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Missed Your Medicare Part B Enrollment? Sign Up During the General Enrollment Period

Older adults sign up for Medicare part B on their laptop

 

Navigating Medicare enrollment can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to stay informed about your options and deadlines. If you missed signing up for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) within 3 months before or after turning age 65, don’t worry—you have another chance to enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year.

If you didn’t enroll in Part B when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. Your monthly premium will increase 10% for each 12-month period that you were eligible for Part B but did not sign up for it. Your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up.

To learn more about Medicare and to sign up for Medicare Part B, please visit our Medicare Benefits page at www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare.

You may also find more information in our Medicare publication at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf.


Contributor Kirk Larson is the Washington State Social Security Public Affairs Representative.Kirk Larson Social Security Administration

 

 

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