How Do I Enroll?

 

Medicare Part A

In most cases, if you're already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you will automatically get Part A starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A will start the first day of the prior month. If you're under 65 and disabled, you automatically get Part A after you get disability benefits from Social Security or the RRB for 24 months. If you have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), you will automatically receive Part A the month your disability benefits begin.

 

Medicare Part B

You should be automatically enrolled in Part B when you become eligible for Medicare benefits, starting the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part B will start the first day of the prior month. If you're under 65 and disabled, you automatically get Part B after you get disability benefits from Social Security or the RRB for 24 months. If you have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), you will automatically receive Part B the month your disability benefits begin.

Part B is optional, can be declined and requires a monthly premium for participation.

 

Late Enrollment Penalty

If you choose to decline Part B coverage within your initial enrollment period, your Part B premium will increase by 10% for every full 12 month period you could have had Part B, but didn't sign up. You will have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Part B.

Employer or Union Coverage - If you or your spouse is still working and you have coverage through an employer or union, contact your benefits administrator to see how your coverage works with Medicare. Once your coverage ends you have up to 8 months to enroll in Part B without a penalty.

 

Medicare Part D

Enrollment in a Part D Prescription Drug plan is voluntary, and you can enroll directly with the carrier or through the government. You can enroll in a Part D plan each year during the Annual Election Period, which lasts from October 15 to December 7 every year.

 

Late Enrollment Penalty

Under current Medicare law, people who do not enroll in Medicare Part D when they are first eligible to do so and do not have creditable drug coverage must pay a penalty for every year they have not participated. The penalty equals 1% of the national average Part D plan premium, multiplied by the number of months you delay your enrollment. People who enroll in Part D after the initial enrollment period or who fail to maintain continuous coverage during the period of non-enrollment will also have to pay a similar late enrollment penalty.

 

Medicare Advantage

In general, Medicare beneficiaries can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare's Annual Election Period, October 15 – December 7 every year. Between January 1 – February 14, 2011, Medicare Advantage enrollees can leave their plans and switch back to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare during this period you will have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. You can only be in one Medicare Advantage plan at a time and, in most cases, you must remain enrolled in the plan for the entire calendar year. If you have both Medicare and full Medicaid benefits, you may switch plans at any time.

Medicare Advantage plans cannot deny an applicant due to age or health (the only exception is individuals with End Stage Renal Disease or for Special Needs Plans aimed at certain populations). Also, premiums cannot vary by age or health.

 

Medicare Supplements (Medigap Plans)

You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to be eligible for a Medigap policy. The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during the six month enrollment period which begins on the first day of the first month that you have: a) attained age 65 and b) enrollment in Medicare Part B benefits. During this period, private insurers must waive exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and accept all eligible applicants. Also, they cannot make you wait for your coverage to start. If you wait until after this six month period, insurers can determine whether or not they want to sell you a particular plan.

Under federal law, once your open enrollment period ends, Medigap insurers can refuse to offer you a Medigap plan because of your age or health status. They can also accept your enrollment subject to exclusions for pre-existing conditions. It is important to make your decision and enroll within your open enrollment window.