When Myra first became eligible for Medicare, she enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). She is now 67 and will turn 68 on July 1. She would now like to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and approaches you about her options. What advice would you give her?

You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B to enroll in Part D. Medicare drug coverage is only available through private plans. If you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B and you do not have other drug coverage (creditable coverage), you should enroll in a Part D plan.

You can sign up for Medicare Advantage April through June, after you have signed up for Parts A and B during the GEP. Fall Open Enrollment Period: The October 15 through December 7 period each year when you can change your Medicare coverage.

She would like to enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan that is available in her area. In what type of Medicare Health Plan can she enroll if she also wishes to enroll in the standalone Part D plan? A Cost Plan only if it does not offer drug coverage.

Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). Between April 1–June 30. The late enrollment penalty is an amount that’s permanently added to your Medicare drug coverage (Part D) premium. If you have a penalty, you’ll generally have to pay it for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.

Because of this, it’s possible to have both Medicare and a group health plan after age 65. For these individuals, Medicare and employer insurance can work together to ensure that healthcare needs and costs are covered.

about 3 weeks

If you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible for Medicare, you can be subject to a late-enrollment penalty, which is added to the Medicare Part A premium. The penalty is 10% of your monthly premium, and it applies regardless of the length of the delay.

3 ways to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty

1. Enroll in Medicare drug coverage when you’re first eligible.
2. Enroll in Medicare drug coverage if you lose other creditable coverage.
3. Keep records showing when you had other creditable drug coverage, and tell your plan when they ask about it.

Medicare Part B is optional, but in some ways, it can feel mandatory, because there are penalties associated with delayed enrollment. As discussed later, you don’t have to enroll in Part B, particularly if you’re still working when you reach age 65.

8 months

You should start your Part B coverage as soon as you stop working or lose your current employer coverage (even if you sign up for COBRA or retiree health coverage from your employer). You have 8 months to enroll in Medicare once you stop working OR your employer coverage ends (whichever happens first).

If you wait until the month you turn 65 (or the 3 months after you turn 65) to enroll, your Part B coverage will be delayed. This could cause a gap in your coverage. In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

Your Medicare Part A and B claims are submitted directly to Medicare by your providers (doctors, hospitals, labs, suppliers, etc.). Medicare takes approximately 30 days to process each claim.

You can also check the status of your application by visiting or calling a Social Security office….You can also visit the Check Enrollment page on Medicare.gov and find information about your enrollment status by entering your:

1. ZIP code.
2. Medicare number.
3. last name.
4. date of birth.
5. Medicare Part A effective date.

Call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) and ask to confirm your client’s LIS eligibility.

If you already have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and you’re eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), you have options for how to apply. Note: If you don’t already have Part A you can apply online at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare. …

Visit your local Social Security office. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). If you worked for a railroad, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772. If you already have Part A and want to sign up for Part B, complete an Application for Enrollment in Part B (CMS-40B).

If you sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65.

Your Medicare coverage generally starts on the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday falls on the first day of the month, your Medicare coverage starts the first day of the previous month. If you qualify for Medicare because of a disability or illness, in most cases your IEP is also seven months.

Go to “Apply Online for Medicare Part B During a Special Enrollment Period” and complete CMS-40B and CMS-L564. Then, upload your evidence of Group Health Plan or Large Group Health Plan. 2. Fax your CMS-40B and employer-signed CMS-L564 forms to 1-833-914-2016.

Before you apply for Medicare, be aware that you might have several insurance options. For example, you may be able to: Drop your employer coverage and enroll in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B. Medicare Supplement insurance can help pay the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare Part A and Part B.

When the employer-tied coverage ends, you’re entitled to a special enrollment period of up to eight months to sign up for Medicare. You can’t delay Medicare enrollment without penalty if your employer-sponsored coverage comes from retiree benefits or COBRA — by definition, these do not count as active employment.

You don’t have to sign up for full Medicare coverage at age 65 if you’re still covered under an employer’s plan. But you’ll need to watch enrollment deadlines.

You can voluntarily terminate your Medicare Part B (medical insurance). However, since this is a serious decision, you may need to have a personal interview. A Social Security representative will help you complete Form CMS 1763.

If you didn’t get Part B when you’re first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you could’ve had Part B, but didn’t sign up. In most cases, you’ll have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B.