Can You Enroll In Medicare Anytime

An Employer Offer To Help With The Cost Of Coverage

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you or anyone in your household newly gained access to an individual coverage HRA or a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement in the past 60 days OR expects to in the next 60 days.

Note: Your employer may refer to an individual coverage HRA by a different name, like the acronym ICHRA.

Generally, youll need to apply for and enroll in individual health insurance before your individual coverage HRA or QSEHRA starts. However, your employer may offer different options for when your individual coverage HRA or QSEHRA can start so you have more time to enroll. Contact them or check the notice you got from your employer for more information. If youre currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan with savings, these savings may change because of the help you get through a job. Get more information on how your savings may change if you have an individual coverage HRA or QSEHRA offer.

If you qualify to enroll in Marketplace coverage through this Special Enrollment Period, call the to complete your enrollment. You cant do this online.

When Can You Buy A Medigap Policy

Once youre age 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B for the first time, you have a six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period in which you can buy a Medigap policy. During this period, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems .

If, though, you apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance after your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you could be turned down for a policy if you have certain health conditions.

When Is The Earliest I Can Enroll In Medicare

Unless you qualify for Medicare before age 65 because of a disability, the first time youre eligible to sign up is during your initial enrollment period , which begins three months before the month you turn 65 and lasts for three months afterward.

So if youre a few months past your 65th birthday, you still may be in your initial enrollment period. Where you are in your initial enrollment period determines when your Medicare coverage starts:

If you enroll during those first three full months before your birthday, your Medicare begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 or the first day of the previous month if your birthday is on the first of the month.

If you sign up during the month you turn 65, coverage begins on the first day of the following month.

But if you wait until the fifth, sixth or seventh month of your initial enrollment period, coverage will be delayed two or three months.

However, those rules change Jan. 1. Starting in 2023, if you enroll after your birthday month, coverage will take effect at the beginning of the following month.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Average Cost For Medicare Part B

Applying For Medicare Online

Applying for Medicare online is a quick and easy process on the Social Security website, taking approximately ten minutes. After you have applied for Medicare online, you can check the status of your application and/or appeal, request a replacement card, and print a benefit verification letter.

You can easily apply online for Medicare and Social Security retirement benefits or just Medicare.

When Can You Disenroll From A Medicare Advantage Plan

Like switching Medicare Advantage Plans, you can only disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan during certain times of the year.

You can disenroll from your plan during the annual election period, special election periods or during the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, Dworetsky says. Medicare will automatically disenroll you from your old plan if you switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan during any of these periods.

Recommended Reading: Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Annual Wellness Visits

Medicare Special Enrollment Period

Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period .

Medicare Special Enrollment Periods can happen at any time during the year. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period for a number of reasons, which can include:

• You moved to a new area that is outside of your current Medicare Advantage plan’s service area
• You left your employer coverage
• Medicare ended your current Medicare Advantage plan’s contract

A licensed insurance agent can help you find out if you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period.

When Is Medicare Part D Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D coverage is October 15 through December 7, the same dates as open enrollment for other parts of Medicare. Depending on your situation, you may also be able to update or change your prescription drug plan during several other Medicare enrollment periods throughout the year.

Don’t Miss: What Is A Good Medicare Plan

What Happens If I Miss My Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period

Your eligibility may be impacted if you miss the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period:

• Your application could be declined if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
• Your premium may be higher if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
• Some plans may require you to pay the plan premium but wait for a few months before theyll cover any expenses related to your pre-existing medical condition.

Documents Needed If You Sign Up In Person

• An original or certified copy of your birth certificate or other proof of birth
• Proof of United States citizenship or legal residency if not born in the U.S.
• Your Social Security card if you are already receiving benefits
• A copy of your most recent W-2 form and/or self-employment tax return
• U.S. military discharge papers if you served before 1968
• Health insurance information

Also Check: What Is Medicare Plus Blue Group Ppo

When Does Medicare Part A And B Coverage Start

To avoid a gap in coverage, sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B in the three months before your 65th birthday. If you do, your coverage will start in your birthday month.

