Speak with a licensed insurance agent

+1-800-518-3986 | Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

+1-800-518-3986 | Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

+1-800-518-3986

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

Need an affordable or
$0 premium Medicare Plan?*

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

- Automatic enrollment for Original Medicare

- When to enroll in Medicare

- When Medicare coverage begins

To get the most out of your Medicare health benefits, it’s important for you to understand how and when to enroll in Medicare. Unless you qualify for automatic enrollment, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) that begins three months before you turn 65 and lasts for seven months.

Automatic enrollment for Original Medicare

Initial enrollment in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B, occurs automatically if you are turning 65 and already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB) benefits or will start collecting retirement at age 65. You will need to sign up for Medicare Part B at the time that you apply for retirement benefits, and Medicare Part A enrollment occurs automatically if you are eligible for Social Security retirement. A Medicare card will be mailed out about three months before your 65th birthday.

Medicare Part B comes with a monthly premium, while most people get Part A premium-free as long as they have worked at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) and paid Medicare taxes. Because Medicare Part B has a premium, some people may choose to delay enrollment if they are already covered under a different plan, such as an employer group plan.

Keep in mind that if you do not sign up for Medicare Part B when you are first eligible and sign up later, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for the duration that you have Medicare. If you delay Medicare Part B enrollment because of coverage under a current employer (either your own or your spouse’s), you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when this group coverage ends and will not be subject to the penalty.

Medicare enrollment is also automatic if the person has been entitled to certain Social Security and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits for at least 24 months. A Medicare card is mailed out about three months before the 25th month of disability benefits.

Beneficiaries with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B starting in the month that their disability benefits begin.

If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you do not need to be receiving Social Security disability benefits to qualify for Medicare and can still be working. If you have ESRD and require kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant, you can enroll in Original Medicare at any time before turning 65.

When to enroll in Medicare

If you aren’t receiving Social Security or RRB benefits when you turn 65, you will have to sign up for Medicare A and/or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month that you turn 65, and ends three months later.

You can enroll in Medicare during your IEP even if you do not plan to begin receiving retirement at age 65. When you apply through Social Security, there is an option to apply for Medicare only. You can sign up to receive Social Security retirement at a later time.

If you do not qualify for retirement benefits because you have not worked long enough, you can still enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your IEP. You may not qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, and the cost of your premium will vary, depending on how long you worked and paid Medicare taxes. If you sign up for Medicare Part B, you will have to pay a monthly premium for Part B as well.

If you miss your initial enrollment for whatever reason, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during the General Enrollment Period that runs from January 1 through March 31 of every year. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for both Part A and Part B if did not sign up when you were first eligible. You can also make changes to your coverage during general enrollment.

You can sign up for Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, through Social Security:

  • By visiting www.ssa.gov.
  • By calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.
  • By visiting your local Social Security office.

If you worked at a railroad, contact the Railroad Retirement Board to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B. You can call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 3:30PM; TTY users can call 1-312-751-4701.

Once you enroll in Medicare, you will receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card showing whether you have Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or both. Keep your card in a safe place so you will have it when you need it. If your card is ever lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement card or call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.

When Medicare coverage begins

If you are already receiving retirement benefits before turning 65, your Medicare coverage will start with the month you’re first eligible (at age 65). If you sign up during the general enrollment, your coverage will not begin until July 1.

If you are receiving disability benefits through Social Security or the RRB, your effective date is determined by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.

If you sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your initial enrollment, the start of your coverage will depend on which month of IEP you signed up. The following chart shows when your Medicare coverage becomes effective if you enroll during your IEP:

If you enroll in this month of your initial enrollment period:Then your Medicare coverage starts:
Social Security Medicare Site: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html
One to three months before you turn 65 years oldThe month you turn 65 years old
The month of your 65th birthdayOne month after your 65th birthday
One month after you turn 65 years oldTwo months after you enroll in Medicare
Two or three months after you turn 65 years oldThree months after you enroll in Medicare

Medicare information is everywhere. What is hard is knowing which information to trust. Because Medicareprofessionaladvisors are following the CMS regulations, you can rest assured you’re getting accurate information so you can make the right decisions for your coverage.

Find a $0 premium
Medicare plan today.

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-800-518-3986

TTY 711, 24/7

+65 Agents, +3,834 Plans,

Meet More Agents

Medicare Parts

A

Medicare Part A

Part A of Medicare covers hospitalisation. Inpatient treatment, limited time in a licenced nursing facility, limited home health care services, and hospital care are all covered under Part A.

B

Medicare Part B

Non-hospital medical costs such as doctor's appointments, blood tests, x-rays, diabetes testing and supplies, and outpatient hospital treatment are covered by Part B benefits. For this component of the original health insurance, you pay a monthly fee.

C

Medicare Part C

In a health insurance plan, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part C normally covers all forms of health insurance coverage. Private insurance businesses that have been contracted by the CMS to provide a medicare plan as an alternative to the original health insurance plan provide it.

D

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is a prescription medication coverage option. Part D health insurance is available as a stand-alone plan from private insurance firms, with monthly rates varying from one to the next. Depending on the plan you're registered in, you'll split the cost of your prescription medicines.

we’re here to all your questions

We’ve helped over 9 million senior people compare their best Medicare coverage options.

You get the same coverage as Original Medicare plus additional benefits from the Medicare Advantage insurance provider when you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

There are many of savings to be had, but here are a handful you might not be taking advantage of right now:

  • Your Social Security benefit will be reduced by $144 each month.
    $2,500 to spend on dental procedures such as crowns, implants, and dentures.
  • $1,000 to spend on vitamins and aspirin at your neighbourhood drugstore
  • Hearing aids and batteries cost $2,000
  • $300 will be used on eyeglasses and tests.

It’s not simple to learn the ins and outs of Medicare. While Medicare.gov has a wealth of information, there is no real how-to when it comes to determining what is best for you and your lifestyle.

This is where we can help! We put our 20+ years of industry experience to work for you, giving you the peace of mind that you’re getting what you’re entitled to without the hassle.

  • Initial Enrollment Period – Most persons can enrol in Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and/or Part D for the first time within a seven-month period: three months before, three months during, and three months after they reach 65.
  • Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – Certain life circumstances, including as moving or losing current coverage, may qualify you for coverage. You usually have two months to enrol, depending on your circumstances.
  • Medicare Part C & D Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) – Every year, from October 15 to December 7, Existing Medicare beneficiaries can take advantage of this time to review and adjust their Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription medication plans (Part D). You cannot utilise AEP to enrol for the first time in Part A and/or Part B. The following year’s coverage begins on January 1st.
  • Medicare General Enrollment Period – Every year, from January 1 to March 31, While the majority of individuals will receive Part B coverage when they join in Medicare, this period is allocated for those who did not enrol in Part B when they initially became eligible. Coverage begins on July 1st of the following year.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) – Every year, from January 1 to March 31, You can change to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without medication coverage during this period, or move to Original Medicare and join a separate Medicare Prescription Drug plan. You cannot, however, go from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, join a prescription drug plan while on Original Medicare, or change from one prescription drug plan to another prescription drug plan while on Original Medicare.

Ready to speak
with an Agent?

Start free online visit
Send Us An Email
Speak with Us
Twitter Facebook-f Instagram

Medicare

INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY

LIFE INSURANCE

Quick Links