I have Medicare Part A and B since 06/01/2006 because of disability. My husband retired on 4/1/2024, and I now have no other coverage except for Medicare Parts A and B because I missed open enrollment for insurance coverage. Note: SS dropped SSI and changed it to straight SS. Please help.
Answered by 60 licensed agents
I assume you are still under age 65 and that you implied that you had Medicare Part A&B PLUS your husband's employer provided healthcare (as additional coverage). Since he's now retired, and you've lost his coverage, you may have "guaranteed rights" to purchase additional private medicare supplemental insurance (like a medicare supplement), as long as you can prove that you had creditable coverage from his employer all this time. Any insurance company is going to want additional written evidence to prove this information. I suggest you reach out to a local medicare agent directly for more details and instruction.
You do have coverage under Medicare. Which is important, but the concern is that if you experience a life-changing event, it could be costly because Medicare is an 80-20 plan. Also, do you have a drug plan? If not, you'll be assessed a penalty once you sign up. You do have two options: one is buying a Medicare supplement like Plan G or N, or waiting until AEP from October 15 through December 7, for 2026. I would reach out to a licensed agent to review the right plan.
So you are in Open Enrollment right now! Each year from 10/15-12/7 you have Open Enrollment. What you missed was the SEP Special Enrollment Period due to a major change in your life.
Now, if you just recently turned 65, you are still in first year election, and should have no problem not only having original Medicare, but the option to add a Medicare Supplement to fill the 20% Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Or you could take an MA plan if finances are tough for you and it’s your only choice.
But you have options right now. Find a Medicare Professional in your area or get in touch with me and I’ll help walk you through this. Take care.
Since you currently have Medicare Parts A and B, you should be able to enroll in a Medigap or Advantage plan. Advantage plans conduct their annual enrollment October 15-December 7 each year. If you have missed your Special Enrollment Period when your husband retired, enrolling in a Medigap plan is available, but you may be subject to underwriting, medical exams, etc. If you had enrolled during your SEP, there would be no underwriting.
My best piece of advice would be to contact a local agent about your situation. It's possible that you might qualify for a special election period. There are various ones that they can go through with you. So I would definitely encourage you to get in touch with a local agent so they can ask the questions related to those special election periods and help you get on your way. Hope that helps.
Annual enrollment is open right now. You can start a new plan on January 1st, 2026. You may qualify for a special enrollment so call an agent today to help.
You actually had a 60 day window after losing your husbands coverage through his job. There could be a possibility you may have an option to get signed up on a plan now but if not you will have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period. Have you recently turned 65? Without particulars it's difficult to give concrete answers.
When someone has a change in coverage, they qualify for a Special Election Period’ so they can make a change outside of the annual enrollment periods. Find a Broker and get the coverage you need.
Unfortunately, you won't likely be able to get a Medicare Supplement policy. However, you will have the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan each year during the Annual Enrollment Period (or through a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify for one). This AEP runs from October 15th through December 7th each year.
1. Your Situation and the Special Enrollment Period (SEP)Your situation—the loss of employer-sponsored group health coverage due to your spouse's retirement—is a qualifying life event that opens a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This is the key to getting coverage outside of the standard enrollment windows (like the Annual Enrollment Period, which is October 15–December 7).Qualifying Event: Loss of employer-sponsored coverage on April 1, 2024. Action Needed: You have a two-month SEP to join a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). Since your coverage ended April 1, 2024, your two-month SEP period likely began April 1, 2024, and ended May 31, 2024. However, since you are reaching out now (October 20, 2025), you have missed that two-month window. Next Immediate Step: You must check if you qualify for a different SEP. You mention your Social Security (SS) benefit changed from SSI to straight SS. While the SS change itself might not trigger a new SEP, losing Medicaid (or a similar low-income program) eligibility does. The most common SEP now available is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).2. Your Immediate Enrollment Options (AEP). Since your SEP for loss of employer coverage has passed, your current opportunity is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). Enrollment Period: What You Can Do: Dates: Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), Enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), or switch between plans. October 15 – December 7, 2025Your new coverage will start on January 1, 2026. What You Must Do Now (Before December 7, 2025): Get a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D): You currently have Original Medicare (Parts A & B) but no Part D. You are likely accumulating a late enrollment penalty for Part D. You need to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) that includes prescription drug coverage (MAPD) .Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C): Contact Jacquie Proffit for more info.
