Enrolling in Medicare Part B – whether you are just turning 65 or have worked past 65
If you are self-employed or retired when you turn 65, signing up for Medicare Part B is a very simple process. You simply go to the Social Security website, www.ssa.gov, and do it on-line. Medicare allows you to enroll in Medicare Part B three months before your birthday, the month of your birthday and three months after your birthday. This time period is called your Initial Enrollment Period. To ensure they have their Medicare cards as soon as possible, I encourage my clients to go on-line to enroll in Part B three months before their 65th birthday. Individuals who receive their Social Security checks before 65 are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Unless in 2023 your Modified Adjusted Gross Income was higher than $106,000 as a single person or $212,000 as a married couple, you will pay $185 per month for Part B. If your income is higher than these amounts you will pay more. Unless you are fortunate enough to have worked for a company or government agency which provides lifetime health benefits, your choices are either a Medicare Advantage plan with a drug coverage or a Medicare Supplement and drug plan. Either choice is protection against unlimited medical expenses. To enroll in a Medicare Supplement or Advantage plan you are required to be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B.
Often people work past 65 (or have a spouse who is working) for a company with 20 or more employees that provides them with health insurance without enrolling in Medicare Part B. When these benefits are lost due to retirement, death of a spouse, divorce or layoff, signing up for Part B is more complicated if you are past the Initial Enrollment Period. Any of these scenarios are considered a SEP (Special Election Period). In this type of SEP one must fill out a paper application for Medicare Part B and your or your spouse’s employer must complete Request.for.Employment.Information.3.16.2025. This is an important part of the process since it will prevent you from being penalized for not enrolling in Part B when you first turned 65. By completing the Request for Employment Information form, the employer is confirming that you had creditable coverage after turning 65,
Once completed, these forms should be mailed or hand carried to the nearest Social Security office. For additional information contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you have scanning capabities, you can also set up a telephone meeting with Social Security. To be on the safe side, I recommend a telephone or face-to-face meeting with Social Security.