Dear Toni,
A friend introduced me to your Medicare column because I’m stressed about what I need to do to enroll in Medicare. I have started working part-time and am no longer eligible for company benefits. I’m turning 65 on Nov. 11 and need my Medicare to begin that month. I will not be receiving a Social Security check until I am at least 67.
How does Medicare’s fall enrollment time affect me, since I will be applying for Medicare during that period? Please explain what I should do to enroll in Medicare properly and not make any mistakes regarding Medicare’s rules. Thanks, Toni.
— Jenny from Conroe, Texas
Hi Jenny,
Don’t stress yourself about Medicare’s annual enrollment period, which begins Oct. 15, because you will be in your initial enrollment period, Medicare’s special time for those turning 65. During your initial enrollment period, you can pick which Medicare plan, whether original Medicare with a supplement and a standalone Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan with Part D, best fits your medical and financial situation.
During next year’s annual enrollment period, you can make a change to either the Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D, if you select one when you enroll in Medicare this year when you turn 65. This year’s annual enrollment period is not for you!
Medicare’s initial enrollment period is a seven-month window that begins three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and three months after turning 65. If you are covered on Medicare Parts A and B by the end of your initial enrollment period, you can sleep free from worry about Medicare penalties. If you wait past the final three-month period to enroll, Part B and D penalties can begin. (Chapter 1 of Toni’s Medicare Survival Guide Advanced edition explains enrolling in Medicare in detail.)
Below is the Medicare initial enrollment period seven-month timeline:
— If enrolling anytime three months before turning 65, your Medicare begins the first day of the month you turn 65. (Since Jenny will turn 65 on Nov. 10, she can enroll in Medicare Parts A and/or B in August, September or October for a Nov.1 effective date.)
— If enrolling the month you turn 65, then Medicare will begin the 1st of next month. (If Jenny enrolls in November, her Medicare will begin Dec. 1.)
— If enrolling one month after you turn 65, your Medicare will begin 1st of the next month. (If Jenny enrolls in December, her Medicare begins Jan. 1.)
— If enrolling two months after you turn 65, your Medicare will begin the next month. (If Jenny enrolls in January, her Medicare will begin Feb.1.)
— If enrolling three months after you turn 65, your Medicare will begin the next month. (If Jenny enrolls in February, her Medicare will begin Mar.1.)
Jenny, since you are not receiving your Social Security check, you need to create a My Social Security Account through Social Security’s website at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. Social Security enrolls America in Medicare.
Please enroll either in September or October for your Medicare Parts A and B to have an effective date of Nov. 1. Once you have enrolled in Medicare on the ssa.gov website, you can view your Benefit Verification Letter and access your Medicare Part A and B dates with your new Medicare number and enroll in whatever Medicare health and prescription drug plan you wish. Whether you pick a Medicare supplement with a Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage HMO/PPO plan with prescription drugs, find a plan that best fits your medical or financial needs.
Readers, always thoroughly explore your Medicare options when turning 65 because with Medicare, what you don’t know will hurt you.
Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. For a Medicare checkup, call the Toni Says call center at 832-519-8664 or email info@tonisays.com regarding your Medicare plans and options. Toni Says Medicare Survival Guide Advanced edition is available at tonisays.com. Toni’s Medicare Moments articles have just been released: familytalktoday.com/medicare-moments.