I recommend contacting an independent Medicare Broker that can assess your individual situation. Depending on your age and eligibility for Medicaid, you may have some other enrollment options. If you do, they can help you assess the best coverage options for you. Additionally, if you don't have other enrollment options, they can help you apply for extra help and develop a plan to apply for additional insurance as soon as possible.
Since you already have Medicare Parts A and B and recently lost other coverage through your husband’s retirement, that loss of coverage can trigger a Special Enrollment Period. This may allow you to enroll in additional coverage now instead of waiting for the fall. With only Parts A and B, you’re exposed to unlimited out-of-pocket costs, so most people in your position add either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap (supplement) plan along with a Part D drug plan.
If you had creditable coverage that ended when your husband retired, you have a Special Election Period due to that event. You have 63 days to take advantage of the Special Election Period. However, if you do not enroll during that window, you are now subject to Late Enrollment Penalties as well.
If you have Medicare A B then you can enroll in Medicare Advantage plans, which are the best fit for people under age 65 and on disability. At this time of year (not Annual Election Period) you can still enroll in plans that would be Chronic Special needs plans (C-SNP)...find an agent that can help you in your area as these plans are not widespread.
She’s had Medicare Part A and B since 2006 due to disability, but when her husband retired in April 2024, she lost her other coverage and now only has A and B since she missed open enrollment. Social Security also dropped her SSI and switched her to straight SS, so she needs help figuring out what steps to take next.
Get with a local agent to see if there is a SEP (Special Election Period) available in your area county. Also there may be a Chronic Special Needs plan available in your county that may allow you to join during the lockout period. You could also call Medicare.
You most likely will have SEP (Special Election Period) to get a Medicare Advantage plan or Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plan. You should contact a Medicare Broker right away to review your options.
You might consider enrolling in a Medicare Supplement, depending on your age and the state you live in. This option provides an open network of doctors. The other option would be to evaluate special enrollment options for a Medicare Advantage or Part C plan. Certain chronic conditions, moving to a new service area, or natural disasters can all provide ways to enroll after open enrollment if you qualify. Contact me, and we can review your specific situation.
Hi You can choose a Plan during Annual Enrollment period But you will be subject to the Late enrollment period for Not Having a Part D plan. That penalty is forever it never goes away. You should reach out to an agent to help you and help walk you through the plans.
Apply for the Social Security Extra Help program. Call Social Security & speak with a representative. Depending on the state you live in. You could apply for your State's Medicaid program. Please contact a Broker & look into getting enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare to get information on all of your options.
You will be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug plan beginning October 15th. Plan information and options are available beginning October 1st. I can assist in this process. There’s no cost for my services.
Unfortunately you missed the special enrollment period when your husband retired and no longer had group benefits. However with Open enrollment starting 10/15/25 until 12/7/25 you have an opportunity to pick up additional coverage with a medicare supplement and a prescription plan or with a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan. Reach out to an agent who can help you review the 2026 plans.
If you’re within 63 days of husband losing coverage you could get Part D coverage for your drugs and enroll in a Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement.
Good news, October 15-December 7 is open enrollment, and you can get an MA plan. If you have a penalty for not having a prescription plan, your local Agent can work with you to see if you qualify for Federal Programs that will pay that penalty and cover a prescription plan.
You likely had a special enrollment period (SEP) when your husband’s coverage ended, but since that window passed, you may need to wait until the annual enrollment period (AEP) to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or standalone Drug plan.
In the meantime, you should apply for Medicaid or Extra Help which would lower your costs and may reopen enrollment options.
With your husband retiring on April 1, 2024, and the resulting loss of your spousal employer coverage, you are likely eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to get new Medicare coverage. This allows you to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a Part D prescription drug plan outside of the normal enrollment windows. This is a critical step to avoid gaps in coverage and potential late penalties. Call me for more help.
