One of the toughest decisions seniors often have to make is determining when to sign up for Social Security. The decision to sign up for Medicare, on the other hand, is often simpler. That’s because there’s a Medicare enrollment age that applies to most seniors. However, there can be exceptions to that rule, so knowing the ins and outs of Medicare enrollment can help you enroll with confidence.
The Initial Enrollment Period
Medicare enrollment age is generally 65, but that doesn’t mean you have to sign up for Medicare on your 65th birthday exactly. The Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare spans seven months, starting three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ending three months after that month. You can sign up for Medicare at any point during that period and avoid penalties for late enrollment.
How long does it take to sign up for Medicare?
The actual process of signing up for Medicare should take you 30 minutes or less when you apply online. You’ll create an account on the Social Security Administration’s website and answer some basic questions to confirm your eligibility. You can also sign up for Medicare by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or 1-800-325-0778 if you’re deaf or hard of hearing.
You should also know that if you sign up for Medicare before the month you turn 65, your coverage will begin the month you turn 65. If you sign up during the month you turn 65 or during the three months afterward, your coverage will begin the month after you enroll.
Your Part A coverage is retroactive for up to six months from when you enroll if you do so after age 65. So if you sign up at 65 and four months, your coverage will date back to age 65.
If you’re receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B starting the first day of the month you turn 65.
Should I Sign Up for Medicare if I Have Employer Insurance?
There can be penalties for enrolling in Medicare beyond your initial seven-month window. But what if you have health insurance at age 65 and don’t need Medicare? In that case, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. If so, you won’t face late enrollment penalties provided you sign up then.
If you have employer health coverage through your job or your spouse’s, and that group plan covers 20 employees or more, then you’re entitled to a Special Enrollment period through Medicare. That period lasts eight months from when your group health coverage ends or your employment ends — whichever comes first. If you sign up for Medicare during a special enrollment period, your coverage will begin the month after you enroll.
In some cases, it could pay to sign up for Medicare Part A alone even if you’re covered by your employer’s insurance plan. Part A could serve as secondary insurance in the event of a hospitalization. And unlike Part B, there’s generally no cost for Part A, so it’s extra coverage you can potentially benefit from.
If your situation falls into one of these situations, you’ll want to enroll in Medicare right away as you will not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period:
- You’re paying for COBRA which extends your employer health coverage
- You’re paying for private health insurance that didn’t come from an employer
- You’re on a group health plan through an employer covering fewer than 20 employees
- You’re receiving retiree health benefits from an employer but you’re not actively employed (or your spouse is not actively employed)
Can I Sign Up for Medicare After 65?
If you don’t sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you’ll have to wait until Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period to sign up, which takes place January 1st – March 31st every year. If you enroll during this time, your coverage will begin the month after you sign up.
Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty Calculator
If you sign up for Medicare late, you’ll face a 10% penalty on your Part B premiums for each 12-month period you were eligible for coverage but didn’t enroll. This 10% surcharge is added to the cost of your monthly premiums for life.
Let’s say you enrolled in Medicare 24 months late. This year, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $174.70. In this case, you’re looking at a 20% penalty that amounts to $34.94 — meaning, you’ll pay that much extra for coverage per month. The following year, when the Part B premium is reassessed, you’ll pay an additional 20% of the Part B premium.
Can I Sign Up for Medicare at Age 62?
Although you can start collecting Social Security at age 62, Medicare eligibility doesn’t begin until age 65. However, there are exceptions for people who have ALS and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If you’re diagnosed with ESRD at age 60, for example, then you can get Medicare at age 60.
In addition, Medicare eligibility isn’t tied to employment so losing your job prior to age 65 won’t make you eligible to enroll in Medicare early.
How Long is Open Enrollment for Medicare Supplement Policies?
It’s often a good idea to buy a Medigap policy to supplement your Medicare coverage. A Medigap plan could pick up the tab for some of the costs you incur under Medicare, like deductibles and coinsurance. As of 2021, 14.6 million Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medigap plans, according to Congressional Research Service.
Your Medigap open enrollment period lasts six months, beginning the first month you have Medicare Part B. During this period, you can’t be denied Medigap coverage due to pre-existing conditions, and you’ll generally be able to secure coverage at a better rate than enrolling later.
Get Help Signing Up For Medicare with Medicare School
Almost 67 million people are enrolled in Medicare today. If you’re looking forward to joining their ranks, make sure to read up on Medicare enrollment so you can secure the coverage you need without risking lifelong penalties. If you find Medicare confusing, you’re not alone. At Medicare School, we want to educate you on Medicare and be your advocate. Get help with the enrollment process and schedule a call with a Medicare guide. Want to understand a little more about Medicare? Sign up for our free Medicare workshop.
