Retiree Needs Medicare by February 1st! What Are His Options?

Hello Toni,

I have collected your articles on Medicare for years from the local newspaper. I’m approaching 65 and preparing to retire next February. I have a question about my enrollment timing.

I turn 65 on October 20th and plan to work through January 2024 to help with the transition of my job responsibilities. I’m planning to enroll in Medicare Part A and B during my Medicare enrollment time. As I understand it, I’ll be paying for Part B when I don’t need it, because I’m still working with group health coverage.

I wanted to make sure that I’m enrolled in Medicare Part B so I can begin a Medicare Supplement Plan G policy when I retired on February 1st.

Look forward to your opinion,
Bill from Houston, TX

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Hello Bill,

I have great news for you. Effective January 1, 2023, Medicare changed the enrollment date for those turning 65. You’ll be able to enroll in Medicare Part B on February 1, 2024, without having to pay for it until it begins in October when you turn 65. Also, because your Medicare Part B begins on February 1, 2024, you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan G. This will start February 1st since that’s when you’ll lose your employer’s group health insurance.

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Medicare enrollment written on a notepad with pen

Medicare’s Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the 7-month period that occurs 3 months before turning 65. Chapter 1 of Toni’s Medicare Survival Guide Advanced Edition explains this enrollment period in detail.

Note: You MUST set up a www.ssa.gov account prior to enrolling in Medicare at aged 65.

Below is a summary of the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period 7-month timeline schedule.

If you enroll within 3 months before turning 65, your Medicare begins the first day of the month you turn 65.
Since Bill turns 65 on October 20th, he can enroll in Medicare Parts A and/or B in July, August, or September (3 months prior), for an October 1^st effective date.
When enrolling in Medicare the month you turn 65 and 3 months after, then your Medicare Part A will begin the month that you turn 65.
When Bill enrolls in Medicare, his Medicare Part A will begin on October 1^st. For more information about Medicare Part A, click here.
If enrolling the month that you turn 65, then Medicare will begin the 1^st of the next month.
Bill can enroll in October, and your Medicare Part B will begin November 1^st. For more information about Medicare Part B, click here.
If enrolling 1 month after you turn 65, your Medicare Part B will begin 1^st of the next month.
If Bill enrolls in November, his Medicare Part B begins on December 1^st.
If enrolling 2 months after you turn 65, your Medicare will begin the next month.
If Bill enrolls in December, his Medicare Part B will begin January 1^st.
If enrolling 3 months after you turn 65, your Medicare will begin the next month.
If Bill enrolls in January (3 months after the month he turns 65), his Medicare Part B will begin on February 1^st. This is when Bill wants his Medicare Part B to begin. Additionally, his Medicare Part A will be back-dated to October 1^st.

What you don’t know about enrolling in Medicare WILL hurt you. To avoid confusion like Bill, call the Toni Says Medicare hotline at 832-519-8664 or email info@tonisays.com for assistance.

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