Since your husband retired in 2024, the 8-month SEP has passed, so you’ll need to wait for the Annual Election Period (Oct 15–Dec 7, 2026) to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, or explore limited other SEPs; buying a Medigap plan now may require medical underwriting.
You have insurance coverage. It's called Medicare. What you don't have is coverage for the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay. That SSI changed to SS is not relevant to this issue, unless the total gross monthly income for you and your spouse, qualifies for Medicaid in your state. Otherwise, you have 2 choices to cover the 20%. You can see if you qualify for a Medicare supplement, based on your health, and ability to pay the monthly premium. Or you can wait til the annual Enrollment, which starts on Oct 15th and sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan. None have health underwriting, and most have a $0 monthly premium and a built-in Rx plan. But since you have gone over 63 days without an Rx plan, you will pay the LEP (late enrollment penalty) on a monthly basis, for the rest of your life.
You have Medicare Part A and B, which gives you basic hospital and medical coverage. But since you missed open enrollment for additional coverage, you may be exposed to high out of pocket costs and lack drug coverage. Here's what you can do now.
During AEP you may pick you a health plan and if you are on Medi-Cal then you can opt for a Dual Special Needs Plan or possibly a Chronic Condition Needs plan. At this point you have a gap in coverage. Not sure what you mean regarding what you noted at the end of your question. Reach out to me and we will work with you to take care of it.
I have Medicare Part A and B since 06/01/2006 because of disability. My husband retired on 4/1/2024, and I now have no other coverage except for Medicare Parts A and B because I missed open enrollment for insurance coverage. Note: SS dropped SSI and changed it to straight SS. Please help. You get a Medigap plan to help with the out pocket cost.
There are different options to look at to see what you may qualify for, even a possible special enrollment period. To be able to help I would need more information on your situation, but definitely would be able to get you answers.
Ok, I'm a little confused on the dates you provided. Sounds like you have Medicare A and B intact. That's a good. I'm hoping that you also have Part D or the medication plan in place. If you don't then the government will penalize you for every month you go without that coverage. You aren't completely out of luck because you may qualify for a SEP or special election period. There are a number of SEP's you may qualify for and if that's the case then you won't have to wait a long period of time to get enrolled into a Medicare Advantage plan.
Got it — since we’re now in October 2025, your situation changes a bit, but there are still options.
Here’s what’s happening:
Because your husband retired back in April 2024, your Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for losing employer coverage has already expired. (That SEP lasts 8 months after losing group coverage — so it would’ve ended around December 2024.)
But the good news is — you’re now in Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15 through December 7 every year. During this time, you can:
Enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, which combines hospital, medical, and often prescription coverage.
Or enroll in a standalone Part D (prescription drug) plan if you want to stay on Original Medicare.
Your new coverage would start January 1, 2026.
Since you mentioned you only have Parts A and B right now, you should definitely look into adding at least a Part D plan — otherwise, you could face a late enrollment penalty later on. You might also qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program depending on your income, especially since your SSI changed to standard Social Security. Those programs can help lower your premiums and copays.
So right now, you’re in the perfect window to fix this — just make sure you act before December 7, 2025.
Would you like me to help you figure out what type of plan (Advantage or Supplement + Part D) might work best for your health needs and budget?
For clarity, when exactly did you lose SSI? You have 3 months to join a Medicare Advantage Plan from either the date you lost Medicaid or the date you were notified that you're no longer eligible, whichever is later.
Also, regardless if you lost SSI, if your disability is due to one or more of the chronic conditions recognized by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), you would qualify to join a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs). Those chronic conditions are:
Chronic alcohol and other dependence
Certain autoimmune disorders
Cancer (excluding pre-cancer conditions)
Certain cardiovascular disorders
Chronic heart failure
Dementia
Diabetes mellitus
End-stage liver disease
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis (any mode of dialysis)
Certain severe hematologic disorders
HIV/AIDS
Certain chronic lung disorders
Certain chronic and disabling mental health conditions
Unfortunately, you will have to wait for Medicare's. Annual election period starting October 7th to enroll in a plan that will make it effective. January 1, 2026. Your only other option is to see if you can pass health underwriting questions on a medicare supplement.
