In general, the IEP begins three months before you turn age 65 and lasts for the three months after the month in which you turn 65. During this time, you can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B. If you miss this window, you may be able to enroll during the general enrollment period.
Part A and Part B Coverage
Part A coverage provides hospital insurance. It includes skilled nursing facility care, inpatient hospital stays, hospice, and some home health care. There are two types of Part A insurance: premium and premium-free. Premium-free Part A doesn’t cost anything for those who’ve paid into it for at least 10 years (in general) via payroll taxes. If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you can still opt for Part A coverage, but you’ll need to make monthly payments. Part B Medicare is medical insurance and includes certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical supplies. The general enrollment period only applies to Part B and premium-based Part A. Most people can sign up for premium-free Part A anytime after they turn 65.
Example of How the General Enrollment Period Works
Let’s say you turned 65 in September 2022 and you retired from your job. Amid all the changes and post-retirement lifestyle, you forgot to sign up for Medicare before your IEP ended at the end of December. Since the GEP runs through March 31, 2023, you sign up through the GEP in March, and under the 2023 rules, your coverage starts in April.
Medicare Part B Late-Enrollment Penalty
Now, let’s say you visited a friend in Spain in September 2021 to celebrate your retirement. You had such a good time you decided to stay in Spain through February 2023. You get back to the U.S. in February 2023 and realize you didn’t sign up for Medicare, so you sign up during the GEP. Because you waited more than a year to sign up for Medicare Part B after you were first eligible, and you aren’t eligible for a special enrollment period, you’ll need to pay an additional monthly late fee. The fee is equal to 10% for each full year you could have signed up for Part B but didn’t (one year, in this case). Your fee is automatically added to your monthly Part B premium, and you’ll pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare Part B.
Medicare General Enrollment Period vs. Special Enrollment Period
There are certain situations (“qualifying life events“) through which you’ll qualify for a special enrollment period. During this period, you can enroll in Part B and premium Part A outside of the general enrollment period. Generally speaking, you’ll qualify for the special enrollment period if you (or your spouse) have health insurance through your job and are still working, are outside the country volunteering, or in specific situations when you have TRICARE.
title: “What Is The Medicare General Enrollment Period " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-07” author: “Herman Jones”
Acronym: GEP
General Medicare Enrollment Period Example
Let’s say Clara, age 67, says she hasn’t worked or carried health insurance since she was 65. Clara has premium-free Part A. She’s now facing multiple medical problems and wants to enroll in Part B. Since she doesn’t qualify for a special enrollment period, she can sign up for Part B during the GEP.
How the General Medicare Enrollment Period Works
You may use the GEP to sign up for Medicare at any time during the months of January, February, or March every year. Regardless of when you enroll and which parts you elect, all coverage begins on July 1. Medicare offers the GEP as a way to sign up for Medicare if you didn’t do so during your initial enrollment period—which runs from three months before the month you turn 65 to three months after the month you turn 65—and you don’t qualify for a special enrollment period.
Late Enrollment Penalty
If you’re required to pay a premium for Part A and didn’t enroll during initial enrollment, and don’t qualify for a special enrollment period, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. The same is true for Part B—except that you’re generally required to pay a premium for Part B. The penalty amount and duration is different for Premium Part A and Part B:
Part A: Your monthly premium increases to 10% for twice the number of years you were late in signing up. For example, if you were eligible but didn’t sign up for Part A for three years, you’d pay a higher premium for six years.Part B: Your monthly premium increases by 10% for each 12-month period you were without coverage and were not covered by active employer insurance. The premium surcharge is a lifetime penalty you must pay for as long as you have Medicare Part B.
Let’s look back at Clara’s example. Clara didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B when she was first eligible and has been without active employer insurance. As a result, her Part B premium penalty is 20% because she wasn’t covered for two full 12-month periods. The standard Part B premium in 2022 is $170.10. A 20% late enrollment penalty on her premium translates to an extra $34.02. Clara’s monthly premium for 2022 will be $204.12. You may be exempt from paying the late enrollment penalty if you’re a working individual (and your spouse) with group coverage, certain international volunteers, or if you delayed enrollment due to incorrect information provided by a federal representative. Individuals permitted to delay enrollment can enroll during the special enrollment period. If you have limited income and resources, you may get help paying your penalty through your state’s Medicare Savings Program.
General Enrollment Period vs. Special Enrollment Period
While both the general enrollment period and special enrollment period let you sign up for Medicare if you missed your initial enrollment period, there are key differences between the two.
