Just before you turn 65 years old, you have to decide whether or not to enroll in Medicare Part B. Be aware: the cost of Medicare Part B will go up 10% for each 12-month period that you could have had Medicare Part B but didn't take it. You will have to pay this extra amount as long as you have Medicare Part B. This means a long time.
You can sign up for Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, which is three months before your 65th birthday.If you are still receiving health benefits from your (or your spouse's) current employer when you are first eligible for Medicare Part B, you have the option of enrolling in Medicare Part B at a later date - during the Special Enrollment Period. Most people who sign up for Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period don't pay higher premiums. If this applies to you, you can sign up for Medicare Part B:
- Anytime you are still covered by an employer or union group health plan through your (or your spouse's) current or active employment, or
- During the eight months following the month that the group health plans coverage or the employment ends (whichever is first).
If you don't enroll in Medicare Part B during either Enrollment Period, you may sign up during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1st through March 31st of each year. Your Medicare Part B coverage will start on July 1st of the year you sign up.
Go to www.medicare.gov to determine your own eligibility dates OR make an appointment to meet with our HICAP counselor in the DMCC office on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Call 800-434-0222 to make an appointment.
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