A federal health insurance program that pays for a number of health care expenses in known as Medicare. It is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or CMS, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
In most cases, Medicare beneficiaries are seniors aged 65 and older. However, adults with certain medical conditions or permanent disabilities may also qualify for Medicare benefits. If you’re approaching 65 and interested in signing up for Medicare, you may be wondering when you can do so.
You may sign up for Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday. Medicare enrollment will continue for 7 months after this 3 month mark. For instance, if you’re turning 65 in June, you can enroll in Medicare on March 1st. If you do not sign up on March 1st, you’ll have until September 30th to do so.
To avoid penalties and delayed coverage, you need to enroll in Medicare during the correct time frame. This is particularly true if you have no other health insurance, have health insurance you purchased on your own, have retiree benefits from a former employer, have veterans’ benefits, and are in a non-marital domestic relationship and covered by your partner’s employer insurance.
It’s important to understand that if you are currently collecting Social Security, you don’t need to take any action. You’ll be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically the same month you turn 65.
Contact Mair Agency
If you have further questions about when to enroll in Medicare or need assistance with the process, contact us today.