Medicare open enrollment can get confusing
Beginning
When you become eligible for Medicare during this period, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan. You can then switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or join Original Medicare within the first three months you have Medicare.
A reader wrote: "I am very confused about the deadlines for enrolling in Medicare, when coverage starts, and changing options. For example, if I am enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, and want to change to another plan, when can I do it?"
An excellent source of information about options, deadlines and the start of coverage is "Medicare and You 2023." This handbook is published by the
Initial Enrollment Period: You can first sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the seven-month period that begins three months before you the month you turn 65. The period includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. If you enroll in Part A and/or Part B during the first three months of your Initial Enrollment Period, in most cases, your coverage begins the first day of your birthday month. But if your birthdate is on the first day of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the prior month. If you sign up and are paying for Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65, or during the last three months of your Initial Enrollment Period, the start date will be delayed in 2022.
Beginning
When you become eligible for Medicare during this period, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan. You can then switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or join Original Medicare within the first three months you have Medicare.
Special Enrollment Period: If you didn't sign up for Part A or B when you were first eligible because you were still employed and were covered by a group health employer plan, you can sign up for Part A and/or Part B during this period. You can enroll any time you are still covered by the group health plan; or during the eight-month period that begins the month after employment ends or the coverage ends, whichever happens first.
General Enrollment Period: (
Open Enrollment Period: (
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: (
Medigap (
Summary of changes you can make now: Since you are now in the Open Enrollment Period (
Beginning
When you become eligible for Medicare during this period, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan. You can then switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or join Original Medicare within the first three months you have Medicare.
The Savings Game
Guest columnist
For your reference
"Medicare and You 2023."
This handbook, published by the
To get a free copy of a state-specific book, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
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