What is Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?
It’s important to do your research about when and how to enroll in Medicare. Researching is how you will maximize your Medicare health benefits. If you are turning 65, you will need to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This period starts 3 months before you turn 65 and lasts 7 months. You will need to manually signup if you do not qualify for automatic enrollment.
Do you qualify for automatic enrollment in Original Medicare?
If you are almost 65 and you are already receiving Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB) or Social Security. Then initial enrollment in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B, happens automatically.
If you are eligible for Social Security retirement, then Medicare Part A enrollment is automatic. At the time you apply for retirement benefits, you also must sign up for Medicare Part B… You should get a Medicare card in your mailbox about three months before your 65th birthday if you are automatically enrolled.
You will get Part A premium-free if you paid Medicare taxes and worked at least 10 years (or 40 quarters). However, Medicare Part B has a monthly premium you have to pay. You may choose to postpone enrollment in Medicare Part B if you are already covered under a different plan, such as an employer group plan. Some people do this to avoid paying the Medicare Part B premium.
Note that you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when first eligible. This penalty lasts for the full length that you have Medicare. You can avoid this penalty if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This period happens because you are under the coverage of a current employer (either yours or your spouse’s). If this is the case, then you can postpone Medicare Part B enrollment until this group coverage ends.
If you have certain Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months. Then Medicare enrollment is also automatic. You should get a Medicare card in your mailbox on about the 22nd month of disability benefits.
If you have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease), you will also be automatically enrolled. This automatic enrollment is for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and starts the month your disability benefits begin.
If you have ESRD (end-stage renal disease), you can qualify for Medicare without receiving Social Security benefits. If you need a kidney transplant or kidney dialysis and have ESRD, then you can enroll in Original Medicare any time before turning 65.
When you should enroll in Medicare
You must sign up for Medicare Part A and/or B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) if you are not getting RRB benefits or Social Security at 65. This enrollment period starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, as well as your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. A 7-month time window.
If you don’t plan on receiving retirement at age 65, you can still enroll in Medicare during your IEP. You can choose to apply for Medicare only when you apply through Social Security. You may choose to receive Social Security retirement at another time.
What happens if you have not worked long enough and do not qualify for retirement benefits? Then, you can still enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period. The cost of your premium will vary, depending on how long you paid Medicare taxes and worked. However, if you want premium-free Medicare Part A, you may not qualify. You will also have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B if you sign up.
What happens if you miss your Initial Enrollment Period? If you miss it, then you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during the General Enrollment Period (GEP). This time period starts on January 1st and ends on March 31st every year. You will also be able to make changes to your coverage during the GEP. If you did not sign up during your IEP, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for both Part A and Part B.
Here’s how you can sign up for Original Medicare, Part A and Part B:
- Call 1–800–772–1213 (TTY users 1–800–325–0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.
- Visit www.ssa.gov
- Visit your local Social Security office
Did you work at a railroad? Then enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B by contacting the Railroad Retirement Board. Call the RRB at 1–877–772–5772, Monday — Friday, 9AM — 3:30PM; TTY users can call 1–312–751–4701.
You will get a red, white, and blue Medicare card once you enroll in Medicare. This card will show whether you have Medicare Part A, Part B, or both. Make sure to store your card in a safe place.
Apply for a replacement card or call Social Security’s toll free number if your card is ever stolen or lost. Call 1–800–772–1213 (TTY users 1–800–325–0778), Monday — Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.
When your Medicare coverage starts
Are you younger than 65 and already receiving retirement benefits? Then the first month you are eligible for Medicare (at age 65), your Medicare coverage will start.
Are you getting disability benefits through the RRB or Social Security? Then the RRB or Social Security Administration determines your effective date of coverage.
Did you sign up for Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) during your IEP? Then whichever month of the Initial Enrollment Period you signed up on will determine the start of your coverage. Look at the chart below which shows when your Medicare coverage becomes active depending on when you enrolled during your IEP.