Wow, can you believe you are almost 65 or even close to it?
Time does fly and this birthday is actually one a lot of people look forward to because they are able to enroll in Medicare. Depending on your situation, you may or may not want to enroll at this time, but reviewing your options in detail can help you make an informed decision and possibly avoid costly Part B or Part D penalties in the future.
Your Initial Enrollment Period Starts 3 months before you turn 65 years old.
It is important to determine early on if you should enroll and to enroll early if that is your best choice. You can enroll three months before the month you turn 65, the month of your birthday or three months after your birth month. If you enroll in Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65 or the last 3 months your Initial Enrollment Period, the start date for your Medicare coverage will be delayed. Eligibility requirements include:
It is important to determine early on if you should enroll and to enroll early if that is your best choice. You can enroll three months before the month you turn 65, the month of your birthday or three months after your birth month. If you enroll in Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65 or the last 3 months your Initial Enrollment Period, the start date for your Medicare coverage will be delayed. Eligibility requirements include:
- You or your spouse have worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, and
- You're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident for at least five years
- Even if you're not collecting Social Security yet, you're eligible to join at age 65 or later
If you are over 65 you may be able to enroll during a Special Enrollment Period.
You may have the chance to sign up during a Special Enrollment Period. In general you can sign up for Part A and B:
- Anytime you're still covered by the group health plan
- During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the coverage ends, whichever happens first
If you are under 65 with a disability
If you are eligible for Medicare due to disability, requirements include:
- You're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident for at least five years, and
- You have a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and you get disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) for 24 months