Everything You Need to Know About the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

If you’re turning 65 soon, the Medicare initial enrollment period is your first window to sign up. It’s a limited time, and missing it can cost you.

More than 11,000 people age into eligibility every day, according to an NPR report. That’s a lot of people all trying to get it right the first time.

At Absolute Best Insurance, we’ve helped South Florida residents for over 20 years make sense of the process. Our licensed agents in Tamarac, Greenacres, Deerfield Beach, Vero Beach, Micco, and Port St. Lucie are ready to help you get covered.

What Is the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?

The Medicare initial enrollment period is a seven-month window that surrounds your 65th birthday. It starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends three months after.

We have a few customers who live near HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital in Tamarac with birthdays in December. They can sign up as early as September and as late as March next year. Signing up early means your coverage will start on time and you’ll avoid delays or penalties.

This is your first chance to enroll in a plan. If you miss it, you may face higher costs and delayed coverage.

Who’s Eligible to Sign Up?

Most people become eligible around age 65 if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

You can also qualify under 65 if you have a qualifying disability, ALS, or end-stage renal disease.

We have helped our clients in places like Vero Beach Highlands and Micco near Indian River Drive who meet these conditions get signed up at no additional cost. Our services are Free!

If you’re unsure about eligibility, the Social Security Administration offers a detailed breakdown here: SSA Eligibility Info

What Happens If You Miss the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?

Missing the Medicare initial enrollment period can trigger permanent late penalties. These penalties typically last for however long you have coverage, even if you change your plan later on.

• For Part B, your monthly premium can go up 10% for each full year you were eligible but didn’t enroll.
• For Part D, the late enrollment penalty depends on how long you went without coverage.

We’ve seen cases in Tamarac and Deerfield Beach where delays resulted in higher premiums for life. It’s not just about missing a deadline; it’s about how long you’ll pay for it.

“Most people don’t realize the penalty is permanent,” says Stacy Murphy, Owner of Absolute Best Insurance. “We help you track those dates and avoid costly mistakes.”

What About the Special Enrollment Period?

If you miss your initial window but qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), you may still be able to enroll without penalty.

SEPs apply when you lose job-based insurance, move out of a plan’s service area, or face other qualifying life events. For example, we recently helped a client in Greenacres who delayed retirement until age 67 and qualified for a SEP when his employer coverage ended.

SEPs can vary, so it’s best to speak with a local agent. Our team in Port St. Lucie, right near Lakeview Hills, helps clients understand what applies in their situation.

What Does Signing Up Entitle You To?

When you sign up during the Medicare initial enrollment period, you’re getting access to:

• Hospital insurance (Part A)
• Medical insurance (Part B)
• Optional drug coverage (Part D)
• The most popular option to choose is a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)

We help clients in neighborhoods like Century Village East in Deerfield and around Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie compare plan options and provider networks.

“This isn’t just a checkbox decision,” says Stacy Murphy. “The right plan depends on where you live, your health status, your doctors, and your prescriptions.”

How Our Local Experts Can Help You Enroll