Submitted by Gail Kennedy
Many People Automatically Get Medicare Part A and Part B
Already get benefits from Social Security for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)? If you get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you will automatically get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Medicare Part B is a voluntary program that will normally require you to pay a monthly premium. Medicare will mail you a Medicare card and general information before the date you become eligible.
If this describes you– You get retirement benefits from Social Security or the RRB. You get disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the RRB.
Here’s when you automatically get Part A and Part B. Starting the first day of the month you turn 65. Starting the first day of the 25th month your Social Security of RRB benefits begin.
Special Enrollment Period
If you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B (for which you pay monthly premiums) during your Initial Enrollment Period because you’re covered under a group health plan based on current employment, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You can sign up for Part A and/or Part B as follows:
Anytime that you or your spouse (or family member if you’re disabled) are working, and you’re covered by a group health plan through the employer or union based on that work.
During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the group health plan coverage ends, whichever happens first.
Note About Monthly Premium Penalties: Part A
If you don’t sign up for Part A when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a penalty equal to 10% of the Part A premium, unless you’re eligible for a SEP. The 10% premium penalty applies no matter how long you delay Part A enrollment. You will have to pay a premium for twice the number of years you could have paid Part A, but didn’t sign up. For example, if you delay enrollment for 2 years, you must pay the 10% premium penalty for 4 years.
Note About Monthly Premium Penalties: Part B
If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you may to pay a penalty to get it later. For each 12-month period you delay enrollment in Part B, you will have to pay an extra 10% of the Part B premium, unless you qualify for a SEP. In most cases, you will to pay that penalty every month for as long as you have part B. If you’re enrolled in Part B because you are disabled and you’re paying a premium penalty, you no longer have to pay this penalty once you turn 65. Note: You usually don’t pay this enrollment penalty if you sign up during a SEP.
