If you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time, you will need to follow certain steps during a period called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
Your IEP starts three months before the month you turn 65, and ends three months after.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Three Months
Before Your Birthday
Your 65th
Birthday Month
Three Months
After Your Birthday
If you miss your IEP, you may have to pay a penalty (higher monthly premium), so be sure to apply as soon as you can.
It’s easier than you think. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) when you become eligible. If not, you can sign up for it through the Social Security Administration.
Contact Social Security:
By phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
In person (when available): Find a nearby office at www.ssa.gov/locator/
Online: Apply at www.ssa.gov/medicare
Once you get Original Medicare, you will qualify to add a Part D prescription drug plan, Medicare Supplemental, or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance, and vision, hearing, and dental services. Some of these plans also include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Ready to choose? See which Medicare Advantage plan is right for you.
If you have health coverage through your current employer or your spouse’s current employer, you may be able to delay getting Original Medicare, then sign up later during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)―without a penalty. In general, it's best to check with your employer about your options before your 65th birthday.
You will need to get either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. When you qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare, you are considered “dual eligible” and will receive benefits from both.
In addition, you may pay a low (or no) cost for your Medicare coverage, and most of your healthcare costs will likely be covered.
You may be able to get Medicare coverage before age 65.
If you’ve received disability benefits for at least 24 months, you’ll get Parts A and B automatically. Special rules apply if you have ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) or end-stage renal disease (kidney failure).
You can change it. Every year, you’ll have the opportunity to switch plans during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Changes made during this period take effect January 1 of the following year. If you have certain life changes―for example, you move or become eligible for certain assistance programs―you may be able to switch plans at other times.
If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (see below), you can sign up during the Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP), but you may have to pay penalties.
During the GEP, you can enroll in Original Medicare from January through March of every year and your Medicare coverage will begin the following month. You can also choose a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) and your coverage would begin the month following enrollment.
The penalties for late enrollment can be expensive! Your monthly premium for Part B (Medical Insurance) will go up―by 10% for each year you wait to enroll. This penalty lasts for as long as you have Medicare.
To avoid these penalties, don’t wait to sign up for Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan!
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