How to Enroll

Step by step instructions on how to get your coverage

Enrollment in Medicare Doesn’t Have to be Complicated

Let us guide you through the process.

When Can I Enroll in Medicare?

You are eligible to enroll in Medicare when you are turning 65. At that time, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to sign up for Part A and Part B. Your enrollment period starts 3 months before the month that you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month in which you turn 65. This gives you a seven-month enrollment window. If you wait until the month you turn 65 or longer to enroll, your Medicare Part B coverage will be delayed potentially leaving a gap in your coverage.

Automatic Enrollment

You will be enrolled in Medicare automatically if:

• You are already receiving Social Security benefits.

• You are already receiving Railroad Retirement Board benefits.

• You have been receiving Social Security disability for 24 months.

You Will Need to Enroll

You will need to manually enroll if:

• You are within 3 months of your 65th birthday, but not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.

• You worked for a railroad.

• You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

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When Are The Enrollment Periods?

Planning your enrollment in Medicare can be simple if you know when the enrollment periods are.

Annual Open Enrollment for Medicare

January 1 – March 31

During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period you can:

Disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan
Switch from a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Switch between Medicare Advantage Plans
Enroll in Traditional Medicare (Part A & Part B), with or without Rx drug coverage (Part D)

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

October 15 – December 7

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period you can:

Move from one plan to another
Enroll in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or Original Medicare

Changes you make during this period become effective January 1 of the upcoming year.

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Special Enrollment Period

Anytime during the calendar year

During a Special Enrollment Period you can change plans or enroll if you meet these qualifying circumstances:

You have moved into or out of the plan’s service area
You’ve lost employer coverage
You moved into or out of a long-term care or skilled nursing facility
If you qualify for the federal Extra Help Low Income Subsidy Program
If you qualify for a State Medicaid program

If you’re covered under a group health plan through your employer you can sign up for Part A and/or Part B anytime. You also have an 8-month period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B beginning the month after your employment ends and your employer-sponsored coverage terminates.

Late enrollment penalties are usually waived if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period.

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Other Special Considerations

As you transition off of your work health coverage and onto Medicare, there are special situations you will want to be aware of. Your Insurance broker can help navigate these questions free of charge.

COBRA coverage

COBRA health plans aren’t considered employer coverage to qualify for the Special Enrollment Period.

If you miss your Special Enrollment Period, you have to wait until the next OEP which will be January 1 – March 31 to sign up for Medicare coverage. Beyond the enrollment period, your coverage will start that following July 1 and you may have to pay a Part B late enrollment penalty.

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Medigap Enrollment Periods

If you choose Medigap coverage:

The best choice is to purchase your Supplemental Medigap Plan during your initial Open Enrollment Period. Once that Open Enrollment period starts, it can’t be delayed. If you apply for Medigap after your Open Enrollment period, insurance companies do not have to cover you if you don’t meet their medical underwriting guidelines.

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INFORMATION

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