If you aren’t already getting benefits, you should contact your local Board office about 3 months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up for Medicare even if you don’t plan to retire at age 65.

You should also contact us about applying for Medicare if:

• you’re a disabled widow or widower between age 50 and age 65 but haven’t applied for disability benefits because you’re already getting another kind of benefit;
  
• you had Medicare medical insurance in the past but dropped the coverage; 
  
• you turned down Medicare medical insurance when you became entitled to hospital insurance; or
  
• you, your spouse, or your dependent child has permanent kidney failure. (Contact a social security office in these cases to see if you are eligible.)

Initial Enrollment Period

When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you have a 7-month period to sign up for medical insurance (Part B).  This is called your “initial enrollment period.” If you are eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends 3 months after that birthday.  If you are eligible for Medicare based on disability or permanent kidney failure, your initial enrollment period depends on the date your disability or treatment began.

If you already receive retirement or disability benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Part B when you become entitled to Part A. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of paying for the coverage or turning it down. 

When does my enrollment in Part B become effective?

If you accept the automatic enrollment in Medicare Part B, or if you enroll in Medicare Part B during the first 3 months of your initial enrollment period, your medical insurance protection will start with the month you are first eligible. If you enroll during the last 4 months, your protection will start from 1 to 3 months after you enroll.

General Enrollment Period 

If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins the following July. However, your monthly premium increases 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll.  You may be able to request premium surcharge relief if you were covered by an employer group health plan.

Special Enrollment Period

For People Who Have Employer Group Health Plans.  A “special enrollment period” is available if you are eligible for Medicare and waited to enroll in Medicare Part B because you or your spouse were working and had group health plan coverage, through an employer or union, based on this current employment. If this applies to you, you can sign up for Medicare Part B: 

• any time you are still covered by an employer or union group health plan, through your or your spouse’s current employment, or
  
• during the eight months following the month that the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first). 

If you are disabled and working (or have group health plan coverage from a working family member), the Medicare special enrollment period rules may also apply.

If you are still working and plan to keep your employer's group health plan coverage or your employment has ended, but you can keep your employer's group health plan coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), you should talk to your benefits administrator or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program to help you decide the best time to enroll in Medicare Part B. You can get the telephone number of the program in your State from the Medicare toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-427). Or you can go to www.medicare.gov, click on "Helpful Contacts" and then "General Medicare Information." 

Special Enrollment Period and Medigap

When you sign up for Medicare Part B, you automatically begin your “Medigap open enrollment period.” (A “Medigap” or Medicare Supplemental Insurance policy is sold by a private insurance company to fill in the gaps in Medicare coverage.)  

During this 6-month period, you have a right to buy the Medigap policy of your choice regardless of any health problems you may have. The company cannot refuse you a policy or charge you more than other open enrollment applicants. Once your Medigap open enrollment period begins, it can't be changed or restarted. 

Remember, most people who sign up for Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period don't pay higher premiums. However, if you are eligible but don't sign up for Medicare Part B during the special enrollment period, you will only be able to sign up during the general enrollment period and the cost of Medicare Part B may go up.

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