How to Enroll as a Medicare Beneficiary

Assuming you are eligible for Medicare, there are three periods when you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or B: Initial Enrollment Period, Special Enrollment Period, and General Enrollment Period. 

In the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you have seven months to sign up; three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after you turn 65. During this period, eligible beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Enrollment can be completed online at the Medicare Website. When enrolling, make sure to take note of your enrollment time. If you enroll 1 – 3 months before you turn 65, your Part A and/or Part B coverage will start right when you turn 65. If you enroll the month you turn 65 or 1 – 3 months after, your coverage will be delayed.

The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows individuals to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B without incurring late enrollment penalties if they meet certain requirements. Typically, beneficiaries who delayed enrollment due to having employer-sponsored health coverage through their own or their spouse's current employment are the ones eligible for the SEP. If you enroll during a SEP, your Medicare coverage begins the month after Social Security gets your completed request. The SEP lasts for eight months after employment ends or the month after the group health plan insurance ends, whichever comes first. To ensure continuous coverage, enroll during the SEP and avoid late penalties. 

If you missed the Initial Enrollment Period and aren’t eligible for the Special Enrollment Period, you must enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP). The GEP is from January – March 31st of the year and your coverage will start on July 1st. In most cases, enrolling during this period will result in late penalties.