Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP)

What is the Medicare General Enrollment Period?

The Medicare General Enrollment Period is an opportunity for individuals to apply for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B) if they were not automatically enrolled in Medicare or missed their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1-March 31 with coverage beginning July 1.

• You can enroll in Part A, Part B or both during this time

• Coverage begins on July 1 of the same year

• You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty

• You may be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a Medicare Prescription Drug plan (Part D) April 1–June 30 of the same year

Can I avoid penalties if I’m eligible for Medicare but also employed?

It’s likely! Many people continue to work after reaching the age of Medicare Eligibility due to having health coverage through their employer insurance. If this describes your situation, follow these guidelines to avoid late enrollment Medicare penalties:

• Participate in your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period when you turn 65. You may want to consider enrolling in Part A during this time, as it’s premium-free as long as you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

• Be proactive and enroll in Medicare yourself. Medicare doesn’t notify you about your IEP unless you currently receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.

• You may qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) which allows you to delay enrolling in Part B and Part D without incurring late enrollment penalties. You first need to receive confirmation of creditable coverage from your employer.

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