If Youre Not Receiving Social Security Retirement Benefits
If youre not already receiving Social security retirement benefits and youre approaching age 65, then you can sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period. This is a 7 month window that starts 3 months before, includes the month of your birthday, and ends 3 months after your birthday month. If your birthday falls on the 1st of the month, then your Medicare will begin one month prior to your birthday month.
You can apply online for Medicare Part A and Part B. Or, you can fax or mail in the required forms instead of applying online. Once you apply for Part B, you will also be enrolled in Part A. If a Social Security office is open, then you can apply in person. You also have the option to call and set up a phone appointment.
Its important to know that if you miss your initial enrollment for Part B then you could face a late enrollment penalty.
When Is The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is a limited annual enrollment period. It goes from January 1 â March 31 every year. During this time, you can:
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans, if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan
- Disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.
You cannot use this period to make most other coverage changes. However, if you decide to drop your Medicare Advantage plan, you can also use this period to join a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan, since Original Medicare doesnât include prescription drug coverage.
Outside of the Annual Election Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you cannot generally make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan unless you qualify for a Special Election Period.
When To Enroll In Medicare If I Am Receiving Retirement Benefits:
If youre already collecting Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security retirement benefits when you turn 65, you will automatically be enrolled Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B if you sign up for Medicare Part B at the time you sign up for retirement benefits.
If you live outside of the 50 United States or D.C. , you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A, but will need to manually enroll in Medicare Part B.
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What Happens If You Don’t Sign Up For Part B
If you dont sign up for Part B during your IEP, you can sign up during the GEP. The GEP runs from January 1 through March 31 of each year. If you sign up during a GEP, your Part B coverage begins July 1 of that year. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during the GEP. The cost of your Part B premium will go up 10% for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B but didntsign up. You may have to pay this late enrollment penalty aslong as you have Part B coverage.
How To Apply For Medicare
Medicare enrollment is easier than ever. Once you meet eligibility requirements, you are ready to choose from a variety of plans in which to enroll. As we mentioned earlier, some beneficiaries can receive automatic enrollment, and some must apply manually.
There are three ways to apply for Medicare Part A and Part B:
If you have previously been a railroad employee, you can enroll in Medicare by contacting the Railroad Retirement Board, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM 3:30 PM at 1-877-772-5772.
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Medicare applications generally take between 30-60 days to obtain approval.
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The Parts Of Medicare
Social Security enrolls you in Original Medicare .
- Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility . Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
- Medicare Part B helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.
Other parts of Medicare are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.
- Supplemental policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
- Medicare Advantage Plan includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B prescription drugs and additional benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental bundled together in one plan.
- Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough. You can sign up for Medicare medical insurance by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium. To learn more, read .
Signing Up For A Medicare Part D Plan
Medicare Part D drug coverage is optional and available to anyone with Medicare Part A and Part B.
Two Ways to Get Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
In both cases, you must already be enrolled in Original Medicare.
You can explore and compare available Part D plans on the Medicare website.
You can also call your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free help.
Once you find a plan that meets your needs, there are a few ways to sign up.
Four Ways to Sign Up for a Part D Drug Plan
To sign up for a Medicare Part D plan, you will need your Medicare number and the date your Part A and Part B coverage started. You can find this information on your Medicare card or on MyMedicare.gov.
Other Information You Need to Provide
- Your primary mailing address
- Whether you had or have other drug coverage
- How you want to pay your premiums
Coverage usually begins the first day of the month after enrollment.
If you switch plans during the open enrollment period , your new coverage will start Jan. 1.
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How To Sign Up For Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans: When Can I Enroll
Medicare Supplement insurance plans are voluntary, additional coverage that helps fills the gaps in coverage for Original Medicare. The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan is during your individual Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is the six-month period that begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 and have Medicare Part B. If you decide to delay your enrollment in Medicare Part B for certain reasons such as having health coverage based on current employment, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period will not begin until you sign up for Part B.
