Turning 65? We are here to help!
Your Trusted Medicare Guides
Turning 65 is an big milestone, and it can be really confusing when you are figuring out Medicare. It is also a critical time, because the decisions you make now could have an impact for the rest of your life.
Are you facing any of these questions?
? I am still working. How does my employer health coverage work with Medicare?
? I have VA benefits. How does that work with Medicare?
? I am on my spouses's benefits. Does that change how I enroll in Medicare?
At Mesa Benefits, we take pride in helping Western Colorado residents make confident, informed decisions as they enter Medicare. We’ll walk you through each step, explain your options in plain language, and help you avoid costly mistakes or missed deadlines.
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The Top 5 Things You Need to Know When You Are Turning 65
1
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) Is Key
Your Medicare journey starts with a 7-month window around your 65th birthday — three months before, the month of, and three months after. This is when you can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, choose a Medicare Advantage plan, or add Part D prescription coverage. Missing this window can lead to late enrollment penalties, so planning ahead is essential.
2
You Need to Understand Your Coverage Options: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
You have two main options:
- Original Medicare (Parts A & B) — broad nationwide coverage, but no dental, vision, or prescription coverage unless you add
Part D and/or Medigap.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) — combines all your coverage into one plan, often including
extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, or fitness programs, but usually with
network limits.
We can help you understand these options helps you choose what best fits your health needs and lifestyle.
3
Medicare Doesn’t Cover Everything — Plan Ahead
Medicare covers hospital, medical, and (with Part D) prescription costs — but it does not cover most long-term care, dental, or routine vision services. If those are important to you, you’ll want to explore Medigap policies, Medicare Advantage benefits, or long-term care coverage to fill the gaps.
4
You Might Be Automatically Enrolled — or You Might Not
If you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, and if so, your card will arrive about three months before your birthday.
If you’re not receiving benefits yet, you’ll need to actively sign up through the Social Security Administration — it’s not automatic.
5
Still Working? You May Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
If you’re still working and have health coverage through your employer or union, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up for Medicare without a late enrollment penalty after your Initial Enrollment Period ends. The SEP typically lasts for eight months after your employment or group coverage ends.
ABOUT US
At Mesa Benefits, we’re more than just your local Medicare and insurance advisors — we’re your neighbors, friends, and trusted guides through the often confusing world of insurance. As a husband-and-wife team, Bruce Hagen and Stephanie Garcia-Hagen bring both professional expertise and genuine care to every client relationship. We specialize in helping individuals and families navigate Medicare, Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurance, and Health Insurance under 65 with clarity and confidence. By providing clear, fact-based comparisons and personalized guidance, we ensure you can make informed decisions that fit your lifestyle, health needs, and budget.
We believe insurance should never feel overwhelming — and that’s why we make the process easy as pie. Rooted in Western Colorado, we’re proud to serve our community with honesty, integrity, and heart. When we’re not meeting with clients, you’ll find us camping in the Rockies, spending time with our blended family of four children and three grandchildren, or escaping to warmer destinations in the winter.
At Mesa Benefits, we love where we live, and we love what we do — guiding you through the Medicare insurance process, every step of the way.
Meet the Mesa Benefits Team
Stephanie Garcia-Hagen
Bruce Hagen
Call us at (970) 549-0410 or email us at info@mesabenefits.com. We are here to help!