Medicare Part B Enrollment

Medicare Part B Enrollment

This blog covers the Medicare Part B enrollment rules. It also covers the enrollment rules for Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D plans.

Medicare Part B Enrollment Rules

You are eligible to Enroll in Medicare part A and B when you turn 65. (Some people earlier if disabled) Here are the rules for Medicare A and B.

• Sign up for A and B up to 3 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and up to 3 months after you turn 65
  • If you sign up the month you turn 65 or during the 3 months after you turn 65, the part B coverage will be delayed up to 2 months after the month you sign up.
  • You are taking Social Security payments prior to turning 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare A and B
  • If you are not taking Social Security payments, you will not be auto enrolled and need to sign up.  Use this link to sign up online   Medicare online enrollment
• Medicare Part B Enrollment – Losing or leaving group coverage
  • You have an 8 month period to sign up for Medicare Part B starting the month after the coverage ends
  • Note:  You cannot use the “lost group coverage” special election during your initial 7 month election period.
    • Example:  Bob turned 65 in June but is working so does not take Medicare part B.  In July he is notified his group coverage will end.   Bob must still use the initial election period. He will have a delay of 2 months with his part B enrollment as a result.  He cannot use a special election for lose of group coverage because he is still in his initial election period (3 months before, month of and 3 months after you turn 65)

• Medicare Part B Enrollment –  Other things to know

  • You are not allowed to contribute to an HSA plan if you have Medicare A and/or B
  • You do not need to enroll in Medicare B after the age of 65 if you have coverage through work and are working or if you get coverage through a working spouse.
  • If you stop working or you get coverage through a spouse that stops working you need to sign up for Medicare Part B within 8 months after you or the spouse stopped working
  • Cobra does not count as a valid waiver not to take Medicare part B
  • For all Medicare Part A and B enrollment rules CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

• Medicare part B Enrollment – Missed the Initial election and Special Election to sign up for part B
  • If someone missed their Initial and Special Election for Medicare part B, they will need to sign up for B during the Medicare Part B general election period.
  • Part B general election period runs from Jan 1 through March 31 for a July 1 start date.

Medicare Advantage and Part D Enrollment rules  (Not exactly the same as part B)

• Lost group coverage and sign up for Medicare part B

  • You have an 2 month period after the month you lose group coverage to sign up for an MAPD or PDP plan.
  • Keep in mind, if you are in a state that allows Medicare supplement underwriting, you have a 6 month period from the time you enrolled in part B, to sign up for a supplement on a guaranteed issue basis
  • Moving to a different service area or state- I mention this one because it comes up so often.  You actually have the ability to make a plan change 2 month before you move and up to 2 months after you move
  • If you want to see all the election rules and special election rules for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D CLICK HERE FOR A GUIDE