Medicare Enrollment Periods

Medicare Enrollment

Medicare enrollment could be automatic for some people, while for others, it generally depends on when they turn 65 or how they become eligible for Medicare.

If you are eligible, you can enroll for Medicare in several ways.

• Online at www.Socialsecurity.gov
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
• A licensed Medicare Specialist will consult you to determine your eligibility and guide you through the enrollment process. Click here to fill out the form to get a complimentary consultation.

Click here to review what is required to qualify for Medicare.

 Initial Enrollment Period

You can enroll for Medicare during the Initial Enrollment Period. The Initial Enrollment Period is an opportunity for newly eligible enrollees to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B.  This period starts three months before you turn 65 and lasts until three months after you turn 65.

During Medicare enrollment periods, eligible individuals can register for Medicare and existing enrollees can review or switch Medicare plans. You can enroll for Medicare during the Initial Enrollment Period if:

• You are not receiving retirement benefits
• Are close to turning 65
• You have turned 65

GENERAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD

This period starts from January 1st and ends on March 31st. However, the Medicare coverage will come into effect on July 1st. If you are not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Original Medicare during this period. Also, if you failed to register when you were first eligible you can sign up at this time. However, you will pay a late enrollment penalty for Original Medicare.

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD

During this period, you can purchase a Medicare Supplement plan, provided that you have signed up for Original Medicare. This period lasts for six months after you turn 65 and are enrolled in Original Medicare.

ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD

This period starts on October 15th and ends on December 7th. You can make changes to your Medicare coverage during this period. If  you are an existing enrollee you can switch to:

• A Medicare Advantage plan from Original Medicare
• A new insurer
• Join or drop a prescription drug plan
• A Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage

After making changes to your Medicare coverage during this period, the changes will come into effect starting from January 1st.

Automatic Enrollment

There are some situations where you may be enrolled for Medicare automatically. 

Social Security Recipient

If you receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits or Social Security benefits, you will automatically enroll for Medicare when you turn 65.

Disability

If you already receive disability benefits when under 65, either from the Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled in Original Medicare once you have received disability benefits for more than 24 months. People who have ALS will automatically be enrolled for Original Medicare the same month they receive disability benefits.

Manual Enrollment

Medicare enrollment is not automatic if you don’t’ fall into the categories above. You will need to manually enroll as soon as you become eligible to avoid paying the late enrollment penalty.

You can register for Medicare in person by:

• Visit your local Social Security office
• Contact the Railroad Retirement Board to speak to a representative who will help you register for Medicare.

Special Enrollment Period

During this period, you may be able to sign up for Medicare or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan under some special circumstances.  Some special cases that may make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period are:

• Move outside of your plan’s service area
• Retire and lose employer health coverage
• Your spouse retires and you lose plan coverage
• Lose COBRA coverage

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

 During this period, enrollees who have a Medicare Advantage plan can switch between Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.

Delayed Enrollment

You can delay Medicare enrollment without facing the late enrollment penalty if you are:

• Still working and you have employer health insurance
• Covered under your spouse’s health insurance.
• Moving
• Losing employer coverage

Enrollment Penalties

Missing enrollment windows without creditable coverage can result in penalties. If you go 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage after becoming eligible for Medicare, you may incur a late enrollment penalty.

Late Enrollment Penalties for Original Medicare

Original Medicare includes Part A, Part B, and Part D. Penalties can apply to Part B and Part D if enrollment is delayed.

Part B Late Enrollment Penalty

If someone does not sign up for Medicare Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period and does not have qualifying employer coverage, a penalty may apply. The Part B penalty works like this:

• The monthly premium increases by 10% for each 12-month period the person was eligible but did not enroll.
• The penalty is permanent and is added to the monthly Part B premium.
• It remains in place for as long as the person has Part B coverage.

Part D Late Enrollment Penalty

The Medicare Part D penalty applies if someone goes 63 consecutive days or longer without creditable prescription drug coverage. The penalty is calculated based on the number of months without coverage and a national base beneficiary premium set by Medicare. This penalty is added to the monthly Part D premium and generally lasts for as long as the individual has Medicare drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage Late Enrollment Considerations

Medicare Advantage plans combine Part A and Part B coverage, and many plans also include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage itself does not have a separate late enrollment penalty. However, penalties from Original Medicare still apply. Some scenarios that may cause late enrollment penalties are:

• Part B late enrollment penalty even if you join a Medicare Advantage plan later.
• Part D penalty when enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.

Late Enrollment Penalty Calculation

The late enrollment penalty based on the number of months you were without coverage and why enrolling on time is so important. After calculation, the penalty is added to your monthly premium and continues for as long as you have a Medicare Part D plan.

Get Medicare Enrollment Help

Understanding the requirements to be eligible for Medicare and how to enroll can be a complicated process. However, at Medigap Supplement Headquarters, we can help simplify the process. Contact us today to get your questions answered.