The Medicare enrollment periods are complicated. But it's important to stay informed and up-to-date on the enrollment periods to avoid penalties or coverage gaps.
Medicare End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
If you’re eligible for Medicare, there are several enrollment periods when you can sign up for Medicare
The six different Medicare enrollment periods include the following:
Initial Enrollment Period
General Enrollment Period
Annual Enrollment Period
Open Enrollment Period
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Special Enrollment Period
Medicare Enrollment Periods
Let's look at each of the enrollment periods.
If you're about to turn 65 and are newly eligible for Medicare, this is your gateway to start receiving your Medicare benefits. If you have a disability, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window that enables you to enroll in Medicare if you're about to turn 65, still working, and not yet getting social security or railroad benefits.
If you're already receiving social security or railroad benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
The IEP depends on your date of birth
If your birthday falls on the first of the month, it begins 4 months before your birth month and extends until 2 months after your birth month; otherwise...
It begins 3 months before your birth month and extends until 3 months after your birth month
For example, if your birthday falls in February, your IEP starts in November and ends in May. But if your birthday is on the 1st of February, your IEP begins in October and ends in April.
During your IEP, you can:
Enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
Enroll in Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug plan)
Enroll in Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan)
Failing to enroll during this 7-month Initial Enrollment Period may result in a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. In addition, you may incur a Part A penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium.
Initial Enrollment Period
The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1st to March 31st and is the time you can enroll in Medicare Part A and B if:
You missed enrolling in Medicare during your IEP
You don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period
If you're enrolling in Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, your coverage will begin the following month after you sign-up (Starting January 1, 2023).
You may incur late penalties for the duration of your enrollment in Medicare if you don't enroll in time. So, in addition to paying your regular premiums for Part B (and Part A, if applicable), you'll also have to pay a late penalty as long as you remain enrolled in Medicare.
If you're unhappy with your current plan, you can change your existing Medicare coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
During this period, you can:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan — or vice versa
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan
Switch from one Prescription Drug Plan to another
Enroll in Medicare Part D
Unenroll from a Prescription Drug Plan
If you switch your existing plan or enroll in a new plan during the AEP, your coverage will begin on January 1st.
If you're happy with your current plan, your plan will automatically renew on January 1st.
As a Fair Square Medicare client, you can rest assured that we will review your coverage and costs yearly during AEP to ensure you're not paying too much.
4. Open Enrollment Period
If you're currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan
During the OEP, you can:
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another (with or without drug coverage)
Unenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare
Enroll in a prescription drug or Medicare Part D plan if you're returning to Original Medicare
But, during this period, you can't:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Join a Medicare drug plan if you're in Original Medicare
Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you're in Original Medicare
If you make any changes to your Medicare coverage during the OEP, the new benefits will begin the following month.
Note: If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your IEP, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan
General, Open and Annual Enrollment Periods
If you plan to supplement your Original Medicare coverage with a Supplemental Plan or a Medigap Plan
The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a 6-month window that starts from the month you turn 65 and have Medicare Part B and ends 5 months after your birth month. For example, if your 65th birthday falls in February, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins in February and extends until July.
During the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you'll typically get better pricing and a wider choice of Medigap plans, regardless of your health status. You can purchase any plan offered in your state without undergoing medical underwriting.
Note: if you choose to enroll in a Medigap plan outside your Medigap Open enrollment period, insurance companies may use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application (and how much to charge you for the plan) unless you have guaranteed issue rights
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Medicare beneficiaries may be able to make changes to their existing Medicare health and drug coverage outside the regular enrollment periods if they qualify for the Special Enrollment Period.
You're eligible for the Special Enrollment Period if:
You move to a different location
You lose your current coverage
You have a chance to get other coverage
Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
The state you live in grants SEPs
During the Special Enrollment Period, you can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Prescription Drug Plan.
Understanding different Medicare enrollment periods helps you make informed decisions about your healthcare coverage, so you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're covered. Taking advantage of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period allows you to choose any plan, even if you have pre-existing health conditions.
Failure to enroll in Original Medicare or a prescription drug plan at the right time can result in unnecessary penalties.
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