Even though most American citizens are eligible to enroll in and receive Medicare, the processes for enrollment differ from person to person, depending on age and whether or not they receive other public benefits. As you begin your Medicare coverage, make sure that you understand what Medicare covers for you and how you are supposed to access those benefits.
Do I Need to Sign Up for Medicare?
Whether or not a person needs to sign up for Medicare depends upon various factors. Medicare automatically enrolls you in Part A and Part B if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. If you are not receiving these retirement benefits, you must then sign up for Parts A and B to get coverage. Enrollment is never automatic for Parts C and D, so those who want benefits from these parts of Medicare must enroll.
When Will My Benefits Start?
When your benefits start depends upon when you enrolled. If you sign up during the first three months of the initial enrollment period, which is the three months before you turn 65 years of age, the month in which you turn 65 and three months after the month you turn 65, your benefits start in the first day of the month in which you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first of the month, your benefits start on the first of the previous month. If you sign up during the last three months of this period, your benefits will start on the first day of the second month after you enrolled.
Should I Sign Up If I Am Still working?
You can sign up for Medicare as soon as you turn 65 years of age, even if you decide to continue working. You should sign up for Medicare Part A, since it is free and it might provide you with coverage, in addition to any employer health insurance coverage. If you have insurance with your employer, however, you should wait to sign up for Part B, because you must pay monthly premiums for Part B.
If I am Signing Up Late, Do I Have to Pay a Penalty?
If you do not sign up by the time you were first eligible to enroll in Medicare, you might have to pay late penalties. If you can prove that you had coverage from an approved health insurance policy, and you enroll in Medicare at any time during the 8-month period after this coverage ends, you do not need to pay the penalty. If a penalty does apply, your monthly premium rises by 10 percent for Parts A and B, and one percent for Part D.
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