Medicare Blog

how to determine medicare coverage start and stop dates

by Leonel Bartell IV Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The date your coverage starts will depend on when you sign up for Medicare: *If your birthday is on the first of the month, your coverage will start on the first day of the month before your birthday month. For example, if you turn 65 on Aug. 1, your coverage will start on July 1.

The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month. If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65.

Full Answer

When does my Medicare coverage start?

Medicare coverage starts based on when you sign up and which sign-up period you’re in. Generally, when you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. My birthday is on the first of the month.

When does Medicare Part A or Part B start?

If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first of the month, coverage starts the month before you turn 65.) Part B (and Premium-Part A): Coverage starts based on the month you sign up: You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65.

How do coverage start dates work?

Here’s a simple explanation of how coverage start dates work in most states. During an open enrollment period: If you enroll in a plan between the 1st and 15th of the month, and pay your premium by the due date, your coverage will start the first day of the next month.

When does my health insurance go into effect?

The day your health insurance goes into effect depends on which half of the month you buy your plan. Here’s a simple explanation of how coverage start dates work in most states. If you enroll in a plan between the 1st and 15th of the month, and pay your premium by the due date, your coverage will start the first day of the next month.

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How do I find my Medicare start date?

For Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, a simple way to determine your exact Medicare effective date is to refer to the lower right corner of your Medicare card or to refer to your letter from either the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.

What is the cutoff date for Medicare changes?

If you have or are eligible for Medicare, you should only use the Fall Open Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) to make changes to your Medicare coverage.

Does Medicare start mid month?

You can enroll in Medicare at anytime during this seven-month period, which includes the three months before, the month of, and the three months following your 65th birthday. The date when your Medicare coverage begins depends on when you sign up.

What are the 3 Medicare enrollment periods?

When you turn 65, you have a seven month window to enroll in Medicare. This includes three months before the month you turn 65, your birth month, and three months after the month you turn 65.

Does Medicare coverage start the month you turn 65?

The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month. If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65.

What is Medicare annual enrollment period?

When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can join a plan. Open Enrollment Period. From October 15 – December 7 each year, you can join, switch, or drop a plan.

What date does Medicare consider the date of service?

The date of service for the Certification is the date the physician completes and signs the plan of care. The date of the Recertification is the date the physician completes the review. For more information, see the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12, Section 180.1.

Can I choose the start date for Medicare Part B?

You can't always pick the date you want to start Part B coverage because the start date depends on what type of enrollment period you sign up in and when during the enrollment period you apply.

What should I be doing 3 months before 65?

You can first apply for Medicare during the three months before your 65th birthday. By applying early, you ensure your coverage will start the day you turn 65. You can also apply the month you turn 65 or within the following three months without penalty, though your coverage will then start after your birthday.

What is the initial coverage election period?

The ICEP, or the Initial Coverage Election Period, refers to the period during which people who are newly eligible for Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. During the ICEP, your clients can enroll in a Medicare Advantage health plan with or without prescription drug coverage.

What are the 4 phases of Medicare Part D coverage?

Throughout the year, your prescription drug plan costs may change depending on the coverage stage you are in. If you have a Part D plan, you move through the CMS coverage stages in this order: deductible (if applicable), initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic coverage.

What does initial enrollment mean?

Initial Enrollment - This usually means that payment is still required in order to activate the policy, but documents have been approved. Active - The first premium payment has been made and the policy is active. Please note, there still may be documents required.

When Will My Medicare Coverage Start?

Like we said above, most people will be automatically enrolled into Medicare. This typically happens when you have already enrolled to receive Soci...

Coordinating Start Dates For Medigap With Medicare

Once you know when your Medicare effective date is, you can apply for Medicare Supplement (Medigap). You can enroll up to 3 months before your part...

Coordinating Start Dates For Medicare Advantage Or Drug Coverage and Medicare

Same applies as above. Once you learn your Original Medicare effective date, you’ll want to apply for Medicare Advantage prior to that date, so tha...

Further Information About Medicare Start Dates

1) If you have delayed Part B, your start date will be different from above, as will your Medicare Advantage and Medigap effective dates.2) If you...

When does Medicare enrollment end?

includes the month you turn age 65. ends three months after that birthday. If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B duringyour initial enrollment period, there is a general enrollment period every ...

When does Medicare start paying for dialysis?

You have end stage renal disease (also known as ESRD or end-stage kidney disease). Your Medicare coverage starts on the 4th month of dialysis treatments. If you participate in a home dialysis training program, your coverage could potentially start on the first month of dialysis.

