- If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when first eligible you may sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1 through March 31st each year. Your coverage will begin on July 1st and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for life.
- If you are under age 65 and disabled, you will automatically get Medicare Part B after receiving disability benefits for 24 months. If you have ALS disease, you automatically get Medicare Part B the month your disability begins.
- If you have Medicare because of ESRD, you can sign up for Medicare Part B when you sign up for Medicare Part A. If you delay you will be subject to late enrollment provisions.
- If you aren’t eligible for premium free Medicare Part A you may be able to buy it. If you don’t buy it when first eligible your monthly premium will be 10% higher for twice the amount of years that you should have been enrolled but didn’t.