Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement, & Medicare Advantage

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Medicare-eligible individuals should enroll 3 months before they turn 65. This period is deemed the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). An individual may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if losing coverage elsewhere like an employer-sponsored plan. There is also an opportunity to enroll and/or make changes during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which is from January 1 to March 31 annually. However, missing the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) may result in penalties, if certain conditions are not met. Medigap plans will also be subject to medical underwriting for approval if the IEP is missed. It is best to contact an advisor prior to turning 65 to make the most informed decision.

There are VERY limited circumstances for which an individual turning 65 may not be eligible. In these rare cases the individual may become eligible, by:

• Receiving disability benefits from Social Security for at least 24 months.
• You can also become eligible by becoming a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident of at least five years.  

If you are younger than 65, it’s also possible to become eligible for Medicare by meeting these specific requirements: 

•  You become permanently disabled
• You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
• You have Lou Gherig’s Disease, also referred to as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

*We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.