Ask Ms Medicare Enrolling in Medicare Late
Ask Ms. Medicare: Enrolling in Medicare Late Medicare Resource Center
The Part B late penalty amounts to an extra 10 percent—permanently added to the monthly Part B premiums—for each full 12-month period that enrollment was delayed. So, for example, a delay of five years would raise the premiums for Part B (which covers doctors’ visits, outpatient care and medical supplies) by 50 percent for all future years that your mother is in the program.
In addition, she might pay more for Part D drug coverage, which has a
Note, though, that if your mother was covered by health insurance from an employer for whom she or her spouse actively worked at any time after she turned 65, those months would not count toward the Part B penalty. In fact, when this employment ends, she’d be entitled to an immediate special enrollment period to sign up for Part B without penalty. (For more details, see
Also, if your mother’s income is low, she may qualify for state assistance in paying her Part B premiums and would not then be liable for late penalties. (For details, see If she qualifies for low-cost prescription drug coverage under the , any Part D late penalties would also be waived.
Patricia Barry is a senior editor for AARP Integrated Media and the author of “Medicare For Dummies” (Wiley/AARP, October 2013) Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
My Mother is Late Enrolling in Medicare How Does She Sign Up Now
Find out how to enroll late in Medicare and whether you must pay any penalties
Q. My mother is eligible for Medicare but did not sign up when she was supposed to. What does she need to do to get into Medicare now? A. She can sign up during the next general enrollment period, which runs from January 1 through March 31 every year. Her coverage will begin on July 1. She should call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to enroll. Because she has delayed enrolling, a late penalty may be added to her Part B premiums.The Part B late penalty amounts to an extra 10 percent—permanently added to the monthly Part B premiums—for each full 12-month period that enrollment was delayed. So, for example, a delay of five years would raise the premiums for Part B (which covers doctors’ visits, outpatient care and medical supplies) by 50 percent for all future years that your mother is in the program.
In addition, she might pay more for Part D drug coverage, which has a
Note, though, that if your mother was covered by health insurance from an employer for whom she or her spouse actively worked at any time after she turned 65, those months would not count toward the Part B penalty. In fact, when this employment ends, she’d be entitled to an immediate special enrollment period to sign up for Part B without penalty. (For more details, see
Also, if your mother’s income is low, she may qualify for state assistance in paying her Part B premiums and would not then be liable for late penalties. (For details, see If she qualifies for low-cost prescription drug coverage under the , any Part D late penalties would also be waived.
Patricia Barry is a senior editor for AARP Integrated Media and the author of “Medicare For Dummies” (Wiley/AARP, October 2013) Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures