Medicare Enrollment

Enrolling in Medicare

One of the most important and stressful decisions a person has to make is deciding how to protect themselves and their loved ones. With several healthcare coverage options available, determining whether or not to enroll in Medicare isn’t an easy choice to make. Tight deadlines are only one of the reasons why the enrollment process can be stressful for future beneficiaries. To help ease the process of accepting coverage, the three most common enrollment periods are outlined below. If you still have questions, give us a call today at (440) 230-1223, and one of our professional agents will help you through the process.

65 Years Old and Over – Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

For most people, the first time you will have the opportunity to enroll in Medicare will be during your 65th birthday. While some people who have health coverage from active employment or from a spouse’s employer won’t have to worry about enrolling in Medicare, others will need to keep an eye out for the Initial Enrollment Period. Typically, the Initial Enrollment Period, IEP, will last for a total of seven months. The process begins three months before your 65th birthday and runs until three months after your birthday month.

It is important to keep in mind, you have the option of declining coverage under Medicare, but it might come at a penalty. Without a qualifying event later on in life, you may have a fee assessed to future premium payments. This can be as high as 10% of your total premiums in some cases.

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Under 65 Years Old – Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

There are some instances where a person might qualify for Medicare before they reach the age of 65. It isn’t common, but under certain circumstances, benefits are made available to those who need healthcare coverage. For example, anyone who is permanently disabled can get coverage under Medicare and are subject to a different enrollment period compared to the IEP.

In this scenario, the government would base your enrollment period around your disability payment instead of your 65th birthday. Specifically, the period would run from four months before your 25th disability payment to three months after. If you are receiving benefits from somewhere else or decline the Medicare benefits, you will still receive an Initial Enrollment Period when you turn 65 too.

Medicare Special Enrollment Period

It is common for people to forego Medicare benefits during their Initial Enrollment Period if they receive coverage through active employment or a spouse’s employer. In this circumstance, once the benefits end, there will be a Special Enrollment Period that kicks in that allows you to elect to receive Medicare without incurring a penalty. Typically, an eight-month window will open up where you can sign up for coverage after your current benefits end.

John Kyle Insurance – An Agency You Can Rely On

To learn more about your enrollment period or for more information on Medicare in general, give us a call today at (440) 230-1223. Our licensed agents are available to meet with you and discuss your coverage options.