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Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

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Welcome to the Medicare Enrollment and Eligibility Resource Center, your one-stop shop for Medicare information and planning for when you turn 65. Here you'll find the tools and resources you need to help you feel confident about signing up for Medicare for the first time, when you qualify due to age. If you’re qualifying for Medicare due to disability, please click here for more information.

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) 


Am I automatically enrolled in Medicare at 65? 


Do I need Medicare if working past 65? 


When can I enroll in Medicare?  


What happens if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period? 


How do I know what Medicare coverage I need? 

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

 

Around your 65th birthday (or 25th disability check), you'll have a 7-month window of time when you can sign up for Medicare. It's called your Initial Enrollment Period — or IEP for short. Your IEP includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
 

 

Example: You turn 65 on June 7. Your IEP is from March 1 to September 30.
 

If, however, your birthday is on the 1st of the month, then your IEP is determined as though you were born the month before.
 

Example: You turn 65 on June 1. Your IEP is from February 1 to August 31.

Your IEP includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.

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Am I automatically enrolled in Medicare at 65?

 

If you currently receive Social Security   or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you may be automatically enrolled. You'll receive your Medicare card in the mail before your 65th birthday. You'll still have an IEP, during which you may make Medicare coverage decisions.
 

If you are not currently receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65, you'll have to sign up for Medicare yourself. Medicare may not notify you about your eligibility, so be sure to get your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) dates and put them in your calendar.
 

Get your comprehensive Medicare guide


You'll get timely email reminders and information to help you navigate your Initial Enrollment Period as smoothly as possible.

 

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Do I need Medicare if working past 65?

 

If you are planning to continue working past age 65, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare. If you have credible health coverage from your employer or are covered under a spouse's employer plan, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, and be able to delay enrolling without penalty.
 

In some situations, though, you may still be required to take full Medicare benefits at age 65 even if you plan to keep working. One such example is when an employer has fewer than 20 employees.
 

Find out if you can delay enrolling in Medicare  

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When can I enroll in Medicare?

 

For most people, the first time you can enroll in Medicare is around your 65th birthday. You can also qualify to enroll in Medicare with a qualifying disability after you’ve received disability benefits for 24 months, or have a qualifying medical condition such as Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).  

Use this tool to find your Medicare eligibility dates based on age, disability or medical condition. 

Turning 65
Over 65 and retiring or losing employer coverage
Qualifying disability
Over 65 and Retiring or Losing Employer Coverage

Enter your date of birth

Note: This information is used only to help calculate your enrollment dates.

Please enter a valid date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Input field for date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Initial Enrollment Period: Turning 65 on March 01, 2021

Enrollment Period
BIRTH MONTH
2005 CALENDER
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2005 CALENDER
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Start Over

Enter your retirement date or the date you're losing your employer coverage (whichever happens first).

Note: This information is used only to help calculate your enrollment dates.

Please enter a valid date (MM/YYYY)

Input field for date of birth

Enrollment Period
Retirement Date (Or date your coverage ends)

Special Enrollment for Parts A and B: Retiring or losing coverage in

CALENDER












Special Enrollment Period for Parts C and D: Retiring or losing coverage in

CALENDER












Start Over

Please select one of the options below if applicable:

Note: This information is used only to help calculate your enrollment dates.

First radio button input field

Second radio button input field

Last radio button input field

Enter date you began receiving disability benefits (MM/YYYY)

Please enter valid date (MM/YYYY)

Initial Enrollment Period: Began receiving disability benefits in September 2012

Enrollment Period
25 month of receiving disability benefits
2005 CALENDER
JAN
FEB
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Jun
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2005 CALENDER
JAN
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Medicare Coverage and Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)

You are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) the month your Social Security disability benefits begin when you have ALS. It’s a good idea to apply for these benefits as soon as you are diagnosed, since there may be a waiting period before they kick in.

Even though you are enrolled in Original Medicare automatically, you may still make other Medicare coverage choices, such as adding Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Coverage and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

You may get Medicare benefits at any age if you have ESRD and one of the following applies:

  • You are eligible for Medicare based on your work record.
  • You are already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, or you are eligible for benefits.
  • Your spouse or parent meets one of the above requirements.

Medicare coverage starts the fourth month you receive dialysis treatments. For example, your Medicare coverage would start on October 1 if you start getting your dialysis treatments in July.

Medicare coverage could start the first month you receive treatments if all of these apply:

  • You attend a home dialysis training program provided by a Medicare-certified training facility.
  • Your doctor expects you to complete the training and be able to do your own dialysis treatments.
  • You maintain regular dialysis treatments throughout the usual required waiting period.

You must enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) yourself. Once you have both Part A and Part B, you may make other Medicare coverage choices, such as adding Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.

If you are 65 or older, or disabled, and are already enrolled in Part A, you may enroll in Part B without penalty if you are approved for Medicare based on ESRD. You may also have an existing Part B late enrollment penalty removed.

Start Over

What happens if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period?

 

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, Medicare offers a General Enrollment Period (GEP) for those who did not sign up around their 65th birthday. You could face late enrollment penalties if you wait too long to sign up, and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Learn more about missing your Initial Enrollment Period here.

 

 

Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP)


The GEP is from January 1 to March 31 every year. Here's what you need to know:
 

  • You can enroll in Part A, Part B or both during this time
  • Coverage for Part B and premium Part A will begin the month after enrollment
    Learn more about Medicare Part A
  • You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty
  • After you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you may be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a prescription drug (Part D) plan

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How do I know what Medicare coverage I need?

 

You'll have decisions to make during your IEP, even if you're automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. What Medicare coverage you need to enroll in is based on your personal situation. Original Medicare doesn't cover everything, and Medicare coverage offered by private insurers—such as a Medicare Advantage or a Part D plan—could help fill in the gaps.

 

Consider your health and lifestyle needs, your employment status, health conditions, prescription drug use and if you need dental or vision coverage.

You need prescription drugs

 

If you use prescription drugs, you will either need to get a standalone Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage. Medicare Part A will only cover drugs you use in the hospital as an inpatient. Medicare Part B may also cover select vaccines, such as flu shots, but most vaccinations, including the shingles vaccine, are only covered through Part D.

 

You want dental, vision and other health benefits

 

Dental, vision, hearing and fitness benefits are not covered by Medicare Parts A, Part B or Part D. Only Medicare Advantage plans offer these benefits and others, such as transportation for medical appointments and virtual doctor visits. (Benefits vary by plan.)

 

You want help with Medicare costs

 

Medicare costs can add up. If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, you can add a Medigap plan to help with out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and coinsurance. You can also consider a Medicare Advantage plan that includes an out-of-pocket maximum, which can offer financial protection.

 

You are also eligible for Medicaid

 

There are Medicare plans specifically designed for people who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. Dual Special Needs plans are a special kind of Medicare Advantage plan that combine Medicare Parts A, B and D, let you keep your Medicaid benefits, and also have extra benefits such as dental and vision.

Your Medicare coverage choices need to fit your health needs, lifestyle and budget. You will have a chance to review your coverage, and make changes each year during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7.

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