Medicare Questions & Answers: Enrollment Periods
Enrollment Periods Q&A
Showing 9 questions
If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?
If you have employer-based health insurance through your or a spouse's current employment, where there are more than 20 employees, and you're happy with the costs, such as monthly deductions/premiums and coverage, like potential out-of-pocket costs, you can delay Medicare enrollment without accruing penalties. If this is you, it's best to schedule a quick call so we can discuss your situation. Chad
I'm turning 65 soon, when can I enroll in Medicare?
When clients ask about enrolling in Medicare at 65, I explain the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) covers three months before their birthday month, the month itself, and three months after. It’s a straightforward seven-month window.
What should I do if I miss the Medicare Open Enrollment period, and I want to change my plan?
You may utilize a Special Election Period which includes:Moving to a new plan area.
Enrollment in a 5 star plan.
Losing health insurance.
Weather related disasters.
Annual enrollment. Is October 15th through December 7th. If you miss that enrollment period and you are a current Medicare Advantage member, You have 1 more opportunity to change plans January 1st through March 31st.
So from April 1st through December 31st you are locked into your plan unless you meet a special election period requirement.
I'm confused about when I can change my Medicare plan. Can you clarify the different enrollment periods for me?
Changing your Medicare plan depends on specific enrollment periods, and knowing them can save you headaches down the line. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) spans seven months around your 65th birthday to join Parts A, B, D, or Medicare Advantage; miss it without other coverage, and penalties loom—10% per year for Part B and 1% per month for Part D, both lifelong. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), October 15 to December 7, lets you switch between Original Medicare, Advantage plans, or Part D options for the next year, while the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31) offers one tweak if you’re already in Advantage. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) kick in for life events like losing a job’s coverage, typically giving you two months to adjust penalty-free, and the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) is for late Part A or B sign-ups if you missed IEP. For Medigap, you get a six-month window starting when you’re 65 and on Part B to enroll without health-based denials—outside that, it’s possible but trickier—something I’ve watched folks overlook until it’s urgent over my years in this field.
How does moving to a new state affect my Medicare enrollment timeline?
If you currently have a Medicare Advantage plan and you move to a new state, you will fall into a Special Election Period you will have 60-days to enroll into a new plan.If you are enrolled in a Medigap plan, in most cases you do not need to change. However, you may decide to do so if you can get a lower premium.
