When Can I Enroll in Medicare?

ENROLLING AT THE RIGHT TIME IS IMPORTANT

Most people are eligible to enroll in Medicare at age 65. However, some people are able to enroll when they are younger than 65 and some people won’t enroll until after age 65.

UNDER AGE 65

PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS

Someone under the age of 65 may be eligible for Medicare for a few different reasons.

They have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or certain Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits for at least 24 months.
They have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
They have End State Renal Disease (ESRD)

TURNING 65

SOME PEOPLE ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED SOME ARE NOT

When you turn 65, you will be automatically enrolled into Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B if you are already receiving Social Security benefits prior to your 65th birthday.

If you are not receiving Social Security benefits prior to turning 65, you will automatically be enrolled into Medicare Part A if you have enough work credits. However, you will need to apply for Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).

Failure to enroll in Medicare during your IEP, without a valid reason, will result in a late enrollment penalty (LEP). There may be instances where someone doesn’t need to enroll in Medicare until after turning 65.

AFTER 65

DELAYING MEDICARE UNTIL AFTER 65

If you or your spouse are working after age 65, you may still be eligible for employer sponsored health insurance. If the employer sponsored health insurance is considered creditable coverage, at least as good as Medicare, you may keep the employer’s coverage as long as you wish and enroll into Medicare later, without a penalty.

Even if you intend on working, enrolling into Medicare may still be a good choice for you. You can continue to work while enroll in Medicare. We can help you compare your employer’s coverage to your Medicare options to find the most cost effective and broadest coverage.

AVOIDING LATE ENROLLMENT PENALTIES

PENALTIES CAN BE LIFE LONG

When becoming eligible for Medicare, enrolling in Medicare at the wrong time could result in a Late Enrollment Penalty.

If you will not have employer sponsored health insurance after turning 65, you will want to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period so that your are not penalized later.

It is also important to enroll in Part D during your Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP), to avoid a late enrollment penalty for Part D.

With a short phone call, we can help you avoid Late Enrollment Penalties. Call us at 877-895-0059.

WANT PERSONALIZED HELP WITH YOUR MEDICARE?

Give us a call. Our agents are well trained and available to help you understand the different parts of Medicare easily and in just a few minutes. Give us a call at 877-895-0059 for 100% free help with your Medicare. We do not charge you for our services and look forward to helping you become an expert at Medicare.