medicare coverage.
View the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
There are certain enrollment deadlines for Medicare that you will need to know and meet to avoid your loved ones not being covered.
Learn more about eligibility and enrollment deadlines.
If you are an authorized representative, you can conveniently enroll your loved one in a Medicare Advantage plan online, via phone or by mail. View enrollment instructions. Medicare beneficiaries may also enroll in a Memorial Hermann Medicare Advantage HMO plan through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at medicare.gov. (Please note that by clicking on this link, you will be leaving Memorial Hermann Advantage website).
Need Help with Enrollment?
We are happy to help answer any questions you may have about Medicare, Medicare eligibility and enrollment periods, as well as assist you with choosing the Memorial Hermann Medicare Advantage plan that is best for you.
Call one of our Memorial Hermann Advantage Advisors at: (866) 350-2715 (TTY 711):
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, 7 days a week from Oct. 1 – March 31
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday from April 1 to Sep. 30