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you have a âguaranteed-issue rightâ to buy any Medigap plan sold in your state. This means that insurance companies cannot reject your application for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan based on pre-existing health conditions or disabilities. They also cannot charge you a higher premium based on your health status. Outside of this open enrollment period, you may not be able to join any Medigap plan you want, and insurers can require you to undergo medical underwriting. You may have to pay more if you have health problems or disabilities.
How Do I Sign Up For Medicare Parts A And B
If you’re already receiving Social Security retirement benefits before you turn age 65, Social Security will automatically enroll you in Medicare. Also, if you’re already receiving Social Security Disability benefits, Social Security will automatically enroll you in Medicare after 24 months. If you’re not sure if you need to enroll yourself, contact Social Security to find out.
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The Basics On Signing Up
Medicare enrollment in Part A and Part B is automatic if you have claimed Social Security benefits before your 65th birthday your Medicare card will arrive in the mail and coverage begins the first day of the month in which you turn 65. There is no premium charged for Part A in most cases, and you may be able to turn down Part B at that point without incurring late-enrollment penalties if you are still working and receive your primary insurance through work.
If you have not yet applied for Social Security, signing up for Medicare requires proactive steps to avoid problems.
Medicare offers an Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday. If you miss that window, you will be subject to a late enrollment surcharge equal to 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each 12 months of delay a penalty that continues forever. That can really add up. In 2017, 1.3 percent of Part B enrollees paid penalties , according to the Congressional Research Service. On average, their total premiums were 31 percent higher than what they would have been.
Medicares prescription drug program comes with a much less onerous late enrollment penalty, equal to 1 percent of the national base beneficiary premium for each month of delay. In 2019, the base monthly premium is $33.19, so a seven-month delay would tack $2.32 onto your plans premium.
Late enrollment also exposes you to significant gaps while waiting for Medicare coverage.
I Am Receiving Social Security Retirement Or Railroad Retirement Board Benefits
You will be enrolled in Original Medicare automatically when you turn 65. Youll get your Medicare card in the mail. Coverage usually starts the first day of your 65th birthday month.
If you have other , you can delay Part B and postpone paying the premium. You can sign up later without penalty, as long as you do it within eight months after your other coverage ends. If you dont qualify to delay Part B, youll need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid paying the penalty. You may refuse Part B without penalty if you have creditable coverage, but you have to do it before your coverage start date. Follow the directions on the back of your Medicare card if you want to refuse Part B.
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I Didnt Sign Up For Part B When I First Became Eligible But Want To Sign Up Now I Know There Is A Penalty For Late Enrollment Is There Any Way To Avoid The Penalty
Generally, no. In most cases, if you missed your Part B enrollment window, which runs from the three months before the month of your 65th birthday through the three months after the month of your 65th birthday, you will face a late enrollment penalty once you do enroll, which will be added to your premium costs for the remainder of your enrollment. The penalty equals 10% of the standard monthly premium for each 12-month period that you delayed enrollment.
If you did not enroll for Part B during your initial enrollment period, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B anytime as long as you or a spouse is working and youre covered by a group health plan through that employment. For people age 65 or over who have coverage through a group health plan, there is also an 8-month SEP which starts the month after the employment ends or the group health plan coverage ends. If you sign up during an SEP, the late enrollment penalty will not apply.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment happens every year from Jan. 1 to March 31. If youre enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to make changes, you can do one of these:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage
- Go back to Original Medicare and, if needed, also join a Medicare prescription drug plan
Your new coverage begins on the first day of the month following the month you make a change and will be in effect for the rest of the year.
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How To Sign Up For Medicare Part B Online
Are you working past 65?Retiring soon or thinking about leaving your employer plan? You can now fill out the Part B enrollment form online and get your Part B effective electronically. Individuals may use this online enrollment application if they are 65 or older and have or had group health plan coverage within the last 8 months through an employer.
Social Security Field Offices are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, the Social Security Administration will be taking Medicare Part B enrollment applications online for working aged individuals who qualify for a Special Enrollment Period .
