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Born, example, 1/1/1960. Does that person have 3 months after January to enroll in Medicare, or would it be 3 months after 12/1/24? Assuming they are waiting to collect Social Security.
Born on the 1st of a month, Medicare backdates a month, effect on 3 months after?
- Thread starter yorkriver1
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MichFlor
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They would have the 3 months before December, the month of December, and 3 months after December - Jan, Feb and March.
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- #4
- 1,828
There is no exception in the 3 months prior and after birth month showing on the official website and the phone rep agrees. In other words January birth has until end of April. I will not encourage waiting as they are mounting up penalties for keeping ACA coverage with tax credits.
It says right here...https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/when-does-medicare-coverage-start
Once you click the link for 1st of the month it says 2 months AFTER your birth month.
Part A can be backdated up to 6 months or the month you turn 65 . . . whichever is earlier.
Part B starts the month after you enroll. Your birth month does not factor in the Part B effective date . . . it is triggered by when you enroll.
Part B (and premium-Part A): Coverage starts based on the month you sign up:
An exception is allowed when you are signing up for Part B more than 3 months after your 65th birthday. For example, if you worked until age 66, were covered by EGH since you turned 65, and were using an SEP to enroll, you can request a specific future effective date for Part B. I have a new client, age 70, retiring in March. He applied for Part B in January and requested an April 1 effective date to coincide with loss of coverage effective April 1.
Delayed date to collect SS benefits does not impact the A or B effective date.
Part B starts the month after you enroll. Your birth month does not factor in the Part B effective date . . . it is triggered by when you enroll.
Part B (and premium-Part A): Coverage starts based on the month you sign up:
An exception is allowed when you are signing up for Part B more than 3 months after your 65th birthday. For example, if you worked until age 66, were covered by EGH since you turned 65, and were using an SEP to enroll, you can request a specific future effective date for Part B. I have a new client, age 70, retiring in March. He applied for Part B in January and requested an April 1 effective date to coincide with loss of coverage effective April 1.
Delayed date to collect SS benefits does not impact the A or B effective date.
- 7,400
In my non-agent opinion, you are exposing yourself to claims for bad advice if you accept that phone rep's statement to mean that the January month is the central (birth) month of a 7 month counting period if you hypothesize a January 1 birthdate. The January (1) birth does not have until the end of April, no matter how much you might wish them to. See information from links kak6407 provided.
When does Medicare coverage start?
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.
www.medicare.gov
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- #9
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I planned to go with this, as a safety move. Reps at Social Security's national phone number may/may not be fully aware of the nuances. I referenced a call to Social Security in this thread where the rep stated the "normal" birth month rule would apply, so up to end of April.
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