AVOID GAPS IN YOUR COVERAGE NEWEST MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY RULES
You don’t get Medicare because you want it. You must first be eligible for Medicare. Medicare eligibility doesn’t mean you
enrolled in month five, or three months after your enrollment month for months six and seven. Back to the July example, if you enrolled in August, Medicare would start in October; if you
office, sign up for Medicare and have it start the next month. You must wait until the General Enrollment Period from Jan. 1–March 31. This is just for enrollment. Medicare then does not begin until July 1, and you could only purchase a Part D drug plan and/or Medicare Supplement. No Medicare Part C/Medicare Advantage until Jan 1. Not sure about the confused thinking behind such a bad rule. In 2023, when a Medicare beneficiary signs up for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, Medicare coverage starts on the first of the following month. For example, if you sign up in February, Medicare starts March 1. You don’t need to wait until July 1 for Medicare to start. People constantly complain about how confusing Medicare is. Medicare rules — believe it or not — remain constant over time. These two rule changes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) are unusual because Medicare does not change much, but these new rules are a welcome adjustment to how Medicare operates. When you do not deal with Medicare rules daily, they feel overwhelming. I understand and sympathize. Also, understanding Medicare eligibility and the ability to enroll in Medicare is critical. There is no room for mistakes. You want to know how Medicare works, the rules, and the intricacies so you have the best possible Medicare health coverage. You can also just call us to speak with a licensed agent rather than trying to remember the Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment rules. We listen to your situation and provide the most up-to- date and relevant Medicare information.
can enroll in Medicare whenever you want. You can only enroll in Medicare during specific periods and under certain circumstances. These special times are
enrolled in October, Medicare wouldn’t start until January.
Now, when you enroll during the last three
called election periods, which are governed by different criteria and circumstances.
months, Medicare starts immediately the following month. For example, if your 65th birthday is in July and you enroll in Medicare in August, Medicare starts Sep. 1 instead of Oct 1. Or if your 65th birthday is in July and you enroll in Medicare in September, Medicare starts Oct. 1 instead of Dec. 1. This makes way more sense. It shortens the waiting time and prevents lapses in coverage from employer health plans ending on an immovable date. MEDICARE GENERAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD ELIGIBILITY Over the years, a few people came to me who missed enrolling in Medicare when they were first eligible. Consequently, they were given the infamous Medicare 10% penalty compounded for every year without Medicare, but more importantly, their Medicare eligibility was affected. They could not start their Medicare health coverage until months later. Quite often, they had no health coverage for months. They are entirely on their own, paying for any medical services required from their own pockets. Imagine you’re 67 and decide it’s time to get Medicare. You retired a few years back but never signed up for Medicare. You can’t just show up at the Social Security
Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) , which expanded, streamlined, and made Medicare eligibility and enrollment easier.
Two change areas are relevant to those first going on Medicare in 2023.
THE LAST 3 MONTHS OF MEDICARE INITIAL ENROLLMENT You have probably heard you have seven months to enroll in Medicare — three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and three months after your 65th birthday. This is referred to as your Initial Enrollment Period . The problem for years was a bizarre rule when you enroll during the last three months of this period, it affected your Medicare eligibility. The old rule was if you enrolled during the three months before your 65th birthday, Medicare started the month you turned 65. That remains the same. For example, your 65th birthday is in July. Your Medicare will begin in July if you enroll in April, May, or June. If you enrolled during the three months after your 65th birthday, Medicare would not start until two months later if you
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