How to Enroll in Medicare Part B After Age 65

Most people enroll in Medicare by the time they are age 65.  They are advised to do so and in most cases, this is the best thing to do.  And, in most cases, this is the right thing to do.

There are cases, however, when it is not necessary to sign up for Medicare at age 65.  First of all, people start getting tons of junk mail and other mail advising – and even warning – that a person has to sign up for Medicare part A and B either three months before or three months after their 65th birthday or they would have to pay a great deal more later.

First of all, a person is automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when they are 65.  If a person delays getting Part B, they could end up having to pay a 10% penalty when they finally do sign up.There are exceptions, however.  The main exception is that if a person works past 65, and has medical insurance through their work.  If the person is in this situation, the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows a special enrollment period for the individual to be able to sign up for Medicare Part B.

This special period allows an individual to wait to enroll in Medicare Part B and not be assessed the extra 10% penalty for registering later than normal.  The way this special period works is that the person can sign up for Medicare part B
during the month after they are no longer at their job or during the eight months after their medical coverage from their former employer ended.  Whichever of these happens first is the time when the person needs to apply for Medicare Part B and not have to pay the penalty.

It is important that a person make sure that if they are age 65 and they are covered by their employer’s insurance, they need to do some research to be sure that the insurance – which is through a private insurance company – will work with Medicare.  There are a lot of private insurance companies that will work with Medicare to make sure that the individuals stay covered without gaps.  It is essential to determine if there is a good blend because if not, you could be left vulnerable without appropriate and adequate coverage.

So, if you are getting close to age 65 and you are not working or covered by other employer coverage, it is important to check into enrollment in Medicare to determine if, when and how you should enroll in Medicare Part B.

For more information you can contact the Social Security Administration at www.socialsecurity.gov or www.medicare.gov.

Filed under: General-Medicare