The topic of Medicare can raise a lot of questions for many people. One of the most common questions I receive revolves around when you should sign up for Medicare, and that’s understandable. After all, you can’t simply sign up anytime you want, and the timing of your enrollment window can depend on a variety of factors.
Your Medicare Enrollment Period
In general, your initial enrollment period will run for seven months—the three months before the month of your 65th birthday, through your birthday month, and the full three months after. However, if you or your spouse are still employed during this window and you’re covered by that employer’s plan, you can qualify for a special enrollment period. This essentially means that you can sign up for Medicare during an eight-month window that begins once your employer insurance coverage ends.
Other factors can also affect your enrollment period, including disability, Medicaid, and programs for military and veteran populations.
Because each person’s situation may be unique, we’ve created a flowchart to help walk you through your specific situation to help you identify when you should sign up for Medicare and your potential next steps.
The opinions contained in this complimentary download is provided entirely on behalf of CWM, LLC and is in no way related to Cetera Wealth Services LLC, or its registered representatives. This information is from sources believed to be reliable, but Cetera Wealth Services LLC cannot guarantee or represent that it is accurate or complete.
Avoid The Penalties
If you miss your initial enrollment window, you may be forced to wait to sign up for Medicare. This means you could go months without coverage, and you may end up paying a penalty on your Medicare Part B premiums for as long as you have coverage.
Ready to Enroll in Medicare?
If your enrollment window has begun, visit Medicare.gov to get the process started.
Matt Lewis is a non-registered associate of Cetera Wealth Services LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Any information provided by this individual is provided entirely on behalf of CWM, LLC and is in no way related to Cetera Wealth Services or its registered representatives.
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