Medicare Enrollment Periods

What is the Open Enrollment Period?

The open enrollment period is a 6 month period that begins the first day of the month in which you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, you are guaranteed the right to buy a Medicare supplement policy.

What are “Open Enrollment” and “Guaranteed Issue” in Medicare?

Open enrollment allows you to be guaranteed a Medicare supplement insurance plan regardless of your health history. If you apply outside of this time, you must meet medical underwriting requirements to qualify if the insurance company requires it. The Medicare Supplemental open enrollment period includes a six-month period from the date you enrolled in Medicare Part B if age 65 or older, or a six-month period when you turn 65 if you were eligible for Part B benefits before age 65.

When is the Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare?

This period begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you wait until you are 65 or sign up during the last 3 months of the Initial Enrollment Period, the Medicare Part B start date will be delayed.

Only the Initial Enrollment Questionnaires for Beneficiaries over sixty-five, Disabled Beneficiaries, and Beneficiaries with End-Stage Renal Disease are available for online filing.

What is the Special Enrollment Period for Working People Over 65?

If you waited for Medicare Part B because you were covered by union/group healthcare plan, you can benefit from the Special Enrollment Period. In this case, you can easily enroll in Part B coverage while you’re still covered by the union/employer healthcare plan.

  • You can even enroll in Part B coverage during the eight months from when your employment or coverage ends, whichever is first.
  • In case you’re working and want to keep the employer group healthcare coverage intact, you should consult your Benefits Office Administrator. The concerned person will help you figure out when you can enroll in Part B coverage.
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