Delaying Enrollment in Medicare Part B

Boston Elder Law AttorneysSpecializing in Medicaid Planning

Cohen & Oalican, LLC

617-263-1035- Boston508-821-5599 – Raynham978-749-0008 - Andover

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

Can enrollment in Medicare Part B be delayed without having to pay a higher premium?

Enrollment in Medicare Part B can be delayed without paying a higher premium under certain circumstances.

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

If you or your spouse was employed and had group health plan coverage through the union or your respective employer and therefore did not enroll in Medicare Part B when you were first eligible, you can sign up for it during a Special Enrollment Period.

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

You can sign up for Medicare Part B: While you still have health plan coverage provided

by your employer or group plan coverage offered by the union, during your period of employment or that of your spouse

  In the eight-month period after the health plan

coverage given by your employer or union ends or your employment ends, whichever happens first

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

The rules for Special Enrollment in Medicare Part B are also applicable if you have any disability and are working, or if you have health plan coverage provided by an employed member of your family.

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

If you enroll for Medicare Plan B during the Special Enrollment Period, the effective date for commencement of coverage differs depending on when you enroll:

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

1. If you are covered by the group health plan or you enroll in Medicare Part B in the first month after the group health plan coverage ends, the coverage provided by Medicare Part B would begin on the first day of the month of enrollment. If you wish to postpone the coverage, you can designate the starting date to the first day of any of the three months immediately following the enrollment.

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

2. If you enroll any time during the remaining seven months of the Special Enrollment Period, your coverage under the Medicare Part B will begin the month following your enrollment.

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

If you are unable to enroll in the Medicare Part B during your Special Enrollment Period, you cannot enroll again until the next General Enrollment Period, which is scheduled on January 1st through March 31st of each year.

Enrollment in Medicare Part B

If you enroll during this period, you may have to make a higher premium payment for the Medicare Part B health coverage, since you had the opportunity to enroll earlier and chose not to.

For more information on enrollment, please contact Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

If you have any further questions please contact, Cohen & Oalican LLP, elder law attorneys in

Boston, Andover and Raynham

Boston Elder Law AttorneysSpecializing in Medicaid Planning

Cohen & Oalican, LLC

617-263-1035- Boston508-821-5599 – Raynham978-749-0008 - Andover