Who Is Automatically Enrolled In Medicare
If youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before your 65th birthday, youll be enrolled automatically in Medicare Part A and Part B. If you live in Puerto Rico and are receiving those benefits, only Part A will come to you automatically youll need to take extra steps to enroll in Part B.
Youll receive your Medicare card in the mail and can start using it the beginning of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of a month, your coverage will start a month earlier.
Part A, which covers hospitalization, is free if you or your spouse has paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters, the equivalent of 10 years. Part B, which covers doctor and outpatient services, has a monthly premium of $170.10 for most people in 2022, and the Social Security Administration will automatically deduct the premium from your monthly benefit.
But if you or your spouse is still working and you have health insurance from that employer, you may not have to enroll in Part B yet. You can send back the card and enroll in Part B later. Follow the instructions on the back of the card to delay enrolling in Part B if youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.
Read Also: Can Doctors Charge More Than Medicare Allows
When Does Medicare Start When Medicare Coverage Begins
Medicare is America’s health insurance program for seniors and those who have certain disabilities or illnesses. It was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, with the program changing frequently in the past 55 years. But after more than half-a-century, there is still a lot of confusion about the Medicare program. This post answers the question when does Medicare start, including whether you’re enrolled automatically or sign up through Social Security.
When Would My Medicare Coverage Start
If you enroll during the first three months of your IEP, your Medicare coverage begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 or the first day of the previous month if your birthday falls on the first day of a month.
If you sign up for Part B during the fourth month your birthday month coverage begins the first day of the following month.
If you dont enroll in Part B until later, in the fifth, sixth or seventh month of the IEP, coverage will be delayed by two or three months. However, those rules change in 2023, when the coverage will take effect the next month when you enroll after your birthday month.
You can sign up for premium-free Part A any time after your IEP starts. Your coverage will take effect six months retroactively, but no earlier than the month you turn age 65.
The best way to sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period is online at the Social Security website.
Also Check: Girl 8 Birthday Party Ideas
What Is Included In Your Medicare Coverage
First, we need to explain what your Medicare coverage entails, so you understand what we mean by Parts A, B, C, and D.
Original Medicare includes two parts:
- Medicare Part A is sometimes called hospital insurance. It covers inpatient services received in a hospital or skilled nursing facility .
- Medicare Part B is also known as medical insurance. It covers outpatient services such as doctor visits, lab work, and durable medical equipment .
Prescription drug coverage is not included in Original Medicare. To get that, you need to sign up for Medicare Part D. Once you enroll in Part A and/or B, you can join a Part D prescription drug plan .
Medicare Part C is more commonly known as Medicare Advantage . All Advantage plans must provide the same benefits you get with Original Medicare, but most offer additional coverage. Common add-ons include prescription drug coverage, fitness programs, and routine vision and dental care.
An MA plan that covers prescription medications is called a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan . These all-in-one plans combine your Parts A, B, and D benefits in a single Medicare policy. Around 90 percent of Medicare Advantage plans provide prescription drug coverage.
If You Miss Your Window
If you dont enroll in Medicare A and/or B during your seven-month open enrollment window, youll have a chance to enroll during the General Open Enrollment period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. If you enroll during that window, your coverage will take effect on July 1 .
But theres a penalty for late enrollment in Medicare Part B, amounting to a 10% premium increase for each full 12 month period that you could have been enrolled in Medicare B but werent this penalty continues for as long as youre enrolled in Medicare, so its best to enroll when youre first eligible.
The penalty for late enrollment in Part B does not apply if you had creditable coverage from an employer-sponsored plan during the time that you delayed enrollment in Part B. When that employer-sponsored coverage ends, youll have an eight-month window during which you can enroll in Part B, without a penalty.
But if you delay Part B enrollment to save money on premiums, without having coverage from a current employer in place, youll likely be subject to the late enrollment penalty when you do enroll during the general enrollment period in a future year.
Don’t Miss: Birthday Cake Delivery San Francisco
The Initial Enrollment Period
The Initial Enrollment Period is the first opportunity to enroll in Medicare. This is a seven-month window during which you can sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. The seven months are aligned with your date of birth:
If you sign up for Medicare during the first three months of your IEP, your Medicare coverage will start on the first day of the month you turn 65. However, if your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage will start the first day of the previous month.