Since his employer-sponsored coverage ended in 2024, you missed the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up for supplemental insurance. However, you can enroll or switch your plan every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which is Oct 15 thru Dec 7. You should explore options like enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Plan (or Medigap Plan), Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), or a Part D prescription drug plan to add more coverage.
Please be aware that if you did not sign up for a Part D plan when eligible, you may have a late enrollment penalty.
You didn’t provide enough information to give a clear or accurate answer. Your options depend on details like whether you had employer coverage through your husband and when that coverage ended. Those factors completely change what you may qualify for.
It’s best to speak directly with a qualified Medicare agent who can review your full situation. On this site, you can search for an agent near you who can help.
There might be an option for you to get insurance coverage. The best way to determine your options is get with a license agent to discuss your situation.
Right now is the annual enrollment period to get an Advantage plan or prescription drug plan. You could get a supplement if you can pass underwriting for a monthly fee on top of your Part B premium. If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Contact me.
If you have medicare A and B you are able to get a medicare advantage plan where most are $0 premiums and include drug coverage. Depending on your area these are a great addition to original medicare and often include extra coverage and benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage. There is also an option for medigap plans if your income allows, these plans have monthly premiums and you must purchase additional drug coverage but you often pay little to no copays for medical services. The bottom line is you have options and can speak to a licensed medicare broker to go over what you qualify for in your area. Im licensed in 22 states and would be happy to educate and assist you in this process as I know it can be confusing! Bonus: it’s medicare open enrollment until December 7th so you have time!
Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare changes starts on Oct 15 for plan year beginning the following Jan 1. I definitely recommend discussing your options with a licensed Medicare broker. You can also check with CMS (or work with a licensed Medicare broker) to determine if you may be eligible for a "SEP" - special enrollment period because of your husband's retirement or your own transfer from SSDI to SS.
You may be eligible for special enrollment period depending on your area. The change from SSI to SS also should qualify you for a special enrollment period. Need to talk to a local insurance agent, more information is probably needed to be relayed to see what can be done for your particular situation.
Under normal circumstances, Medicare Part A and B considered to be a good coverage especially if enhanced by Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug Plan or alternatively used as Medicare Advantage Plan. Your dissatisfaction with your current coverage may stem from the timing of your husband’s retirement. When his group health insurance ended, you may have also lost any secondary insurance you previously had through his employer, leaving gaps in your overall coverage. You'll have an opportunity to enroll into Medicare Advantage plan in the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period October 15 to December 7 with the effective day of January 1, 2026. You may have a guaranteed enrollment privilege to sign up for Medicare Supplement when you turn 65.
You currently have Medicare only, and when your husband retired you had an 8 months Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to pick up additional coverage. Unfortunately, that period has passed.
Here’s the good news: You can sign up for a Medicare drug plan now, so you are protected going forward. You may have a penalty, but enrolling now stops the penalty amount from growing.
Next, I recommend applying for LIS/ Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy). If you qualify, it may remove penalties and allow you to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan sooner. You can call 1-800-MEDICARE to apply.
If you don’t qualify for Extra Help, your next Medicare Advantage enrollment window is October 15 – December 7, for coverage effective January 1.
While there is a lot wrapped up in your question here, there are options. One option may be that you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) but I would need more details to confirm if that is the case. I would definitely recommend finding an agent that will be able to break down the details of your options. It may be a little more complicated than just giving you a simple answer here. But don't worry! You can get taken care of. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
Hello, you both are elegible for Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement, but to better assist you and give you a more accurate answer I will need to know your current ( State, zip code, and county).
Hi there! Gosh that is a lot of changes. I know how frustrating this can all be. You can get a Medicare plan outside of enrollment if you've had a special enrollment period like losing coverage. Usually, you have 63 days to get new coverage. I'm happy to help I believe my contact info is avail on this site... but, whomever you contact should be able to get you Advantage plan with a special enrollment period. You should do it quickly as after that 63 days you may have to wait if you are disabled you won't make thru underwriting for a Medicare supplement. I hope this helps. I'm happy to try and resolve. Sincerely
