What is the initial enrollment period for Medicare Part A?
Asked by: Brandy Prosacco | Last update: October 12, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (53 votes)
Is there an enrollment period for Medicare Part A?
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
The GEP is a 3-month period that takes place from January 1 through March 31 of each year. Part B and premium Part A coverage will begin the month after a person enrolls during the GEP.
What is the 6 month rule for Medicare?
If they're eligible for premium-free Part A, coverage for Part A begins 6 months back from the date they apply, but no earlier than the first month they were eligible for Medicare. Individuals must stop contributing to their health savings account 6 months before applying for Medicare to prevent paying an IRS penalty.
What does date of initial enrollment mean?
Initial Enrollment Date means the earliest date for Eligible Employees to apply to become Members of the Plan.
What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?
Part A late enrollment penalty
If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the penalty for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.
8 Reasons to DELAY Medicare Past 65 That Will Save You Thousands and Avoid ALL Penalties
Is Medicare Part A mandatory at age 65?
You're not required to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65. However, if you don't enroll when you're first eligible you might be subject to Part A, Part B, and Part D late enrollment penalties. Knowing when you qualify for the different parts of Medicare is important since it lets you know when you can enroll.
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?
Once you stop working (or lose your health insurance, if that happens first) you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can sign up for Medicare (or add Part B to existing Part A coverage).
What are enrollment periods?
An enrollment period is a window of time when you can make changes to your insurance plan. It's actually multiple periods because different circumstances call for different ways to enroll. Let's take a look at the different times to enroll.
Is it a good idea to get Medicare if you're still working at 65?
If your or your spouse's employer has 20 or more employees and a group health plan, you don't have to sign up for Medicare at 65. But if you get Medicare Part A for free, typically you should sign up. (After all, it's free.) In some cases, Medicare Part A may cover what your employer plan doesn't.
What is the 2 2 2 rule in Medicare?
Introduced in the Fiscal Year 2014 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule, the two-midnight rule specifies that Medicare will pay for inpatient hospital admissions when a physician reasonably expects the patient's care to require a stay that crosses two midnights, and the medical record supports this ...
What is the best supplemental insurance for Medicare?
- Best for extra plan benefits: Humana.
- Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm.
- Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare.
- Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Why does Medicare Part A go back 6 months?
Beginning in 1983, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started backdating Medicare coverage retroactively for six months to ensure that people coming off employer-sponsored health coverage would not inadvertently find themselves uninsured while transitioning to Medicare.
What is the cut-off date for Medicare enrollment?
The usual times to make changes are the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31). In addition, Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) allow dually eligible members to make changes at other times of the year.
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.
Can I get Medicare if I never worked but my husband did?
If you do not have at least 40 calendar quarters of work during which you paid Social Security taxes in the U.S., but your spouse does, you may be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A based on your spouse's work history when you turn 65.
How long is the initial enrollment period?
Generally, when you turn 65.
This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. My birthday is on the first of the month.
What is the 7 month rule for Medicare?
Your first chance to sign up for Medicare is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months. If you're eligible for Medicare because of your age, the Initial Enrollment Period starts 3 months before you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.
What is the period of enrollment?
Period of Enrollment means a continuous period of instruction for which the Student has been charged. All scheduled class sessions are included, whether present or absent.
Can I add Medicare Part B at any time?
Important: In most cases, if you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you'll have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B. Also, you may have to wait until the General Enrollment Period (from January 1 – March 31) to enroll in Part B and coverage will start July 1 of that year.
Can you have Medicare Part A and employer insurance at the same time?
Can I combine employer health insurance with Medicare? If you or your spouse are working and covered through an employer, you can also decide to keep this coverage and enroll in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B to get additional health coverage.
How do I enroll in Medicare Part A for the first time?
Contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare.
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
How much money can you have in the bank if you're on Medicare?
eligibility for Medi-Cal. For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.
Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B?
There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.