If you sign up during your birthday month, your Medicare coverage will begin the first day of the following month.
If you enroll in Medicare one month after your 65th birthday, your Medicare coverage will start two months later.
If you enrolled for Medicare two or three months after your 65th birthday, your Medicare coverage in both cases will begin three months later.
You Can Start Medicare Coverage A Month Earlier Here’s How
Medicare has an Initial Enrollment Period for those turning 65. To ensure that coverage starts on the first day of the birthday month, an individual turning 65 must enroll in the first three months of the Initial Enrollment Period.
John Doe’s birthday is in August. If she signs up anytime between May 1 and July 31, Medicare coverage will begin on August 1.
Theres a unique twist for those who were born on the first of the month. Medicare treats this birthday as though it occurred in the month right before the actual birthday. If these individuals sign up during the first three months of that Initial Enrollment Period, Medicare coverage begins the month before their birthday.
John’s sister, Jane, will turn 65 on November 1. Her Initial Enrollment Period is the same as those who have birthdays in October. If Jane enrolls between July 1 and September 30, Medicare coverage will begin October 1.
Read Also: Birthday Gift Ideas For Him New Relationship
When Should I Sign Up For Medicare
Generally, we advise people to file for Medicare benefits 3 months before age 65. Remember, Medicare benefits can begin no earlier than age 65. If you are already receiving Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B without an additional application. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. You will receive a Medicare card about two months before age 65. If you would like to file for Medicare only, you can apply by calling 1-800-772-1213. Our representatives there can make an appointment for you at any convenient Social Security office and advise you what to bring with you. When you apply for Medicare, we often also take an application for monthly benefits. You can apply for retirement benefits online.
If you didnt sign up when you were first eligible for Medicare, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1 and March 31 each year, unless you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.
Coordinating Start Dates For Medicare Advantage Or Drug Coverage And Medicare
Same as above. Once you learn your Original Medicare effective date, youll want to apply for Medicare Advantage prior to that date, so that you have the coverage you desire.
- If you have delayed Part B, your start date will be different from above, as will your Medicare Advantage and Medigap effective dates
- If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage and want to switch to Medigap,
- If you are enrolled in Medigap and Switch to Medicare Advantage,
- Dont forget to coordinate your Part D drug plan enrollment with your Original Medicare
Related Articles:
- Medicare Insurance Switching: Ultimate Guide With so many different plans, carriers, deductibles and what not, picking the wrong plan happens. A lot. Check out your options.
- Medicare and Your Situation Original Medicare is our countrys health insurance program for people aged 65 or older. Medicare is also available to people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease . The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical
- Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage Finding the right Medicare insurance can be rather confusing for seniors – especially when parsing through the 150-page “Medicare and You” booklet that the government sends out as you approach age 65. We have made a list of the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a MA plan that should help
Also Check: How Can I Find Someone’s Birthday Online
Sign Up 3 Months Before Birthday
If you sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65.
Example:
Your 65th birthday is on May 20. If you sign up for Medicare in February, March, or April, your coverage will start on May 1.
Do You Get A Full Month Social Security On The Month Of Your Birthday
That’s because Social Security pays benefits a month behind, so your benefit for, say, June 2022 will arrive in July. Your birthday generally determines your monthly payment schedule: If the birthday is between the first and the 10th day of the month, the benefit payment arrives on the second Wednesday of each month.
Read Also: Things To Do For My Birthday
When Medicare Starts: Turning 65
Medicare coverage can start as early as the first day of the month in which you turn 65, unless you were born on the first of the month. In that case, your coverage can begin on the first day of the previous month.
People who are automatically enrolled will get coverage as soon as its available. Generally, you’re automatically enrolled only if you claimed Social Security benefits early. If you have to enroll yourself, you should sign up in the three months before your birthday. While you have seven months around your birthday to enroll for the first time, that’s not the same as having coverage. The three months before and after your birthday month, plus your birthday month, is whats known as your initial enrollment period. But waiting until your birthday month or the three months afterward to sign up delays the start of your coverage and you’re fully responsible for any health care costs you incur until your Medicare coverage begins.
