Medicare Eligibility & Enrollment

Navigating Key Dates and Periods

Understanding Medicare eligibility and navigating the various Medicare enrollment periods are critical steps to securing your health coverage. At Maria Hansen Insurance, we specialize in guiding you through this process, ensuring you meet all deadlines and choose the right time to enroll in Medicare.

Medicare Eligibility Basics
Generally, Medicare eligibility begins when you turn 65. This applies to most U.S. citizens and legal residents who have lived in the country for at least five years. You typically qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If not, you may be able to buy Part A. Everyone eligible for Medicare can enroll in Medicare Part B, though it carries a monthly premium. Medicare for 65+ is the most common path, but Medicare for disabled individuals can also begin earlier. If you’ve received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for 24 months, you become eligible for Medicare regardless of age. We help answer all your Medicare eligibility questions, including those specific to Mooresville NC Medicare eligibility questions.

Key Medicare Enrollment Periods
Navigating Medicare enrollment periods can be confusing, but understanding them is key to avoiding late enrollment penalties and ensuring continuous coverage.

1. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is your first chance to enroll in Medicare. The IEP lasts for seven months, beginning three months before the month you turn 65, including the month you turn 65, and extending three months after your 65th birthday. For example, if your birthday is in May, your IEP runs from February 1st to August 31st. This is the best time to apply for Medicare, especially for Medicare Part B only, to ensure you have coverage when you need it. We help people turning 65 Mooresville NC understand their IEP.
2. General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you miss your IEP, you can enroll during the GEP, which runs from January 1st to March 31st each year. However, coverage won’t start until July 1st, and you may face a Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty that lasts for as long as you have Part B.
3. Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Also known as Open Enrollment Medicare, the AEP runs from October 15th to December 7th each year. During this time, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.
• Change Medicare Advantage plans.
• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
• Switch Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
• This is a critical time for Medicare annual review and ensuring your plan still meets your needs. We provide AEP Medicare Mooresville NC guidance.

1. Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Special Enrollment Periods (SEP Medicare) allow you to enroll in Medicare or change plans outside the standard enrollment periods if you experience certain life events, such as moving to a new service area, losing other creditable coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help. These periods are vital for maintaining continuous coverage under unexpected circumstances. We assist with SEP Medicare Mooresville NC inquiries.

How to Apply for Medicare
The process for how to apply for Medicare can vary. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits at least four months before your 65th birthday, you’ll generally be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. If not, you’ll need to sign up. You can apply online through the Social Security Administration website, call Social Security, or visit a local Social Security office. For Mooresville NC residents, we offer local Medicare information Mooresville NC and guide you on how to apply for Medicare Mooresville NC, ensuring you meet all Medicare enrollment deadlines Mooresville NC. We are experts in Mooresville NC Medicare enrollment and provide essential Mooresville NC Medicare enrollment services. We can also advise on the best time to enroll Medicare Mooresville NC for optimal coverage.

Understanding Medicare for people turning 65 and Medicare for early retirees requires personalized advice. We also address Medicare and pre-existing conditions, ensuring you know your rights and options. Maria Hansen Insurance provides comprehensive Medicare enrollment assistance, helping you enroll in Medicare Mooresville NC with ease and confidence.