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Signing up for Medicare might seem like an overwhelming task, but if you research well enough in advance, you can be prepared to start your Medicare journey on the right foot. So, where do you begin? Not to worry. We’ve got you covered to learn about your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
This timeframe is a seven-month window that begins three months before your birthday month when you turn 65, and ends three months after that birthday month. Enrolling during this period is critical to avoid penalties and gaps in your Medicare coverage.
Who Needs to Enroll?
If you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits before turning 65, you’ll typically be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B. If not, you must manually enroll during your IEP to avoid delays or penalties.
What Coverage Can Be Enrolled During the Initial Enrollment Period?
During this window, you can choose to sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A & B), a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), or a prescription drug plan (Part D). Of course, you must make a decision about which parts to enroll in. Need help figuring out which plan is right for you? Contact one of our friendly licensed agents to discuss what fits your unique situation.
When Is My IEP? When Does Coverage Begin?
If your birthday is on the first of a month, your initial enrollment period begins a month earlier and ends a month earlier than that of other Medicare-eligible enrollees. Let’s say your birthday is in August but not on the first day of the month, your IEP runs from May 1 through November 30. However, if your birthday is August 1, your IEP runs from April 1 through October 31.
Coverage start dates vary depending on when you enroll. If you enroll during the first three months of your IEP, your Medicare coverage starts on the first of the month in which you turn 65. If you enroll in your birthday month or later, your coverage begins the following month.
For example, if your birthday is June 15 and you enroll in either March, April, or May, then your Medicare coverage starts June 1. If you decide to enroll in June, July, August, or September, your coverage begins the following month
Why a Missed IEP Could Cost You?
Forgetting to enroll during your IEP may push your next enrollment opportunity to the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31. Coverage then starts July 1, and late-enrollment penalties may apply—especially for Part B.
What About Special Situations and Additional Considerations?
If you’re still working and covered under a group health plan (through employment or a spouse), you may delay enrolling in Part B without penalty. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), giving you an additional eight months after your job-based insurance ends to enroll.
If you don’t already have quality insurance, like an employer’s insurance, and did not sign up for Medicare within your initial enrollment period, you will receive a late enrollment penalty.
Part A: If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A and delay enrollment, a 10% premium increase may apply, compounding over time.
Medigap (Supplement) Plans: A six-month Medigap open enrollment window begins when you’re both 65 and enrolled in Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage based on health status
Part D Late Enrollment: Failing to enroll when first eligible can result in a lifetime penalty, unless you qualify for an exception.
Got Medicare Questions?
We hope that this information on the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period is useful to you.
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