"When Should I Join Medicare to Avoid Penalties?"

What is the most common question when it comes to people approaching Medicare? “When Should I Join Medicare to Avoid Penalties?”

Most people are aware that there are penalties for not enrolling in time, but are not necessarily sure how these penalties are applied and the causes for being penalized. Like most things, sometimes Medicare gets pushed to the back burner. Last minute enrollments and plan changes potentially lead to some issues, and more often than not the penalties you may have heard of.

According to Medicare, folks must be enrolled in Medicare or another accepted insurance plan at the time of their 65th birthday. When you follow this rule, you can safely avoid facing the penalties that can cost you for years down the road. We find that most people are easily able to join Medicare when they turn 65, as they are aware that it is something they must do.

Enrolling in Medicare, for many people we help, involves signing up for Part A and Part B of Medicare. But, there are some special cases in which folks will already have been enrolled in these Parts of Medicare (A and B.)

The majority of people who will be enrolled in Medicare before their 65th birthday are the folks who have been using their Social Security for 4 months before they turn 65.

So, to answer the main question: Everyone has a seven month window in order to be enrolled in Medicare on time to avoid penalties. This window includes 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and 3 months after your 65th birthday. As long as you enroll within this time frame, you will be able to avoid any sort of penalties that come with enrolling at the wrong time.

Avoiding Coverage Gaps

However, it is important to avoid coverage gaps. How do you avoid them? For example, most people who wait to enroll during, or after, their 65th birthday will experience a coverage gap. This happens because there is often a delay between enrolling in Medicare and actually having the coverage.

You can avoid these gaps by ensuring you begin the enrollment process about 3 months before your 65th birthday. When we work with folks, we take the time to find the exact plans that you will benefit most from. And then when you see these plans, it is best to not rush into the first plan you see. When you begin the process early, you can take time and make the most informed decisions for yourself.

Getting Help With Medicare 

There are a few ways we can help you enroll in Medicare, or at least get started on the road to enrollment.

Fill out the Help Form

Simply fill out the contact form, and we will get back to you! We are happy to answer any questions and address any concerns folks have.

Contact us for 1-on-1 Help

Some folks just want to get answers quickly, and we are here to help. For those who don’t mind talking on the phone, we welcome you to call us. In a short 15-min conversation, you can learn what you need to know and get on the right track. We never force you to buy or enroll. We are here to inform you , so you can make the best decisions for yourself. 610-510-4697.