If you sign up toward the middle or end of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage will start from one to six months after your birthday month, depending on when you enroll.

What Is The Medicare General Enrollment Period

From January 1 to March 31 each year, those who are eligible for Medicare can sign up for the first time, but you may have a late penalty if you’re signing up after your initial enrollment period.

The Medicare general enrollment period is for new enrollees who do not have any type of Medicare. If you want to change parts of your existing Medicare coverage, youâll probably need Medicare open enrollment in the fall. During general enrollment, you’ll have the same options as during initial enrollment â you can sign up for Medicare Part A, B, C or D. The coverage you select will begin on July 1.

However, enrolling in Medicare after your initial enrollment period means you could pay a penalty. This isn’t a one-time fee. Instead, it’s an increase in your monthly costs based on how long you didn’t have coverage.

Also Check: Is Victoza Covered By Medicare

How To Apply For A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

Medicare Part D is a drug prescription plan that is also offered by private insurance carriers accredited with Medicare. In most cases, this plan is included in Medicare Part C.

If you have Original Medicare and want Medicare Part D, the steps for enrolling are the same as those for Medicare Part C including the following:

• You can find a Medicare prescription drug plan from the Medicare Plan Finder.
• You may apply online but Medicare will still require that you fill out a paper enrollment form.

The Fundamentals Of Medicare

At its simplest, you should know that Medicare is a federal program that offers health insurance coverage for individuals that are 65 years of age or older. In some cases, it is also available to younger people if they have certain disabilities, such as ALS or End-Stage Renal Disease.

If you are turning 65, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare up to three months before or after your birthday. It isnt mandatory though. You can also decide to delay enrolling in Medicare if you are still working and want to stay on your employers health care plan.

What some people dont realize, however, is that it is just a myth that you have to quit work or that you have to start receiving social security payments before you can enroll in Medicare. The truth is, you can actually still continue to work and receive Medicare. If you elect to continue working and enroll, you may find that it is actually cheaper to change over to a Medicare Supplement than to stay on your employers insurance plan.

You May Like: What’s The Best Medicare Supplemental Plan

How Does Medicare Work With My Job

Keep in mind that:

• Most people qualify to get Part A without paying a monthly premium. If you qualify, you can sign up for Part A coverage starting 3 months before you turn 65 and any time after you turn 65 Part A coverage starts up to 6 months back from when you sign up or apply to get benefits from Social Security .
• If you have a Health Savings Account, you and your employer should stop contributing to it 6 months before you sign up for Part A to avoid a tax penalty.

General Medicare Enrollment For Those Who Didnt Sign Up When First Eligible

From January 1 to March 31 each year, during the General Enrollment Period, people who are eligible for Medicare Parts A and B but not yet enrolled can sign up for coverage. Coverage will take effect on July 1 of that year . If you didnt sign up for Part B when you were first eligible and you havent had creditable coverage from an employer plan in the meantime, youll have to pay an additional premium for your Part B plan, as a late enrollment penalty.

If you sign up for Medicare during the general enrollment period, you have three additional months during which you can select a Medicare Advantage plan. Note that if you already had Part A and used the general enrollment period to sign up for Part B, youll have to wait until the fall open enrollment period to buy a Part D plan. Thats because you were already eligible to enroll in Part D when you had just Part A, so you cant use the general enrollment period to buy Part D. However, if you have to pay a premium for Part A and youre using the general enrollment period to enroll in both Part A and Part B, you can then select a Part D plan in the April June window.

And once youre enrolled in Medicare Part B , youll have a one-time six-month enrollment window during which Medigap plans in your area are guaranteed issue. In most states, Medigap plans will be medically underwritten if you apply after that six-month window ends.

Don’t Miss: How Do I Get In Touch With Medicare

Can I Enroll In A Medicare Supplement Plan At Any Time

• Medicare with Melissa

Yes! This is great news for you. The only requirement to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan is that you have Medicare Part A and Part B.

