Special Enrollment Periods under Part A & Part B If you: To sign up for one of these Special Enrollment Periods, fill out Form CMS-10797 (Application for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Period). Send the completed form to your local Social Security office by fax or mail. If you don’t sign up during your Special Enrollment Period, you’ll have to wait for the next General Enrollment Period and you might have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

A Special Enrollment Period is only available for a limited time. There are certain situations when you can sign up for Part B (and Premium-Part A) during a Special Enrollment Period without paying a late enrollment penalty. Special Situations (Special Enrollment Period) Get details about the late enrollment penalties.

You might pay a monthly late enrollment penalty, if you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Your coverage starts the month after you sign up. This is called the General Enrollment Period. You can sign up between January 1-March 31 each year. Between January 1-March 31 each year (General Enrollment Period) Coverage can’t start earlier than the month you turned 65.Īfter your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you can only sign up for Part B and Premium-Part A during one of the other enrollment periods.

Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. The month you turn 65, or during the 3 months after Part B (and Premium-Part A): Coverage starts based on the month you sign up:

(If your birthday is on the first of the month, coverage starts the month before you turn 65.) If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65. Coverage always starts on the first of the month. The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called “Premium-Part A.” Learn more about how to avoid late enrollment penalties. If you miss your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage.

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