“Generally, when you turn 65. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.”*
Some people choose to delay Part B because they are still working and covered under an employer plan.
“ If you want Medicare coverage to start when your job-based health insurance ends, you need to sign up for Part B the month before you or your spouse plan to retire. Your coverage will start the month after Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board) gets your completed forms. You’ll need to fill out an extra form showing you had job-based health coverage while you or your spouse were working.”*
Yes. “The late enrollment penalty is an amount that can be added to your Medicare drug coverage (Part D) premium. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if at any time after your Initial Enrollment Period is over, there’s a period of 63 or more days in a row when you don’t have Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage. You’ll generally have to pay the penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.”*
“Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the “national base beneficiary premium” times the number of full, uncovered months you didn’t have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly premium is rounded to the nearest $.10 and added to your monthly Part D premium.”*
“Medicare Advantage Plans are another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). In most cases, you’ll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network. These plans set a limit on what you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services.”*
It depends. With Medicare Supplements, usually you will have to qualify for a different plan by answering health questions and being approved through an underwriting process.
With Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Plans, there is an annual Open Enrollment period which runs from October 15th – December 7th. During this window, you may change advantage plans without any health questions or other qualifying factors.
*Source: Medicare.gov