These plans allow you to enroll whenever you want. Depending on your circumstances, you will either have a guarantee issue or you will have to be medically underwritten. We have described the special circumstances for a guarantee issue . If you are not entitled to a guarantee issue, you will be underwritten. This means you will answer a series of health questions and the insurance company will review your health history and then either accept you or decline you. Additionally, there are some states that have implemented legislation that gives their Medicare eligible people additional rights.

Signing Up For A Medigap Policy

To purchase a Medigap supplement insurance policy, you must first enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.

Medigap policies are not required but enrolling in one can help you pay out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.

The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is when you are first eligible.

This is a six-month enrollment period that begins the month youâre 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

If you apply for Medigap coverage after this six-month window, private insurance companies may not sell you a policy if youâre in poor health.

You can find a Medigap policy by using an online tool on the Medicare website, contacting your local SHIP or calling your State Insurance Department.

How to Sign Up for a Medigap Policy Online

Read Also: How To Compare Medicare Drug Plans

Do I Need To Do Anything If I Want To Keep The Same Medicare Plan

No, you donât. If you absolutely love your Medicare coverage, it will continue to renew, as long as you are paying your premiums throughout the year.

However, itâs always a good idea to review your Medicare coverage every year, whether you have a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, or any other plan.

Particularly, Medicare Advantage plans can change every year. Thereâs lots of moving pieces when it comes to Medicare coverage, so it is important to know your options.

Donât hesitate to reach out to Medicare Allies and make sure that you are in a good place with your plan. We want your needs to be met, and it never hurts to check!

Why Sign Up For Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is optional you dont have to sign up for it. Part D is the prescription drug coverage part of Medicare. But you dont automatically get Part D, even if youre one of the many who get enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B automatically.

Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, doesnt include prescription drug coverage, except in certain cases. Part A usually covers medications given as part of your treatment when youre a hospital inpatient. Part B may cover prescription drugs administered to you in an outpatient setting, such as a clinic. But when it comes to medications you take at home, Original Medicare doesnt cover them in most cases.

Theres another reason to think about signing up for Part D: if you dont sign up when youre first eligible for Medicare, you might have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you need medications at a later date and decide to sign up. Learn more about the Part D late enrollment penalty.

Don’t Miss: Who Can Help With Medicare Enrollment

When Your Coverage Starts

The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month.

If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65.

Part B : Coverage starts based on the month you sign up:

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

Your first chance to enroll in Medicare is around age 65 when you have a seven-month window to apply. This is your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period. You can file for Original Medicare Parts A and B, or sign up for a private Medicare plan at any time during the three months before, the month of, and the three months after your 65th birthday.

Need coverage the month you turn 65? You should sign up in the three-month window before your birthday.

Take a deeper dive in our related article about all-things Medicare Initial Enrollment Period.

Recommended Reading: What Are The Benefits Of Medicare For All

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period

Whether youre enrolling in Medicare Part C for the first time or want to make changes to an existing Medicare Advantage plan, there are many things to keep in mind. Youll need to know if you qualify for an enrollment period, when your benefits will start, and what happens if you dont meet the deadlines.

Also Check: How Can I Sign Up For Medicare Part B

When Is The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

You can sign up for Medicare during this seven-month period around your 65th birthday.

Your initial enrollment period begins three months prior to the month of your 65th birthday. It includes the month of your birthday, and your enrollment period ends three months after your birthday month.

If you sign up before your birthday, your Medicare coverage will start on the first of the month when you turn 65. If you sign up during your birthday month or the three months afterward, your coverage will start the first of the month after you enroll.

Itâs important to sign up for Medicare when you first become eligible because youâll avoid any late-enrollment penalties. The penalties are not a one-time charge. Instead, itâs a recurring fee, and the longer you go without Medicare, the higher your penalty. For example, if you sign up for Medicare Part B one year late, you could pay an extra $15 per month.

Medicare Eligibility Calculator

Your initial enrollment period based on your age is

Note that your enrollment period may differ if you currently have a disability or have certain medical conditions.

What can you do during initial enrollment?

During your Medicare initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D. When you turn 65, you’ll also be able to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, but these enrollment dates are slightly different.

Top three considerations when signing up for Medicare

Don’t Miss: How Can You Get A New Medicare Card