Initial Enrollment
Turning 65? It’s initial enrollment time. Three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after your birthday month is your initial period of enrollment.
A Key item to Remember is that in order to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan, you must enroll in Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B is not an automatic enrollment but must be chosen by you. There is a premium associated with Part B. Enrolling is simple by going to SSA.gov/Medicare and enroll. You will be able to tell if you are enrolled properly by looking at your Medicare Card. It will say Part A and the effective date. If it does not show Part B, then you are not enrolled in Part B.
If you are employed, you may be able to enroll in Medicare through your employer. When you retire, it will be your initial enrollment period! Make certain to enroll in Part B by coordinating with your employer before your final date. Enroll in your plan as soon as you receive your new Medicare Card with Part A and Part B effective dates shown on it.
You do not have to enroll in Medicare through your employer. Make an informed decision. I suggest shopping to compare coverage, co-pays, deductibles and premiums before deciding. In some instances, it is less expensive and better coverage to opt-out of your employer’s plan and enroll in your own separate Medicare Plan. You must be enrolled in Parts A and B in order to enroll in your own separate Medicare Plan.
If you are on Disability, you may need to re-enroll into Medicare. It is best to check with Social Security and Medicare to confirm this is necessary.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)
Loss of employment, loss of coverage, having moved, a non-renewing medicare plan, a weather-related emergency or major disaster, a diagnosis of a chronic illness, and changes in your Medicaid status are the major reasons for a special enrollment period. Each of these circumstances have specific periods of time for the special enrollment period.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Enrollment Period. Already on Medicare? During the AEP, you can change your plans. The effective date for these plans is January 1.
Open Enrollment Period
January 1 to March 31. This period is specifically for people who missed signing up for Medicare Part B at the required time — either during their initial enrollment period or during a special enrollment period for Part B.
To Learn more about getting started visit Medicare.gov