To complete this online enrollment application, you will need:
- Your Medicare number
- Your current address and phone number
- A valid email address
How Do You Get Help With This Application
- Phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.
- En español: Llame a SSA gratis al 1-800-772-1213 y oprima el 2 si desea el servicio en español y espere a que le atienda un agente.
- In person: Your local Social Security office. For an office near you check www.ssa.gov.
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Complete The Online Medicare Application
The SSA provides a checklist for online Medicare applications that specifies the information youll need to create a Social Security account and complete the Medicare online application.
Note you must be within 90 days of your 65th birthday for this to be applicable, Norce says. If you had a Special Enrollment Period , for example working past 65 with employer insurance, you can apply online via Medicares secure online application specifically for this situation.
In order to complete an online application under the SEP for loss of employer coverage, youll either need a completed CMS-L564 form from your employer or to provide additional information, such as pay stubs showing your insurance premium payments, a copy of your current year ID or a tax return indicating your insurance payments, Norce says. You will need to convert these documents to a PDF or such, as you will be required to upload as verification of your Special Enrollment Period during the online application process, adds Norce.
I Want To Sign Up For Only Part A Or Both Part A & Part B
Once youre eligible to sign up for Medicare , you have 2 options:
Once you sign up , youll get a welcome package with your Medicare card.
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How To Cancel Medicare Part B
The Part B cancellation process begins with downloading and printing Form CMS 1763, but dont fill it out yet. Youll need to complete the form during an interview with a representative of the Social Security Administration by phone or in person.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Social Security Administration offices are currently closed. The SSA is still answering phone calls, and you can access many services on its website. See the latest COVID-19 updates.
You can schedule an in-person or over-the-phone interview by contacting the SSA. If you prefer an in-person interview, use the Social Security Office Locator to find your nearest location. During your interview, fill out Form CMS 1763 as directed by the representative. If youve already received your Medicare card, youll need to return it during your in-person interview or mail it back after your phone interview.
What happens next depends on why youre canceling your Part B coverage.
How Do I Change My Medicare Coverage
Your Medicare choices are not set in stone after the first time you enroll. You can make changes to your Medicare coverage during a few special Medicare enrollment periods.
- The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period , October 15 December 7
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 March 31
- The Medicare Special Enrollment Period for qualifying life events dates vary based on qualifying event
Learn how to make changes to your Medicare coverage during these three time periods:
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Does Medicare Cover Prescription Drugs
Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to everyone with Medicare. Private companies provide this coverage. You choose the Medicare drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered. If you decide not to join a Medicare drug plan when youre first eligible, and you dont have other creditable prescription drug coverage, or you dont get Extra Help, youll likely pay a late enrollment penalty. You may have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.
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If You Are Turning 65 And Retired:
If you are no longer an active employee, you should sign up for Medicare Parts A and B as soon as you are eligible. Medicare pays your eligible medical expenses and your state insurance pays secondary. If you do not enroll in Medicare, you will pay most or all of the amount that Medicare would have paid. If you delay enrollment in Medicare, SSA may also assess a late enrollment penalty if you attempt to enroll at a later date.
Once youve enrolled in Medicare
Call ERS to provide us with the information located on your Medicare ID card. ERS will confirm your enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B and start the process to enroll you in the HealthSelectSM Medicare Advantage Plan, preferred provider organization , administered by UnitedHealthcare.
Important: Until ERS receives your Medicare information, we cannot begin the process to enroll you in HealthSelect MA PPO. Plan ahead: The process can take 30 to 60 days before your HealthSelect MA PPO coverage begins. During this time, you will be enrolled in HealthSelectSM Secondary. If you need to access medical benefits while enrolled in HealthSelect Secondary, you will be charged a $200 deductible.HealthSelect MA PPO is a Medicare Part C plan that combines Medicare Parts A and B with your state health insurance. It provides additional group benefits you may not receive with Medicare alone and covers most or all of your medical expenses.
If you dont provide your Medicare information to ERS
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