Important dates
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You can also download this checklist (PDF, 242 KB) to make sure you have everything you’ll need to apply. Still need 2022 coverage?You can get health coverage for the rest of 2022 if you qualify for:
Check if you qualify Last Updated: 10/28/2022 Fall Medicare open enrollment is going on now: The 2022 fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period for 2023 Medicare coverage started October 15 and lasts until December 7, 2022. Depending on your circumstances, this may be the only time during the year that you may be able to update your Medicare coverage. Compare plans online, enroll online if you're eligible, or speak to a licensed insurance agent today to get help comparing your options by calling 1-800-557-6059 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711. We accept calls 24/7! Quick links:
The chart below summarizes important Medicare enrollment periods. Be sure to refer to this chart so that you don't miss out on your chance to enroll in the coverage you need during the correct Medicare sign up period.
Medicare enrollment and benefits can be confusing. If you are currently eligible for Medicare or are nearing the age of Medicare eligibility, it’s vital to understand the Medicare enrollment dates. Signing up as soon as you are eligible can help avoid a costly late enrollment penalty. This guide provides the information you need to know about Medicare enrollment periods, as well as state resources you can explore for answers to coverage questions and help with paying some of your health care costs. Keep reading to learn how you can enroll in the coverage that fits your needs. Or call 1-800-557-6059 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7! Who Is Eligible for Medicare?You are eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B at age 65 if:
You can meet Medicare eligibility under 65 if you:
When to Enroll in MedicareAutomatic Medicare EnrollmentYou may be automatically enrolled for Medicare Part A and Part B benefits if you are age 65 and already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. If you are under age 65, you may be automatically enrolled if you have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits for 24 calendar months. If you are automatically enrolled, you will receive your red, white and blue Medicare benefits card in the mail. Your Medicare coverage will begin either on the first day of the month during which you turn 65 or on the first day of your 25th month receiving disability benefits. If you are under 65 and have ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease, your Medicare benefits will start the same month your disability benefits begin — there’s no 24-month waiting period. Manual Medicare EnrollmentYou may need to manually sign up for Medicare if one of the following circumstances apply to you:
Veterans who receive VA coverage and are eligible for Medicare can also consider enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B. If you have VA benefits as well as Medicare coverage, your options for care and your coverage net can be widened. Your qualified care would be covered under Medicare Part A and/or Part B, even if you go to a non-VA hospital or doctor. Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)The earliest time you can enroll in Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your Initial Enrollment period lasts for seven months:
If you are under 65 and qualify for Medicare due to disability, the 7-month period is based around your 25th month of disability benefits. Medicare General Enrollment PeriodIf you don't sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period and if you aren't eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, the next time you can enroll in Medicare is during the Medicare General Enrollment Period. The General Enrollment Period lasts from January 1 to March 31 each year. You can only sign up for Part A and/or Part B during this period, and your coverage starts on July 1. You may have to pay a late enrollment period for Part A and/or Part B, as detailed below. Part B Late Enrollment Penalty: If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period but decide to enroll later in life, you will have to pay a late enrollment penalty.Your Part B monthly premium could go up 10 percent for each 12-month period that you were eligible for Part B but didn't sign up. You pay the Part B late enrollment penalty for the rest of your life as long as you remain enrolled in Part B. Medicare Advantage Plan EnrollmentWhen you’re eligible to enroll in Original Medicare, you also become eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan. You need to enroll in Original Medicare before you enroll in Medicare Advantage. Before enrolling in a plan, it may be a good idea to compare Medicare Advantage quotes.
To be eligible for Medicare Part C, you must already be enrolled in Part A and Part B. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan rated lower than five stars but you find a five-star plan in your area, you may be able to switch to the five-star plan at any time between December 8 and November 30 of the following year. This is called the five-star Special Enrollment Period. Compare plan Star Ratings online or speak to a licensed insurance agent today to switch to a 5 star Medicare Advantage plan if you're eligible by calling 1-800-557-6059 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711. We accept calls 24/7! If you are interested in joining a Medicare Advantage plan, you typically can only do so during specific times of the year. The first time you may be able to enroll is during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period, as outlined above. If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage plan or switch back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months that you have Medicare. Are you looking to switch Medicare Advantage plans? Are you enrolling for the first time?Compare plans Or call 1-800-557-6059 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan EnrollmentWhen you’re eligible to enroll in Original Medicare, you also become eligible to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. If you want Medicare prescription drug coverage, you typically have two options:
Learn more about Part D drug coverage. You can also enroll in a prescription drug plan online when you visit MyRxPlans.com. Fall Medicare Open Enrollment PeriodIf you choose not to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan or stand-alone Medicare prescription drug coverage during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the annual Fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period. The 2023 Medicare Open Enrollment period is also called the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP). This period runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. During the Fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can:
Plan changes you make during the 2022 Medicare Fall Annual Enrollment Period go into effect January 2023. Is Medicare Open Enrollment Open Yet?Yes, the fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare prescription drug coverage began October 15 and lasts until December 7. During fall Medicare open enrollment, you may be able to drop, switch or enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for the 2023 plan year. Or call 1-800-557-6059 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment PeriodThe Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period starts January 1 and ends March 31 every year. During this period, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or leave a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP)Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Medicare Special Enrollment Periods can happen at any time during the year. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period for a number of reasons, which can include:
A licensed insurance agent can help you find out if you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period. Find out if you qualify for a Special Enrollment PeriodCompare plans Or call 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) EnrollmentIf you have Original Medicare and would like to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan (also called Medigap), the best time to sign up is during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
If you don’t sign up for a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may still be able to buy one at any time. Insurance companies can take your health into consideration when setting your premiums or deciding whether or not to offer you coverage, however. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B in order to buy a Medigap plan. Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans are very different, and you cannot be enrolled in a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. Learn more about the differences between Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Insurance. Request a free, no-obligation Medicare Supplement Insurance quote today by visiting MedicareSupplement.com. How to Apply for MedicareWhether you are signing up for Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan or other Medicare coverage options, you can get started enrolling today. Signing up for Original MedicareYou can sign up for Medicare one of four ways:
1. Freed M, et al. (Aug. 25, 2022). Medicare Advantage in 2022: Premiums, Out-of-Pocket Limits, Cost Sharing, Supplemental Benefits, Prior Authorization, and Star Ratings. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2022-premiums-out-of-pocket-limits-cost-sharing-supplemental-benefits-prior-authorization-and-star-ratings. 2 CMS. (Oct. 6, 2022). 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings.
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2023-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-star-ratings. What is the Medicare enrollment period for 2022?From October 15 – December 7 each year, you can join, switch, or drop a plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1 (as long as the plan gets your request by December 7). Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
What is the deadline to sign up for Medicare?You can sign up between January 1-March 31 each year. This is called the General Enrollment Period. Your coverage starts July 1.
What happens if you forget to sign up for Medicare?The Part A penalty is 10% added to your monthly premium. You generally pay this extra amount for twice the number of years that you were eligible for Part A but not enrolled. For example, suppose that: You were eligible for Medicare in 2021, but you didn't sign up until 2023.
Can you enroll in Medicare anytime?This is a 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. You can sign up for free Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) (if you're eligible) any time after your Initial Enrollment Period starts.
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