Does Medicare Start The Month Of Your Birthday

When Does Medicare Start: When You Turn 65 Medicare Coverage Starts For Most Medicare Beneficiaries

I know that Medicare is a big topic. Its also very confusing, so I wanted to break down what it means for you in the simplest way possible.

We will go over many of the common questions that are asked by Medicare Beneficiaries and some you may not have thought of yet.

If this sounds like your question then let us take a look.

What Other Times Can You Sign Up

You may also become eligible for Medicare for other reasons. If youre eligible due to a disability, you qualify after youve received Social Security disability or certain Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.

If you have end-stage renal disease , youre eligible in the fourth month of dialysis treatment, possibly earlier.9 And if you have ALS, you qualify the same month your disability benefits begin.10

Should I Sign Up For Medical Insurance

With our online application, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B. Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down.

If youre eligible at age 65, your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday.

Note: Important Upcoming Change Rules for 2023 and later: If you accept the automatic enrollment in Medicare Part B or if you sign up during the first three months of your IEP, your coverage will start the month youre first eligible. Beginning January 1, 2023, if you sign up during the month you turn 65 or during the last three months of your IEP, your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up.

The following chart shows when your Medicare Part B becomes effective in 2022:

The following chart shows when your Medicare Part B becomes effective in 2023:

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What If Im Not Automatically Enrolled At 65

If your Medicare enrollment at 65 is not automatic, but you want to enroll, here are some more magic numbers.

3 and 7.

To start taking advantage of Medicare at 65, you need to sign up during the three months before the birthday month you turn 65. Those are the first three months of your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period.

Unless your birthday is on the first day of the month, your Initial Enrollment Period includes the three full months before turning 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after you turn 65. If you were born on the first day of the month, IEP is the four months before your birth month, along with your birthday month and the two months after.

If you sign up during one of the months before your 65th birthday, your coverage will begin on the first day of the month you turn 65 .

Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?

Sign Up 3 Months Before Birthday

If you sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65.

Example:

Your 65th birthday is on May 20. If you sign up for Medicare in February, March, or April, your coverage will start on May 1.

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When Is My Medicare Effective Date

Summary:

Your Medicare effective date depends on when your Medicare coverage begins. For many people, this date is the first day of the month in which they turn 65. Your Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B effective dates may be different. You know you are eligible for Medicare at age 65 or the 25th month of receiving disability benefits, but when exactly does your Medicare coverage start?

Important Medicare Dates To Remember

It’s important to be aware of the different enrollment periods for Medicare, which may vary depending on the type of plan you get and your birthday. Enrolling during those periods can help you reduce health care costs. Other important dates include your coverage start dates and your window for switching or updating your plan.

• Lee Williams

  Senior Financial Editor

  Lee Williams is a professional writer, editor and content strategist with 10 years of professional experience working for global and nationally recognized brands. He has contributed to Forbes, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen.com, Electric Literature and The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs and published authors.

Our fact-checking process starts with vetting all sources to ensure they are authoritative and relevant. Then we verify the facts with original reports published by those sources, or we confirm the facts with qualified experts. For full transparency, we clearly identify our sources in a list at the bottom of each page.

Content created by RetireGuide and sponsored by our partners.

Key Principles

Editorial Independence

Timeliness is important when it comes to enrolling in and shopping for Medicare plans.

Signing up for Medicare during enrollment periods allows you to get coverage at the optimal price. Missing certain enrollment dates may mean higher premiums, late penalties and fewer plan options.

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Understanding Medicare Vs Medicaid In 2022

Medicare and Medicaid are two government-sponsored health insurance programs that can be confusing, especially because they both provide health coverage for Americans. But there are actually significant differences between them. After all, depending on which program you qualify for, you could pay quite a bit more for your health care. So, let’s have a closer look at Medicare vs Medicaid: what are they, how do they work, and who can

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Medigap Open Enrollment Period

You can sign up for a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Although it sounds similar to your Initial Enrollment Period and Medicare Open Enrollment Period, it is different.

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period isa six-month period of time that begins the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B. If you do not enroll in Part B during the month you turn 65, it begins when you enroll in Part B.

Enrolling in a Medigap plan during your Open Enrollment Period comes with a few benefits. You will get the best prices, and you wont be subject to medical underwriting. This means that you are guaranteed to be accepted into the plan of your choice, regardless of any healthcare problems you may currently have.

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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:

Who Is Automatically Enrolled In Medicare

If youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before your 65th birthday, youll be enrolled automatically in Medicare Part A and Part B. If you live in Puerto Rico and are receiving those benefits, only Part A will come to you automatically youll need to take extra steps to enroll in Part B.

Youll receive your Medicare card in the mail and can start using it the beginning of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of a month, your coverage will start a month earlier.

Part A, which covers hospitalization, is free if you or your spouse has paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters, the equivalent of 10 years. Part B, which covers doctor and outpatient services, has a monthly premium of $170.10 for most people in 2022, and the Social Security Administration will automatically deduct the premium from your monthly benefit.

But if you or your spouse is still working and you have health insurance from that employer, you may not have to enroll in Part B yet. You can send back the card and enroll in Part B later. Follow the instructions on the back of the card to delay enrolling in Part B if youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.

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Im Turning 65 When Does Medicare Start For Me

Most people enter Medicare because they turn 65. This is known as aging in to Medicare. Every day over 10,000 Americans turn 65, so the Medicare ranks are swelling. When you enter Medicare due to turning 65, you have a seven-month window during which you can enroll. This window is called your Initial Election Period . The seven months of this window include:

• The three months before the month you turn 65
• The month you turn 65
• The three months after the month you turn 65

You can enroll in Original Medicare, Parts A, and B, at any time during this window. In many cases, your enrollment will be automatic. This usually happens when youre already receiving Social Security income in retirement. If youre automatically enrolled, your coverage will begin on the first day of the month in which you turn 65.