If your birthday is the first of the month, your enrollment period includes the four months before your birthday month, your birthday month and the two months after.
Signing Up For Premium
You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security . Coverage cant start earlier than the month you turned 65.
After your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you can only sign up for Part B and Premium-Part A during one of the other enrollment periods.
Recommended Reading: What To Do For 7 Year Old Birthday
Can I Start Medicare Before My 65th Birthday
You will have a Medicare initial enrollment period. If you sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during the first three months of your initial enrollment period, your coverage will start on the first day of the month you turn 65.
For example, say your birthday is August 31. Your initial enrollment period will begin three months prior to your birthday month, or in this case, May. If you sign up in May, June, or July, your coverage will start on August 1.
How Long Does It Take To Sign Up For Medicare At 65
Signing Up for Medicare at Age 65. You can first sign up for Medicare during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. Your IEP includes the month you turn 65, the three months before, and the three months after. Watch this video below for a quick overview of all the required Medicare qualifications. Open video transcript.
Also Check: Do You Have To Enroll In Medicare
You May Like: Good Place For Kid Birthday Party
Your First Chance To Sign Up
Generally, when you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.
Avoid the penaltyIf you miss your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. The penalty goes up the longer you wait. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called Premium-Part A.
When Can You Start Taking Medicare
Home / FAQs / General Medicare / When Does Medicare Start?
The start date for Original Medicare is different for everyone. If you are new to Medicare at 65, your start date will not be the same as someone who delayed Original Medicare coverage and is just signing up at age 70.
Find Medicare Plans in 3 Easy Steps
We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today
Thus, there is a multi-part answer to the question, when does Medicare start? Below, we review all the possible scenarios when starting Medicare coverage.
Recommended Reading: My Little Pony Birthday Party Invitations
Find Out When You Can Enroll In Medicare
For most people, the first time you can enroll in Medicare is around your 65th birthday. You can also qualify to enroll in Medicare with a qualifying disability — after youve received disability benefits for 24 months), or a qualifying medical condition — such as Lou Gehrigs disease or end-stage renal disease .
Medicare Eligibility Age Chart
Most older adults are familiar with Medicare and its eligibility age of 65. You can qualify for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B by:
- Being age 65 or older
- Living with a qualifying disability
- Living with certain health conditions, like end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Individuals under 65 and already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for 24 months are eligible for Medicare. Still, most beneficiaries enroll at 65 when they become eligible for Medicare.
You May Like: How To Make Birthday Video With Photos
Does Social Security Start On Your Birthday Or Birth Month
Schedule of SS payments Social Security benefits are not prorated. They start the month following the birthday. The schedule, according to AARP, follows this rule: When the birth date falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, the payment is issued on the second Wednesday of the month following the birthday month.
Your Medicare Special Enrollment Period
If your employer has at least 20 employees and youre still working and covered under that plan when you turn 65, you can delay your enrollment in Medicare . In that case, youll get an eight-month special enrollment period to sign up for Medicare if and when you leave your job or your employer stops offering coverage. It will start the month after you separate from your employer, or the month after your group health coverage ends whichever happens sooner.
Sign up during those eight months, and you wont have to worry about premium surcharges for being late. And the eight-month special enrollment period is also available if youre delaying Part B enrollment because youre covered under your spouses employer-sponsored plan, assuming their employer has at least 20 employees.
But note that in either case, it has to be a current employer. If youre covered under COBRA or a retiree plan, you wont avoid the Part B late enrollment penalty when you eventually enroll, and you wont have access to a special enrollment period to sign up for Part B youll have to wait for the general enrollment period instead.
Recommended Reading: Birthday Party Ideas For Middle Schoolers
Signing Up For Part A And/or Partb During The Last 4 Months Of Your Initial Enrollment:
- If you sign up in the month you turn 65, your coverage will start 1 month after you sign up.
- If you sign up in the month after you turn 65, your coverage will start 2 months after you sign up.
- If you sign up 2 months after you turn 65, your coverage will start 3 months after you sign up.
- If you sign up 3 months after you turn 65, your coverage will start 3 months after you sign up.
If you missed your initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the January 1 through March 31 general enrollment period. In this case, your coverage will start on July 1.