How long does it take to get insurance after turning 65?

If you sign up in the month after you turn 65, your coverage will start 2 months after you sign up. If you sign up 2 months after you turn 65, your coverage will start 3 months after you sign up. If you sign up 3 months after you turn 65, your coverage will start 3 months after you sign up.

What is the Medicare Part A and B?

You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B the first month your Social Security and Railroad Retirement disability benefits begin. You have end stage renal disease (also known as ESRD or end-stage kidney disease).

When you apply for Medicare will it affect your effective date?

When you choose to apply for Medicare will affect your effective date. Understanding when your Medicare Part A and Part B will be effective is key to coordinate cancellation of your current insurance and enrollment into Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans. While most people will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, ...

How long does Medicare last after you turn 65?

During the 1st month you turn 65. Medicare will start 1 month after you sign up. One month after you turn 65. Medicare will start 2 months after you sign up. 2 months after you turn 65. Medicare will start 3 months after you sign up. 3 months after you turn 65. Medicare will start 3 months after you sign up.

What is the phone number for Medicare?

If you have an urgent matter or need enrollment assistance, call us at 800-930-7956. By submitting your question here, you agree that a licensed sales representative may respond to you about Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, and Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

When do you get your Social Security card?

This typically happens when you have already enrolled to receive Social Security. If this is your case, you will receive your red, white, and blue card about three months before your 65 birthday, and your coverage will begin on the 1st day of your birth month.

What happens if you have delayed Part B?

If you have delayed Part B, your start date will be different from above, as will your Medicare Advantage and Medigap effective dates. If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage and want to switch to Medigap, click to learn your effective date. If you are enrolled in Medigap and Switch to Medicare Advantage, click to learn the rules.

When does Medicare start?

For most people, Medicare coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. Some people delay enrollment and remain on an employer plan. Others may take premium-free Part A and delay Part B. If someone is on Social Security Disability for 24 months, they qualify for Medicare. Those with End-Stage Renal Disease will be immediately eligiblee ...

When do you sign up for unemployment benefits?

It includes your birth month, and it ends three months after your birth month. If you want your benefits to start at the beginning of the month, you turn 65, be sure to sign up at least a month before your birthday. ...

Can you get Medicare if you have ALS?

Those with End-Stage Renal Disease will be immediately eligiblee for Medicare with a diagnosis. When Medicare starts is different for each beneficiary. People with disabilities, ALS, or End-Stage Renal Disease may be eligible for Medicare before they’re 65. If you qualify for Medicare because of a disability, there is no minimum age ...

Is group coverage better than Medicare?

In this scenario, delaying enrollment would make sense, especially if the coverage is better than Medicare. Although, group coverage better than Medicare isn’t the typical scenario. Many people work for small employers;

Can you have Cobra if you don't have Medicare?

So, if you don’t have Medicare, and you only have the group plan, the employer plan won’t pay until your Medicare is active. Further, COBRA is NOT creditable coverage for Medicare. When you delay Part B without creditable coverage, a late enrollment penalty could be coming your way.

What is Medicare coverage?

Medicare coverage is limited to items and services that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury (and within the scope of a Medicare benefit category).

When did the NCD change?

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 amended several portions of the NCD development process with an effective date of January 1, 2004.

1. Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

The initial enrollment period (IEP) includes the three months before and after your 65th birthday as well as your birthday month.

2. Medicare Enrollment if You Have Employer Healthcare Coverage

It’s important to determine whether your health coverage qualifies as group health plan coverage according to the Internal Revenue Service. A group health plan typically provides coverage to employees as well as their families.

3. Medigap Open Enrollment Period

The Medigap open enrollment period depends on your 65th birthday and your Part B enrollment status.

4. Medicare Card Delivery Date

Once you get your Medicare card, you’ll need to present it to your health care provider when accessing care or services under Medicare.

6. General Enrollment Period

January 1 – March 31 If you miss your IEP, you can sign up for Medicare Part A — if you don’t qualify for the premium-free plan — and Part B during the annual general enrollment period. Keep in mind that delaying Medicare enrollment may result in higher premiums.

8. Annual Notice of Change

Each Year in September Your plan provider will send you a “Plan Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) every September, detailing any changes in coverage, costs and providers that will take place starting in January of the following year.

9. Open Enrollment Period

October 15 – December 7 During this time, you can make changes to your current Medicare plans.

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