Enrolling in a plan

When to enroll in Medicare

If you’re not receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll need to sign up for Medicare. You have seven months to sign up for Medicare – three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and three months after your 65th birthday.

If you wish to delay your enrollment, you can wait to enroll if you plan to keep working and have coverage through your employer or your spouse’s employer.

How to enroll in Medicare

Go to ssa.gov when you're ready to start your application. Scroll to the ‘How to Apply Online for Just Medicare’ section and click the button that says ‘Apply for Medicare Only’ to start the application.

If you don’t finish your application right away, you’ll get a code you can use to finish your application later. Once your application is approved, you can enroll in private health insurance plans to supplement your benefits if you choose.
Need help?

• Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
• Contact your local Social Security office

When to enroll in a WellSense Medicare Advantage Plan

• If you're new to Medicare
  • When you first become eligible for Medicare (either by age or disability), you may enroll in Original Medicare during your Initial Coverage Election Period. This enrollment period includes the three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after your birthday month.
  • Once you have Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
• If you already have Medicare
  • If you’re already enrolled in Medicare and have Original Medicare or a plan from a private insurance company, you can enroll in a WellSense Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Election Period that runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

How to enroll in a WellSense Medicare Advantage Plan online

WellSense Medicare Advantage Online Application

Go to our online application using the link above. In order to complete your application, you’ll need to have the following information handy:

• Your email address
• Your Medicare card
• The name of your primary care provider
• The name of the plan you want to enroll in
  • If you haven’t decided on a plan, view your options and compare plans here.
• How you want to pay for your plan. Your options include:
  • Mail a check
  • Set up automatic payments from your bank account – if you select this option, have your bank name, routing number and account number available
  • Pay online using a credit card
  • Have payments deducted from your Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefit check

How to enroll in a WellSense Medicare Advantage Plan by mail

To enroll by mail, print and complete an enrollment form and mail it to:

WellSense Health Plan Medicare Advantage
PO Box 106101
Jefferson City, MO 65110-9808

If you want to join a plan during fall open enrollment (October 15–December 7), the plan must receive your completed form by December 7. 

You may also fax your form to 866-266-0802.

Before enrolling

Before making an enrollment decision, it is important that you fully understand our benefits and rules. If you have any questions, you can call and speak to a Medicare Sales Specialist at 1-800-967-4497 (TTY 711).

Understanding benefits

• Review the full list of benefits found in the Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage (EOC), especially for those services that you routinely see a doctor. You can find these documents on the WellSense website, or call Member Services at 1-855 833-8128 (TTY 711) to request a mailed copy.
• Review the provider directory (or ask your doctor) to make sure the doctors you see now are in the network. If they are not listed, it means you will likely have to select a new doctor.
• Review the pharmacy directory to make sure the pharmacy you use is in the network. If the pharmacy is not listed, you will likely have to select a new pharmacy for your prescriptions.

Understanding important rules

• In addition to your monthly plan premium, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. If you are currently receiving Social Security, the Part B premium will be taken out of your check each month. If you are not receiving Social Security, you will be billed quarterly.
• Benefits, premiums and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.
• Our plan allows you to see providers outside of our network (non-contracted providers). However, while we will pay for covered services provided by a non-contracted provider, the provider must agree to treat you. Except in an emergency or urgent situations, non-contracted providers may deny care.

Read this information before you enroll in a WellSense Medicare Plan.

• WellSense Health Plan is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in WellSense Medicare Advantage HMO plans depends on contract renewal.
• Medicare beneficiaries may also enroll through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at medicare.gov.
• You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
• This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.

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