If youre not automatically enrolled, youll have to enroll manually. This is best done online through SSA.gov. When you enroll manually, your actual coverage start date depends on when you apply. If you apply before the month of your 65th birthday, your Part A and B coverage will begin on the first day of your 65th birth month.

If you apply during your 65th birth month, your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you turn 65. If you apply after your 65th birth month, your effective date is delayed as follows:

When Will You Get Your Medicare Card

Your Medicare card will arrive in your Welcome to Medicare packet. Once youve submitted your application, the packet will arrive about two weeks after youve been approved.12

If youre already receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, expect the packet to arrive about three months before you turn 65.

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Do Disabled Qualify For Medicare Prior To Turning 65

Yes, disabled individuals qualify for Medicare prior to turning 65. In order to qualify, they must have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for at least 24 months.

In the 25th month of receiving SSDI, you will be enrolled in Medicare automatically. However, you will need to decide if a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement plan is your best option while receiving SSDI.

People with ALS are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare the first month they collect disability benefits.

If you have ESRD, you must enroll in both Parts A and B to get full benefits.

Do Veterans Need To Sign Up For Medicare Part B And Part D Coverage

If you are a veteran, you may be wondering if you need to sign up for Medicare Part B and Part D coverage.

The answer is that it depends on your situation. The Veterans Administration recommends all veterans enroll in both Parts of Medicare. This allows you to receive your care either within the VA or outside of the VA from a private doctor.

You are not required to obtain Part D coverage as the VA provides creditable prescription drug coverage.

As. the VA does not provide creditable Part B coverage if you decide to enroll at a later date you will be charged a late enrollment penalty.

You will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A at 65, but you have the choice to enroll in Part B and D of Medicare.

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Medicare Deadline: 65 Or Older And Still Working

If you are 65 or older, currently employed, and get health care coverage through your employer, you can wait to sign up for Medicare until you retire or your coverage with your employer ends. In this scenario, you have an 8-month window to sign up for Medicare . This is considered a Special Enrollment Period.

Should I Sign Up During My Initial Enrollment Period

For most people, the answer is yes. They need to sign up for Medicare during their seven-month initial enrollment period , which starts three months before the month you turn age 65 and ends three months after your birthday month. If your 65th birthday is in June, your IEP begins March 1 and ends Sept. 30.

If your birthday falls on the first day of a month, the whole initial enrollment period moves forward one month. For example, if your birthday is June 1, your IEP begins Feb. 1 and ends Aug. 31.

If you or your spouse is still working and you have health insurance coverage from that active employer, you may be able to wait. But otherwise, you need to sign up for Medicare during your IEP to avoid late enrollment penalties and delayed coverage.

The phrase active employer is key. If you have other insurance that isnt from your own or your spouses current employer, you will still need to sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period. You need to sign up during your IEP in all of these circumstances: If you have

• COBRA health coverage that extends the insurance you or your spouse received from an employer while working
• Health insurance that you bought yourself and no employer provided it
• No health insurance
• Retiree benefits from your own or a spouses former employer
• Veterans benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs health system but no insurance from a current employer

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Im On Disability When Does Medicare Start For Me

When youre disabled, you may have the opportunity to enter Medicare before you turn 65 years old. In fact, you can become eligible for Medicare once youve received disability income from either Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 consecutive months, regardless of your age. 24 months is the requirement for eligibility. You actually enter Medicare on the first day of the 25th month that you receive disability payments from the Government.

Just like when you enroll at age 65, youll also have an opportunity to add some private coverage when you gain eligibility due to disability. One difference, though, is that you probably wont have the option to enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance before you turn 65, even if you have Part A and B. Although there are some States that allow you to get this coverage, in most States your Medigap Open Enrollment Period wont start until you are BOTH age 65 and active in Part B.

Do Social Security Benefits Start The Month Of Your Birthday

Your birthday generally determines your monthly payment schedule: If the birthday is between the first and the 10th day of the month, the benefit payment arrives on the second Wednesday of each month. If the birthday is between the 11th and the 20th, the payment comes on the third Wednesday of the month.

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What Is Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is a prescription drug coverage plan that is separate from Original Medicare. Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. You can enroll in a Part D plan if you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan .

If you are enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan you are not allowed to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan. However, if you remain on Original Medicare with a Medigap plan you can obtain a stand-alone Part D plan available in your local area.

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How Long Does Medicare Coverage Last

For most people, this is a seven-month period. It starts three months before you turn age 65, includes your birthday month, and keeps going for three months after your birthday month. Many people are automatically enrolled at this time. Your Medicare coverage generally starts on the first day of your birthday month.

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How Do Medicare And Social Security Work Together

Youll get Medicare automatically if youre already receiving Social Security retirement or SSDI benefits. For example, if you took retirement benefits starting at age 62, youll be enrolled in Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. Youll also be automatically enrolled once youve been receiving SSDI for 24 months.

Youll need to enroll in Medicare if you turn 65 but havent taken your Social Security benefits yet. The Social Security Administration and Medicare will send you a Welcome to Medicare packet when youre eligible to enroll. The packet will walk you through your Medicare choices and help you enroll.

SSA will also determine the amount you need to pay for Medicare coverage. You wont pay premiums for Part A unless you dont meet the coverage rules discussed above, but most people will pay a premium for Part B.

In 2020, the standard premium amount is $144.60. This amount will be higher if you have a large income. Social Security uses your tax records to determine the rates you need to pay.

If you make more than $87,000 a year, SSA will send you an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount . Your IRMAA notification will tell you the amount above the standard premium you need to pay. Youll also be responsible for an IRMAA if you choose to buy a separate Part D plan and you make over $87,000.