What is Medicare’s General Enrollment Period?
Toni,
I turned 65 two years ago and did not enroll in Medicare because I don’t have any health issues. A friend advised me to enroll during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period. I received a letter stating that I’ve been denied because I did not enroll in Medicare when I turned 65.
The letter also stated that I need to enroll in Medicare online during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period which is January 1st through March 31st. I am confused about how to enroll in Medicare online and what website to use. Can you please explain what I need to do in simple terms and what kind of penalty I can expect?
Thanks,
Don from Dallas, TX
Don, the letter stated you must enroll during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period (GEP), which is from January 1st through March 31st each year. This enrollment period is for those who never enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, but not for those who failed to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. That’s what Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—which recently ended on December 7th—is for. You’ll have to wait until 2025’s AEP, which begins on October 15th and runs through December 7th to enroll in Part D.
Beginning January 1st, 2023, Medicare’s General Enrollment Period (GEP) rules changed, helping Americans who had not enrolled in Medicare when turning 65. Page 18 of the 2025 Medicare & You Handbook under “General Enrollment Period” explains that when you enroll in January, February, or March, your Medicare Part B will begin the first day of the following month. If you wait past March 31st to enroll, your Medicare enrollment will be delayed until January 1st of the next year, and you’ll receive a higher Part B penalty. This penalty goes back to the month you turned 65.
How Can I Avoid the Dreaded Part B Penalty?
Don, if we were to have a Toni Says Medicare consultation, whether in person or online by Zoom, I would advise you to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B during 2025’s Medicare GEP. Remember—it begins January 1st. Don’t delay enrolling in Medicare!
Yes, Don, you will receive the Part B penalty. Unfortunately, this 10% penalty accounts for each 12-month period you failed to enroll. Your penalty will be 20% or 30%, depending on the number of years you could have had Part B but neglected to enroll. Unfortunately, the penalty remains in effect for the life of the Medicare beneficiary’s Medicare coverage.
Steps to Enrolling in Medicare
1. Navigate to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and click “apply online” to begin the application process.
2. Apply for benefits!
3. Enter Your Information.
- Pay attention and get ready to enter the following information:
- Name, Social Security number, gender, and date of birth.
- Contact information, including address, phone number, and email address.
- Citizen information about you with what language you read and speak.
- Questions about your health benefits.
After you submit your application online and view your receipt, the system will alert you to any additional information required such as your marriage license.
Your Beneficiary Verification Letter will be available on your Social Security account when your Medicare application is processed. Your new Medicare Card will arrive by mail. Alternatively, you can download your Medicare card by going to medicare.gov and accessing your Medicare account.
Don, when you enroll during Medicare’s GEP from January 1st through March 31st, your Medicare will begin the first day of the month following enrollment. Currently, over 7 million Americans on Medicare receive a Medicare Part B penalty. On average, they accrue over $5,000 in lifetime penalties, all because they didn’t enroll in Medicare at the right time.
Don, you will also receive a Part D penalty and should enroll in the next enrollment period for Medicare Part D, which is the 2025 Medicare AEP. Whichever prescription drug plan you pick will start January 1st (2026) with a specific Part D penalty. The penalty is 1% for each month you fail to enroll in Medicare Part D, starting at age 65. This penalty is based upon the national Part D average premium, which changes as the national Part D average premium changes.
Readers, when turning 65 and covered by an individual policy or no health insurance, please do not delay enrollment in Medicare, as Don did. And remember—with Medicare, what you don’t know WILL hurt you.
More Medicare Resources
Call the Toni Says Medicare hotline for Medicare help at (832)-519-8664 or email your Medicare question to [email protected].
Medicare decisions can be overwhelming, but resources are available to help:
- Visit Medicare.gov: Explore tools and information to compare plans.
- Seek Expert Guidance: Reach out to trusted advisors who specialize in Medicare to customize a plan for your needs.
- Engage Family Support: If navigating Medicare feels overwhelming, involve trusted family members to assist with decisions and research.
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Originally published December 18, 2024
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