Enrolling in Medicare Part B


Medicare Part B refers to the component of Medicare that covers your medical insurance.  It consists of medically-necessary services not included in your hospital insurance (Part A), like doctor’s services, outpatient care, and some preventive services.  Enrolling in Part B is an important aspect of maintaining continued health and ensuring adequate coverage for a number of your health needs.

Unlike Medicare Part A, however, Part B will cost most beneficiaries a monthly premium, as well as the annual deductible.  In addition to these fees, if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you are first eligible, you may be required to pay a late enrollment penalty, depending on the circumstances surrounding your delayed enrollment.  The late penalty is typically 10% for each year you could have been enrolled, and can be required as long as you are enrolled in Part B.

The best time to sign up for Medicare Part B is, like most parts of a Medicare plan, when you’re first eligible.  If you are receiving Social Security or RRB benefits, you will automatically be enrolled the month you turn 65.  If you choose not to receive Part B, you can opt out.  If you don’t qualify for automatic enrollment and want to receive Part B, you will need to sign up when you are nearing your 65th birthday.

If you previously chose not to sign up (or decided to opt out) but now think you may like to enroll, you will need to take advantage of the general enrollment period.  This period is from January 1 to March 31 of each year, and coverage begins on July 1.  Keep in mind, however, that even if you enroll during this period, you may have to pay the late enrollment fee, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

In order to be exempt from this late enrollment penalty, you must qualify for the special enrollment period. If you or your spouse have a group health plan through work, you can sign up for Part B any time during that employment plan or eight months after the month the employment – or the group health plan coverage – ends. You also qualify if you didn’t enroll during your initial eligibility due to health insurance you had when volunteering in a foreign country.  In most cases, if you do qualify for a special enrollment period, you will not have to pay your late enrollment penalty.

The easiest way to receive complete coverage through Medicare is to sign up as soon as you can.  For more information, visit www.medicare.gov, or call Social Security at 1-800-662-1213.


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