Who can get Medicare and how do you enroll?
Created in 1965, Medicare started with just two parts- Part A and Part 8-which are explained on the next page. Later on, additional parts-Part C and Part D-were added as the needs of Medicare beneficiaries changed.
You must meet one of the following requirements to be eligible for Medicare
You are age 65 or older, a U.S. citizen or a
permanent U.S. resident and have lived in the U.S.
continuously for five years prior to applying.
You are younger than 65 with a qualifying disability.
You are any age with a diagnosis of end-stage renal
disease or ALS.
When can I enroll?
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
When you become eligible for Medicare, you can enroll in Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan during the 7 month period surrounding your 65th birthday. Which includes the month of your birthday and the three months before or after the month of your birthday.
- The month you turn 65
Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
OEP runs January 1 through March 31. During this period, if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you are allowed to make a onetime election to go to another MA plan or to Original Medicare. If you enroll in Original Medicare, you may also purchase a Medicare Supplement and/or a Prescription Drug Plan.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
Every year, from October 15 through December 7, you can switch, drop or join the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan of your choosing. You can also enroll in Original Medicare. Your plan selection becomes effective January 1 of the following year.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
After certain events, such as a recent move outside of your plan’s service area, or losing your employer or union coverage, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. If you think you qualify, talk to your local sales agent.
You may also qualify for an SEP under these circumstances:
• If you have both Medicare and Medicaid.
• If you lose group health coverage from your spouse’s employer.
• If you get Extra Help paying for prescription drugs.
- Be aware of potential penalties
If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B or Part D when you’re first eligible to enroll, then decide later to enroll, you may have to pay a Part Band/or Part D late enrollment penalty. Go to medicare.gov to see if one of these penalties might apply to you.