Since qualification by age is one of the eligibility requirements for Medicare, some people may assume they will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare once they turn 65, but this isn’t always the case. 

In this article, we’ll clarify this and explain how Medicare enrollment works and how you can get enrolled automatically.

Will You Get Medicare Automatically After Turning 65?

Most people qualify for Medicare around their 65th birthday and then sign up as soon as they become eligible. However, in certain cases, you may qualify for automatic enrollment in Original Medicare, which includes both Medicare Parts A and B. 

To be enrolled automatically, you have to meet certain criteria:

• You get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for at least 4 months before you turn 65.
• You get disability benefits from either Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board for at least 24 months.
• You were diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Manual Enrollment

If you do not meet one of the above requirements to be automatically enrolled, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare three months before you turn 65. This starts a period known as the Initial Enrollment Period, in which you will have to be manually enrolled in Medicare. This period will then end three months after your 65th birthday month.We highly recommend enrolling during this period to avoid late enrollment fees.

The General Enrollment Period is another period when you can enroll in Medicare and begins on January 1 and ends on March 31 each year. In most cases, if you enroll during this period, you will have to pay late enrollment penalties since you delayed your enrollment past your Initial Enrollment Period. 

The late enrollment penalty is an extra charge that will be added to your Medicare premiums for not enrolling during your Initial Enrollment Period. The late enrollment penalty for Part A isn’t permanent and can be paid off, but that isn’t the case for Part B.

At Eldridge Agency, we know how important it is for you to understand the Medicare enrollment process. That’s why we’re here to help!