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| When you can enroll in Original Medicare |
| At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we’ll say once more that you must be enrolled in Original Medicare before you can enroll in any of the other parts of Medicare. |
| If you get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you may be automatically enrolled. For everyone else, there are three enrollment periods in which you can enroll in Original Medicare. |
| (How to check your Medicare application status.) |
| Initial enrollment period |
| Initial enrollment period (IEP) is a 7-month enrollment period surrounding your 65th birthday. Your IEP starts 3 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. This is the time that most new enrollees sign up for Medicare. (One important caveat: If your birthday falls on the first of the month, your initial enrollment period starts 4 months before you turn 65 and ends 2 months after the month you turn 65.) |
| Missing your initial enrollment period may lead to late enrollment penalties, which may be lifelong, for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and Medicare Part D. So be sure to make note of your initial enrollment period for the future. |
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| Click the image above to download a printable version! |
| General enrollment (January 1 to March 31) |
| If you miss your initial enrollment period, you can enroll during general enrollment. This occurs during the first 3 months of each calendar year. (As we said above, enrolling in Original Medicare during this time will likely result in a penalty.) |
| Special enrollment period |
| Certain life events qualify you to enroll in Original Medicare during a special enrollment period. Some of the more common qualifying life events include moving to a new ZIP code, or if you were working when you became eligible for Medicare and are no longer employed. |
| What if you already have health insurance through your employer? |
| Medicare is meant to work with your employer health plans. But depending on your company’s size, you may choose to enroll in Medicare when you first become eligible to avoid a Part B penalty, or to delay enrollment. |
| Once you retire and no longer have an employer health insurance plan, you will qualify for a special enrollment period of 8 months to enroll in Original Medicare (if you haven’t already). |
| ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY |
| Sponsored by |
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| Enroll in Original Medicare today |
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If you’re currently within one of the enrollment periods mentioned above, you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B directly through the Social Security Administration:
- online
- by calling its toll-free number: 1-800-633-4227
- by visiting a Social Security office in person (find your local office here)
If you’re not currently within an enrollment period, mark the dates that apply to you or set a reminder so you’re ready when the time comes.
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| Tomorrow, we’ll explore Medicare Advantage and share a free resource to help you choose a plan. |
Take care,
The Healthline Team |
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| See a list of Medicare Advantage plans in your area that may be suited to your unique needs with HelloMedicare™. |
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| If you want more information about Medicare Advantage plans, you can speak to a licensed agent by calling 844-238-8875. TTY: 711 from 5am to 12am CST. |
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| Until next time, |
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Take care of yourself, and we’ll
see you again soon! |
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