Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

It’s very important to sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period. This is a specified period of time based on the date you turn 65. If you don’t sign up for Part A (if you have to buy it) and Part B during your initial enrollment period, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty which may include a higher premium.

What is the Initial Enrollment Period?

Your initial enrollment period is a 7-month period that includes:

• The three months before the month you turn 65.
• The month you turn 65.
• The three months after the month you turn 65.

For example, if you turn 65 on February 15, 2020, your enrollment period is from November 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

When Does Coverage Start?

If you sign up during the first three months of your initial enrollment period, your coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month. However, if your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the previous month.

If you sign up the month you turn 65 or during the last three months of your initial enrollment period, the start date for your Medicare coverage will be delayed.

Other Enrollment Periods

If you don’t sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period, there are other enrollment periods.

• Special Enrollment Period. If you didn’t sign up for Part A (if you have to buy it) or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period because you’re covered under a group health plan based on your current employment (or your spouse’s current employment), you can enroll in Medicare any time you’re still covered by the group health plan, or during the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends of the coverage ends, whichever happens first. You usually don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period.
• General Enrollment Period. If you didn’t sign up for Part A (if you have to buy it) or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up between January 1 and March 31 each year. Your coverage won’t start until July 1 of that year, and you may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment.