Obamacare News Blog

Applying for Medicare

When should I apply?

If you are currently receiving Social Security retirement benefits, disability benefits, or railroad retirement checks, you will be contacted a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and given the information you need. If you live in one of the 50 states or Washington, D.C., you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. However, since you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you are given the option of turning it down.

NOTE: Residents of Puerto Rico or foreign countries will not receive Part B automatically. They must elect this benefit.

If you are not already getting retirement benefits, you should contact the Social Security Administration about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up for Medicare even if you do not plan to retire at age 65.


Special enrollment situations

You also should contact Social Security about applying for Medicare if the following circumstances apply to you:

  • You are a disabled widow or widower between the ages of 50 and 65, but you have not applied for disability benefits, because you are already getting another kind of Social Security benefit;
  • You are a government employee and became disabled before age 65;
  • You, your spouse, or your dependent child has permanent kidney failure;
  • You had Medicare medical insurance in the past but dropped the coverage; or
  • You turned down Medicare medical insurance when you became entitled to hospital insurance (Part A).

Initial enrollment period for Part B

When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you have a seven-month period (your initial enrollment period) to sign up for medical insurance (Part B). A delay on your part will cause a delay in coverage and result in higher premiums. If you are eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday. It will include the month that you turn 65, and it will end three months after that birthday. If you are eligible for Medicare based on disability or permanent kidney failure, your initial enrollment period depends on the date your disability or treatment began.

When does my enrollment in Part B become effective?

If you accept the automatic enrollment in Medicare Part B, or if you enroll in Medicare Part B during the first three months of your initial enrollment period, your medical insurance protection will start with the month you are first eligible. If you enroll during the last four months, your protection will start from one to three months after you enroll. To apply for Medicare go to the Medicare Enrollment Overview page.

General enrollment period for Part B

If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins the following July. However, your monthly premium increases 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for, but did not enroll in, Medicare Part B.

Special enrollment period for people covered under an employer group health plan

If you are 65 or older and are covered under a group health plan, either from your own or your spouse’s current employment, you have a “special enrollment period” in which to sign up for Medicare Part B. This means that you may delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without having to wait for a general enrollment period and paying the 10 percent premium surcharge for late enrollment. The rules allow you to:

  • Enroll in Medicare Part B any time while you are covered under the group health plan based on current employment; or
  • Enroll in Medicare Part B during the eight-month period that begins following the last month your group health coverage ends, or following the month employment ends—whichever comes first.

Special enrollment period rules do not apply if employment or employer-provided group health plan coverage ends during your initial enrollment period.

If you do not enroll by the end of the eight-month period, you will have to wait until the next general enrollment period, which begins January 1 of the next year. You also may have to pay a higher premium, as explained above.

People who receive Social Security disability benefits and are covered under a group health plan from either their own or a family member’s current employment also have a special enrollment period and premium rights that are similar to those for workers age 65 or older.

 



Comments and Questions

Click to leave a Comment

Comment from aNut on March 11, 2013

I have been looking for this info, as i suppose many are. Medical care is a right of everyone.



Comment from Kyle Murphy | on August 22, 2012

Great article, Katie! Just re-tweeted it to our Twitter account We are always looking for guest bloggers on our Senior Resource site YSCN - thanks again for the good info!

-Kyle



Comment from garage door repair Houston Tx on March 18, 2012

Hi, this is a Wonderful information. I love this page, I have already shared it on FB.



Comment from Lorraine on November 22, 2011

I am currently taking my nursing bachelors degree and I have further insight on how Medicare works because I have conducted some school research projects on it. I really have to know how this program works because I am about to enter to the medical field. I can assure these articles and debates you post right here are a real help to my research. I need to be aware of all Medicare submitting phases.



Comment from pori on September 29, 2011

How can we get easily Social Security retirement benefits,? is it a tough and time-taking process?



Comment from Anthony Garcia on September 12, 2011

I was very happy that I discovered this website. I needed a guide to how to apply for medicare



Comment from wilfordcimo Hipolito on September 05, 2011

Health insurance, especially Medicare, is big task to be done properly with proper research and guidance. This site is provide really good information for all the things required. Thanks.



Comment from Glenn on September 03, 2011

Nice guide on medicare, a lot of people neglect benefits like this and then regret it later on in life! Be sure to check out Senior 65 for more info.



Comment from jon hudson on August 22, 2011

I didn’t get the When I should apply part and why the Residents of Puerto Rico or foreign countries will not receive Part B automatically?



Comment from dustin buttry on August 09, 2011

I cant decide which is better can anyone plz suggest me??
Medigap or medicare advantage????



Comment from jonathanmaccy on August 08, 2011

Could the tell the usually problems faced signing up for medicare. I’m concerned about messing up on the application.



Comment from kateni keee on August 06, 2011

I truly loved the way you have created your blog, it’s simple, neat, simple to get around and very easy on the eyes. Its about time there is a blog for seniors!!!!!!



Comment from Health Insurance on July 01, 2011

Ur blog clerly,,determines some special enrollment situations
superbly…..I like this article very good…
————————————
Kiran Reddy.
<a >health Insurance</a>



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