Communicated Content – Medicare AEP is a set time each year for changing your Medicare coverage choices if you choose to. AEP runs from October 15 to December 7 every year.
Who is Eligible?
People 65 years and older, people who are disabled and qualify for Social Security disability benefits, people younger than 65 but meet certain disability requirements, and those who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income can enroll for Medicare during this period. If you are 61 to 64 years old, you have a chance to register during this time as well, but your enrollment will be delayed until July 1 of the year after you become eligible. According to current regulations, you will have to pay more if you delay enrollment.
When is the Annual Enrollment Period?
This enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7 each year. You are only allowed to enroll during this period. If you do not register by this date, you will be eligible for Medicare sometime in January or February of the following year.
What Happens if you Don’t Enroll?
If you do not enroll during this period and cannot follow up with the government, you will be treated as not being eligible for Medicare until the following year. It could delay your eligibility for several months or even years from now on, depending on how far out their time was that you failed to enroll. If you are working and have group health insurance, you may not be covered for the entire period you would normally be eligible for Medicare.
7 Tips For Preparing For Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period
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Know Your Dates.
Trying to remember when the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is, is not easy. It would help if you had your health insurance plan or broker on hand. If you have an agent, you should be able to get a hold of them easily. If not, don’t worry. It’s not as hard as it sounds once your enrollment period is near and the emails start flying through your inbox.
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Determine Your Needs.
It’s also important to determine which type of plan best suits your needs. There are a dizzying array of programs to choose from, and if you go online to their websites, you will find thousands more. The information is on how much you will be paying and, of course, the benefit packages. After reading everything, you can find on health insurance plans, choosing the one that best suits your needs and your situation is critical.
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Be Ready With The Right Questions.
Medicare is not always easy to understand. You need to know what you are entitled to and the enrollment rules. If you have questions, call your agent or broker right away. It is not the time to try and figure out how it all works on your own.
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Don’t Procrastinate.
It’s also important to know that you have a limited time frame in which you can enroll in a Medicare plan. It is not the kind of thing you want to wait until the last minute for. You need to read over everything available to you and make an educated decision about what will work best for your needs. All of this needs to get done well before December 7th rolls around so you can spend your time enjoying yourself instead of stressing out over how much coverage you need versus how much it will cost or if your doctor’s office or hospital will even accept it.
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Consider Your Options.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a month before or after enrollment. Plan and ensure that you’re prepared in every way possible before your enrollment period arrives so that you won’t be lost in the shuffle if something goes wrong. People eligible for Medicare can enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B, or both during this period.
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Understand The Logistics Of Enrolling.
Another thing to remember is that if you enroll during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, you won’t be able to change your coverage until you receive an updated letter from the Social Security Administration. You may have to wait up to twelve weeks or longer for this, so make sure you’re prepared in every way possible if this means sending applications ahead.
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Plan Ahead.
Another important tip is to plan ahead and start gathering documents so that you won’t forget anything when the time comes. It’s also a good idea to print out all these documents for easy access in case you need them. You shouldn’t have any trouble enrolling during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, but if you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to call your agent or broker immediately so they can direct you in the right direction and make sure that your enrollment goes smoothly.
Benefits of Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Medicare is a safety net for citizens who cannot make it independently. If you don’t enroll during this period, you could be left in the dark without coverage if something goes wrong. You may also have difficulty getting things covered on your own if you are injured or sick and can’t afford coverage. Health insurance is important in case of an emergency or health problem that won’t wait until later when you can afford coverage again.
