what happens if i don't enroll in medicare at 65

If you do not sign up for Medicare at 65 and are not enrolled in other health insurance, you will be subject to a Medicare late enrollment penalty whenever you eventually sign up for Medicare at a later date.

Full Answer

What happens if I don’t sign up for Medicare when I’m 65?

A. Joining Medicare is voluntary. But there may be consequences—in the form of a late penalty—if you don’t enroll at the “right” time, depending on your circumstances. Part A (hospital insurance) : There is no penalty for delaying to enroll in Part A if you qualify for it automatically on the basis of you or your spouse’s work record. But in most circumstances, there’s no reason …

Can I enroll in Medicare at 65 and still work?

Oct 11, 2020 · Nevertheless, you can enroll when you turn 65. The enrollment window is seven months long. It starts three months before your birthday month. Also, it ends three months after the month that you turn 65. If you don’t sign up on time, you can face a penalty. The penalty is a 10% surcharge on your Medicare part B premium.

Is there a late enrollment penalty for Medicare Part A?

Jan 18, 2021 · What happens if you don’t sign up for Medicare at 65 depends on your situation. With that said, you can be penalized for not signing up for Medicare at 65 if you don’t have credible medical coverage. If you’d like a Medicare specialist to help you, schedule a free consultation with our experienced Medicare agents today.

What happens if I don’t enroll in Medicare Part A on time?

En español | Your initial enrollment period (IEP) for Medicare (when you first become eligible in most cases) lasts for seven months, of which the fourth is the one in which you turn 65. For example, if your birthday is in June, your IEP begins March 1 and ends Sept. 30.

What are the consequences of not signing up for Medicare at age 65?

Specifically, if you fail to sign up for Medicare on time, you'll risk a 10 percent surcharge on your Medicare Part B premiums for each year-long period you go without coverage upon being eligible. (Since Medicare Part A is usually free, a late enrollment penalty doesn't apply for most people.)

Do you automatically go on Medicare at age 65?

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.)

Why is there a penalty for late enrollment in Medicare?

Some people have to buy Part A because they don't qualify for premium-free Part A. If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the higher premium for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.

Do I need to contact Social Security when I turn 65?

If you aren't eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits at age 65, and you aren't getting Social Security benefits, you can still get your full Medicare benefits (including premium-free Part A) at age 65, but you must contact Social Security to sign up.

How long do you have to enroll in Medicare?

You must enroll in Medicare within a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period surrounding the month you turn 65. Enrollment extends three months before and three months after the month of your 65th birthday.

What happens if you don't have creditable coverage for Medicare?

If you are without creditable coverage for 63 or more days before you enroll in Part D, you may have to pay a late enrollment fee. If you choose not to enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) or Medicare Part D, you will not have to pay a late penalty toward Part D coverage. For all of your Medicare questions, speak with Fidelis Insurance today!

Do I have to pay a late enrollment fee for Part D?

If you do not buy Part D when you become eligible to enroll, you may have to pay a late enrollment fee. While you have creditable coverage, you do not have to have Part D. If you are without creditable coverage for 63 or more days before you enroll in Part D, you may have to pay a late enrollment fee.

Are You Automatically Enrolled in Medicare When You Turn 65?

In some instances, yes. For example, Medicare will enroll you for coverage automatically if you’re already receiving Social Security benefits. They may also do so if you receive Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.

How Do I Sign up for Medicare?

You can apply for Medicare during the initial enrollment period. However, there are also two other ways that you can sign up for coverage.

Get Free Help Signing up for Medicare!

Now you know more about how to sign up for Medicare. However, the original Medicare plan has considerable gaps in coverage.

Are You Retired?

If you are retired, you may need to enroll for Medicare when you reach 65. Those that don’t sign up for Medicare when becoming eligible can be penalized. Those who have retiree health plans provided by their former employer may be required to sign up for Original Medicare.

Are You or Your Spouse Still Working and Have Employer Insurance?

If you or your spouse have employee benefits, you can decide to either enroll for Medicare or stay on your employer’s coverage. To determine which coverage would be best for you to stay on, you should check the status of your health coverage with your employer.

Do you Have VA Benefits?

Those with VA benefits are not required to enroll for Medicare. You can decide to stick with your VA coverage. Of course, if you want coverage outside the VA benefits, you can also sign up for Medicare. However, you may need to consider a couple of things if you truly want to maximize your benefits from both coverages.

Bottom Line

What happens if you don’t sign up for Medicare at 65 depends on your situation. With that said, you can be penalized for not signing up for Medicare at 65 if you don’t have credible medical coverage. If you’d like a Medicare specialist to help you, schedule a free consultation with our experienced Medicare agents today.

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Do You Have to Sign up For Medicare if You Are Still Working?

The most common reason for people not signing up for Medicare when they turn 65 is because they are still working. Because they’re still working, they’re likely covered under their employer’s health insurance plan and are also unlikely to be collecting Social Security retirement benefits.

Can I Get Social Security and Not Sign up for Medicare?

Yes and no. Medicare Part B is optional. If you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, you will be automatically enrolled in Part B and then given the option of opting out. You may still continue to receive your Social Security benefits without having Part B.

What happens if you don't get Medicare at 65?

If you didn’t get Medicare at 65, you would not be later charged with late-enrollment penalties, so long as your employer signed this form indicating you’ve had insurance coverage. The form would be presented when you later needed Medicare. There is an eight-month special enrollment period that begins on the date a person aged 65 ...

What is Ask Phil?

“Ask Phil,” aims to help older Americans and their families by answering their health care and financial questions. Phil is the author of the book, “Get What’s Yours for Medicare,” and co-author of “Get What’s Yours: The Revised Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security.” Send your questions to Phil.

Can I collect Social Security at 66?

When you apply for your benefit at age 66, she will be eligible for a spousal benefit. If it’s larger than her survivor benefit, she’d receive an additional payment equal to the difference. If not, her benefit would stay the same. Frank: I’m planning to collect Social Security at age 66 this fall.

What happens if you don't sign up for Medicare?

Specifically, if you fail to sign up for Medicare on time, you’ll risk a 10 percent surcharge on your Medicare Part B premiums for each year-long period you go without coverage upon being eligible.

How long does it take to get Medicare?

Learn how to make sure they have health insurance once you’re enrolled. Medicare eligibility starts at age 65. Your initial window to enroll is the seven-month period that begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after it. Seniors are generally advised to sign up on time to avoid penalties ...

Does Medicare pay for Part A?

That said, it often pays to enroll in Medicare Part A on time even if you have health coverage already. It won’t cost you anything, and this way, Medicare can serve as your secondary insurance and potentially pick up the tab for anything your primary insurance (in this case, your work health plan) doesn’t cover.

There are some reasons to say no to this health coverage at age 65

With health coverage from your employer (or your spouse’s), you can skip signing up for Medicare at age 65. But you need to make sure you do it right to avoid a penalty later.

Will we owe a penalty for skipping Medicare?

Question: My husband and I have only Part A of Medicare because we had insurance through his company, and we kept that coverage after he retired. Our monthly insurance cost is $372 for both of us.