Medicare Part B has several enrollment periods that you should be aware of. The enrollment period that you may qualify for may vary based on what your current situation is.
The first Medicare Part B enrollment period that most people experience is the "Initial Enrollment Period". This is a 7 month window that starts 6 months before the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and lasts 6 months after the month in which you turn 65. If you enroll in Part B using this enrollment period your medicare Part B will start on the first day of the month you turn 65 or if you enroll after your 65 birthday your coverage will begin on the first day of the following month.
The Part B "General Enrollment Period" is for individuals over 65 that do not currently have medicare part B or other creditable health coverage. This period is from Jan 1st through march 31st every year. If you enroll in part B using this General Enrollment Period your Part B coverage will start on July 1st of the same year.
There is also a "Special Enrollment Period" that begins 63 days before and ends 63 days after the date you lost creditable health coverage from an active employer. You may also qualify for an 8 month Enrollment period that begins on the day you lose employment and/or employment based group health coverage.
There is no such term as Open Season as it pertains to Medicare Part B. You become eligible for Medicare Part B when you turn 65 and have worked long enough and paid enough Social Security taxes. If you continue to work after you turn 65 and are going to be covered under your employer's group health insurance you may not need to enroll in Part B until you retire and come off of your employer's group health plan. Check with your employer about Part B coverage if you continue to work beyond age 65. If you enroll in Part B after at age 66 or later you can get a letter of Creditable Coverage from your employer's group health plan showing that you have been covered under their plan since turning 65 and that will waive any late enrollment penalties for both Part B and Part D of Medicare. The same rules apply if you are going to continue to get your health insurance from your spouse's employer once you turn 65.
.JPG){kind=avatar}
The first Medicare Part B enrollment period that most people experience is the "Initial Enrollment Period". This is a 7 month window that starts 6 months before the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and lasts 6 months after the month in which you turn 65. If you enroll in Part B using this enrollment period your medicare Part B will start on the first day of the month you turn 65 or if you enroll after your 65 birthday your coverage will begin on the first day of the following month.
The Part B "General Enrollment Period" is for individuals over 65 that do not currently have medicare part B or other creditable health coverage. This period is from Jan 1st through march 31st every year. If you enroll in part B using this General Enrollment Period your Part B coverage will start on July 1st of the same year.
There is also a "Special Enrollment Period" that begins 63 days before and ends 63 days after the date you lost creditable health coverage from an active employer. You may also qualify for an 8 month Enrollment period that begins on the day you lose employment and/or employment based group health coverage.