Deadline Checklist for Enrolling in Medicare Parts and Plans

Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plan? Consider These First Before Choosing

As an insurance advisor in Troy, Michigan for American Insurance Advisors for over 16 years, deadlines are a big deal not only because they have hefty penalties when my clients miss them, but also because missing out on health insurance may well be a matter of life and death when the right circumstances allow.

As such, on today’s entry, I will be running down with you a checklist of deadlines for enrolling in the different parts and plans of your Medicare insurance plan in Michigan.

  • Original Medicare Enrollment (Part A and Part B plus Part B premium)
    • When: 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 65th birthday
    • Conditions: Regardless of your health history and when you wish to enroll, you can select any Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part D plan of your choice.
  • Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Enrollment
    • When: As long as you become eligible for Medicare
    • Conditions: Changing and switching plans can be done at any time of the year but there is no guarantee your enrollment application will be accepted by your Medigap provider of choice.
  • Late Enrollment
    • When: January 1 to March 31 of every year
    • Conditions You can only enroll in a Medicare plan or a Medicare Advantage plan and there may be penalties and fees for your late enrollment as soon as you were eligible at 65 years old. Also, your coverage won’t begin until the first of July.
  • Medicare Part D Enrollment
    • When: April 1 to June 30 of every year
    • Conditions: This is for those who declined drug coverage from when they were first eligible for a Medicare enrollment.
      Depending on how long you have gone for more than 63 days after your eligibility, you may be required to pay a late enrollment penalty and incur a permanent penalty depending on the period you’ve gone without prescription coverage.
  • Plan Change Enrollment
    • When: October 15 to December 7 of every year
    • Conditions: There is no limit during open enrollment as long as you submit the required applications. You can enroll in, change a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription coverage, or even drop out.
  • Special Enrollment
    • When: ‘Special’ enrollment is equivalent to 8 months of being allowed to enroll or switch plans.
    • Conditions: You are only eligible for a Special Enrollment when you satisfy the following requirements:
      • When you move to a different coverage area
      • When you lose your current coverage due to a plan phased out, a change in your plan’s “creditable” status per the Medicare guidelines, or financial or employment status changes
      • When you become eligible for a Special Help program, Medicaid, PACE, and/or a Special Needs Plan
      • When a clerical mistake on the part of Medicare was incurred

Need help with putting everything together? I offer unparalleled industry expertise and will help you find solutions to your quality health and life insurance problems so you can be on top of your deadlines.

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