When to Sign up for Medicare

Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program in the United States, primarily for people aged 65 and older. It also covers certain younger individuals with disabilities or end-stage renal disease. As an individual approaches the age of 65, they may wonder when they should sign up for Medicare.

Here are a few key enrollment periods to keep in mind:

• Initial Enrollment Period
• General Enrollment Period
• Annual Election Period
• Medicare Supplement Enrollment Periods
• Special Enrollment or Election Periods

Initial Enrollment Period

For those who have to enroll in Medicare, the first opportunity to do so is during your Initial Enrollment Period. This 7-month enrollment period begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after.

During the Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Original Medicare or you can opt for a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C Medicare). Medicare Advantage Plans are created and sold by private insurance companies and include everything that Original Medicare includes.

Medicare recipients who stay with Original Medicare can buy a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) during this time to help cover medical expenses not included in the 80% of Medicare-approved charges paid by Original Medicare.

Since Original Medicare does not include any prescription drug coverage, Medicare recipients can purchase a stand-alone Prescription drug plan during their Initial Enrollment Period.

General Enrollment Period

Each year from January 1 to March 31, a Medicare General Enrollment Period takes place. During this time, those who were not automatically enrolled can sign up for Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B.

This is also a good time for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in or change a Medicare Advantage plan or purchase a Part D prescription drug plan.

Annual Election Period

The yearly Annual Election Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 31. During the AEP, you can add, switch, or drop Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) or Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C).

Medicare recipients who did not choose to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan during their Initial Enrollment Period and choose to enroll in one during an Annual Election Period might have to pay a penalty for late enrollment.

Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a crucial time for Medicare beneficiaries. This six-month period begins on the first day of the month in which you’re both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During the OEP, you have a guaranteed right to buy any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state, regardless of your health status.

This means insurance companies cannot refuse to sell you a policy, charge you more due to existing health conditions, or impose a waiting period unless you have pre-existing conditions. Remember, though OEP provides an unrestricted opportunity to choose a Medigap policy, it’s a one-time window, making it vital to understand and evaluate your options carefully.

Special Enrollment or Election Periods (SEPs)

If you or your spouse continues working beyond the age of 65 and have employee group insurance coverage, you can postpone signing up for Part B Medicare as long as the employment continues and/or you have creditable medical insurance.

You may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) during any month:

• You or your spouse remain employed AND you continue to be covered under the employer’s group health plan
• During 8 months starting with the month employment or group health plan coverage ends (whichever happens first)

Individuals eligible for Medicare based on a disability may be allowed a Special Enrollment Period due to their own or a spouse’s current employment. Eligibility for the SEP may be based on a spouse’s or other family member’s current employment if the employer has a minimum of 100 employees.

How Do I Apply For Medicare?

In the United States, most people aged 65 years and older are eligible for Medicare coverage. Many U.S. citizens and individuals who have lived in the United States for at least five consecutive years will not need to Sign up for Medicare because they are receiving Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board RRB benefits.

Those who are not receiving Social Security benefits or are not eligible for Social Security benefits can enroll by contacting the Social Security Administration in one of the following ways:

• Visit the Social Security Website
• Call 1-800-772-1213 (or 1-800-325-0778 for TTY users) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Consult a Social Security specialist in person at your local Social Security office.