When Can I Sign Up for Medicare?

If you are approaching your 65th birthday, then you might be approaching the time that you become eligible for Medicare. Millions of older Americans qualify for Medicare benefits, but depending on several factors, the times when you can enroll in your plan will vary. a laptop computer sitting on top of a table

a laptop computer sitting on top of a table

Original Medicare is the primary, taxpayer-baked benefits program that acts as the foundation for other Medicare supplements available on the market. It provides Part A coverage for hospital benefits, and Part B coverage for everyday medical care needs.

Most Americans must enroll in Original Medicare before they can qualify for any additional benefits. There are three primary times when you will need to enroll in your benefits. These are:

1. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Some people qualify for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B automatically, and they are automatically enrolled in the program beginning the first day of the month they turn 65. However, other Americans must enroll in the program during their IEP. This is a 7-month period that:

Begins the first day of the month three months before the month of your 65th birthday.
Encompasses your birthday month.
Ends the last day of the month three months after the month of your 65th birthday.

So, if your birthday is June 22nd, your IEP starts on March 1 and runs through Sept. 30. If you fail to enroll in Original Medicare at this time, then penalties might result.

Keep in mind, if you qualify for a premium-free Part A benefit, then you can sign up for Part A at any time after you are first eligible. However, you can only enroll in Part B coverage during your IEP or one of the following times.

2. A Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Some people still have private health insurance because they or their spouse still works after the age of 65. In these circumstances, they might qualify for a SEP.

The SEP lasts for 8 months, and will start either:

The month after your employment ends

The month after your group health benefits

Whichever date comes first is the date you can begin your Medicare enrollment. In most cases, you will not have to pay a late enrollment period.

3. Medicare’s General Enrollment Period

If you do not enroll in Medicare when you are first eligible and you do not qualify for a SEP, then Medicare also offers a general enrollment period from Jan. 1 – March 31 annually.

However, if you enroll during general enrollment, you might be subject to late enrollment periods and higher premiums on both your Part A and Part B coverage. Therefore, it is highly advisable that everyone who qualifies for Medicare enrolls when they are first eligible for coverage.

Community Assurity Group is here to help you with all aspects of your Medicare enrollment. We can walk you through the process of signing up for both Original Medicare and its myriad of private plan options, so that you will have perfect health benefits at all times of life.

When Can I Sign Up for Medicare?

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