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1-800-303-0656 (TTY/TDD: 711) 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., seven days a week

Turning 65 checklist

Planning well in advance of your Medicare eligibility can help you get every dollar in Medicare benefits you have coming to you. Here, in a nutshell, is what you should do and when you should do it.

12-6 months before your 65th birthday

Set up your post-retirement budget. Talk to someone about your retirement financial goals and make a list of your expenses or financial obligations.
Meet with your employee benefits department or call your existing health plan to learn about plan options available to you after retirement.
Review your Social Security statement to be sure your stated income is correct.
Decide when you want to start receiving your Social Security benefits and be sure you understand how it will affect the monthly benefit payments you will receive. Compute the effect of early or delayed retirement.

5-4 months before your 65th birthday

Take time to read up on the parts of Medicare.
Confirm your eligibility for Medicare benefits.
Explore our plans' different networks and drug lists (formularies). Find out if your doctor, hospital, and pharmacy are in network and if your prescription drugs are covered. It's good to know this now, so you can choose the right plan later.

3-0 months before your 65th birthday

Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B by contacting the Social Security Administration at www.socialsecurity.gov or 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
Review your plan options and decide whether you want to select a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with or without Part D prescription drug coverage, a Medicare supplement (Medigap) health plan, or a Part D plan.
- Call us at 1-877-393-6733 (TTY/TDD: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week, to answer any further questions you may have regarding your coverage options.
- Meet with a licensed agent to apply for a plan in person.

On your 65th birthday

Relax and enjoy it. If you have followed the steps outlined above, you will have all the coverage you want in place to Retire with Independence.

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Website last updated: 7/17/2023

*Please note that on weekends and holidays from April 1 to September 30, your call may be sent to voicemail.

To file an appeal or grievance for your medical benefit coverage or your prescription drug coverage, contact Keystone 65 Customer Service at 1-800-645-3965 or Personal Choice 65 Customer Service at 1-888-718-3333; TTY/TDD users should call 711, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; or you can complete and submit online the Request for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Determination or the Request for Redetermination of Medicare Prescription Drug Denial.

For additional information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) visit http://www.medicare.gov. If you prefer to file a grievance through CMS, please complete the Medicare Complaint Form. For additional assistance, visit The Office of the Medicare Ombudsman.

Independence Blue Cross offers PPO, HMO-POS, and HMO Medicare Advantage plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Independence Blue Cross PPO, HMO-POS, and HMO Medicare Advantage plans depends on contract renewal.

Independence Blue Cross offers products through its subsidiaries Independence Assurance Company, Independence Hospital Indemnity Plan, Keystone Health Plan East, and QCC Insurance – independent licensees of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Medicare beneficiaries may also enroll in Keystone 65 HMO, Keystone 65 HMO-POS, Personal Choice 65^SM PPO, or Select Option^® PDP through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at http://www.medicare.gov.

Keystone 65 HMO and Personal Choice 65^SM PPO: For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings call toll-free 1-877-393-6733 (711 for the speech- and hearing-impaired).

Select Option^® PDP: For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings call toll-free 1-888-678-7009 (711 for the speech- and hearing-impaired).

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system.

MedigapFreedom: To join, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Plan F and Plan N are available only to applicants who enroll within six months following enrollment in Medicare Part B or who are guaranteed the right to purchase these plans under applicable federal or state laws. You must continue to pay Medicare Part A (if applicable) and Part B premiums.

COVERED PERSON means a Medicare beneficiary who is enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, made the appropriate payment in consideration for this Policy, and is eligible for benefits under this Policy.

Non-tobacco rates apply to applications submitted during the six-month open enrollment or in a guaranteed issue situation. Applicants NOT enrolling during the six-month open enrollment period or in a guaranteed issue situation will be evaluated for tobacco usage and charged the corresponding tobacco or non-tobacco rates. All rates are subject to change with the approval of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Any rate change will apply to all policies in our service area and cannot be changed or canceled because of poor health. QCC Insurance Company has the right to change premiums based on your attained age and the table of rate changes. We will give a 30-day notice of a premium change.

Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.

MedigapFreedom Individual plans: Benefits underwritten by QCC Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

MedigapSecurity plans are offered through Independence Blue Cross and Highmark Blue Shield, independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Dental benefits are underwritten by QCC Insurance Company and Keystone Health Plan East and administered by United Concordia Companies, Inc., an independent company.

Vision benefits are underwritten by QCC Insurance Company or Keystone Health Plan East and administered by Davis Vision, an independent company.

An affiliate of Independence Blue Cross has a financial interest in Visionworks, an independent company.

One Day University is an independent company.

The grocery benefit mentioned is a part of special supplemental program for the chronically ill. Not all members qualify.

The meals program benefit mentioned is a part of special supplemental program for the chronically ill. Not all members qualify.

The transportation benefit is provided by Roundtrip, an independent company.

The grocery benefit is provided by FareRx, an independent company.

Strive Health, LLC is an independent company that administers kidney care management to select members of Independence Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans.

The One Pass fitness benefit is a program provided by Rally Health, Inc. an independent company. ©2023 Rally Health, Inc. Rally, the Rally logo(s) and One Pass are trademarks of Rally Health, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

TruHearing^® is a registered trademark of TruHearing, Inc., an independent company.

Teladoc Health and the practitioners accessible through Teladoc Health are independent companies and contractors not affiliated with Keystone 65 HMO/POS and Personal Choice 65 PPO. Please consult a physician for personalized medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Independence Blue Cross has contracted with ComplexCare Solutions, an independent company and affiliate of Inovalon, Inc., to perform personal health visits for Independence Blue Cross members. ComplexCare Solutions is a business associate (as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)) of Independence Blue Cross and will maintain the confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI). 03/2023.

Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Independence Blue Cross Medicare members, except in emergency situations. For a decision about whether we will cover an out-of-network service, we encourage you or your provider to ask us for a pre-service organization determination before you receive the service. 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.

The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

Dual-purpose items are medicines and products that can be used for either a medical condition or for general health and well-being. In order to purchase these items under your plan, your personal physician must recommend them to you for a specific diagnosed condition. Please speak to and confirm with your physician before ordering these items. Items include, but are not limited to, vitamins and minerals, home monitoring and testing, and weight loss items.

Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1, 2024, and from time to time during the year.

Independence Blue Cross has contracted with New Ocean Health Solutions, an independent company, to manage the Independence health rewards program for Independence Blue Cross members. New Ocean Health Solutions has subcontracted with Tango Card, Inc., an independent company, to manage the gift card service related to the Independence health rewards program. Offer only for eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries who completed a health care activity, may not be redeemed for cash (unless required by law). Tango Card, Inc. at its discretion may substitute a gift card of the same value. Terms and conditions may apply for this rewards program. To learn more, visit rewardsgenius.com/reward-link-terms-of-service. Independence Blue Cross, New Ocean Health Solutions, and Tango Card, Inc., are not affiliated with the gift card companies. Please see gift card for terms and conditions of use.