Health & Benefits

Generally, people must enroll in Medicare in order to start receiving benefits. In some situations, a person may be automatically enrolled. It’s important to ensure proper enrollment so as not to miss any deadlines. 

Automatic enrollment

The following people will be automatically enrolled in Medicare:

• Those already receiving Social Security or Railroad Board benefits for at least four months before reaching age 65. They will be enrolled in both Part A and Part B when they turn 65. They should receive a notification of their Medicare enrollment in the mail.
• People who the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines are disabled. They are auto-enrolled in both part A and Part B after receiving Social Security disability A federal program that gives money to people who cannot work because of a disability insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months.
• People on dialysis or who have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). They will be enrolled in Medicare when their disability A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. benefits start.

The above people must notify the SSA in writing to decline Part B coverage.

Applying for Medicare

Most other people must apply for Medicare.

An application must be made during a seven-month period based on when a person turns 65. This is called the "Initial Enrollment Period." The seven-month Initial Enrollment Period:

• Begins three months before the month a person turns 65,
• Includes the month they turn 65, and
• Ends 3 months after the month they turn 65.

If a person does not enroll in the Initial Enrollment Period, they must wait until the next general enrollment period. This period is January 1 through March 31 of each year. Part B coverage will not start until the July after the general enrollment period.

For each year someone waits to enroll after they turn 65, their Part B premium will increase by 10%. This is called a penalty. Therefore, it is important to apply for Medicare when as soon as someone turns 65.

Certain people are allowed to delay enrolling in Part B without penalty, including the following:

• Those age 65 or over with group health insurance based on their own or their spouse's current employment, or
• They are disabled, and they have group health insurance based on their own or a family member's current employment.

In these cases, the above people can enroll in Part B:

• At any time during the Initial Enrollment Period, even if they are covered by the other health plan, or
• Within 8 months after the end of the employment or the coverage (whichever is earlier).

The official Medicare handbook, Medicare & You, details more about enrolling in Medicare.