AMAC’s Medicare Tip of the Week: Medicare Enrollment Periods Part 1 – Original Medicare
Do you know the earliest date you can sign up for Medicare? 4 out of 5 beneficiaries do not know the earliest they can sign up, but these are important dates you should know. That’s why AMAC’s Medicare Advisory Service is providing you with a three-part series on the Medicare enrollment periods. To learn more about the enrollment timeframes for Original Medicare, check out the video below, and don’t forget to stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 on additional enrollment periods!
For help with Medicare plans – or any questions you may have about Medicare – contact AMAC’s Medicare Advisory Service at 1-855-696-7535 or click the button below. For more information, keep reading and be on the lookout for part 2 of the Medicare Enrollment Series next week!
If you are eligible for Medicare but find yourself confused by Medicare enrollment periods, then this video series is for you!
Medicare is federal health insurance designed for seniors who are age 65 or under 65 with certain disabilities.
Original Medicare consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A covers inpatient hospital care and Part B covers outpatient medical care. You may enroll in Original Medicare during one of three enrollment periods, IEP, GEP, or SEP.
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) surrounds your 65th birthday. During your IEP, you have a 7-month window to enroll in Original Medicare- this starts 3 months before you turn 65 and up to 3 months after the month you turn 65.
If you missed your IEP window, you may enroll in Medicare during the General Enrollment Period (GEP). This runs from January 1st to March 31st of each year. Keep in mind if you enroll during the GEP, your Original Medicare will begin the month after you sign up.
There are exceptional circumstances that allow you to enroll in Original Medicare outside of these timeframes, called a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
The most common SEP’s include losing employer coverage, moving out of your service area, and becoming eligible for Medicaid.
Just to recap, you may enroll into Original Medicare during three enrollment periods- IEP, GEP, or SEP. Now these election periods pertain to Original Medicare, but Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) have their own election periods.
Stay tuned for Part 2 in this series where we will break down the different enrollment periods for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans.
