Medicare General Enrollment Period; 2023 Changes Benefit Seniors

Starting January 1, 2023, several changes in Medicare enrollment can benefit seniors. One change impacts the Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP). GEP runs between January 1 and March 31.

The Medicare General Enrollment Period is the time during which people who are eligible for Medicare Parts A and/or B but did not sign-up so when first eligible have another opportunity to do so.

The following are common reasons people give for not signing up for Medicare at age 65.

• They are still working.
• Coverage through an employer is offered.
• They are not yet on Social Security.
• Other benefits may be available (e.g. veteran’s)
• Forgetfulness

One of the new changes will benefit those who do not sign-up for Medicare at age 65. The changes were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA). On October 22, 2022 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule on these changes.

GEP Policy Prior to January 1, 2023

If an individual missed their Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare at age 65, they could enroll during the General Enrollment Period. As stated above, this runs from January 1 to March 31^st.

Individuals who enrolled during the General Enrollment Period had their Medicare coverage begin on July 1. This resulted in up to a six-month gap between Medicare enrollment and the start of coverage.

For example. John did not sign up for Medicare when he turned 65. He was now 68 and signed up for Medicare when GEP started, the first week of January 2022. His Medicare coverage would have started on July 1. That left John without Medicare coverage for six months.

Medicare General Enrollment Period: New Policy Benefits Seniors

Starting in 2023, individuals who sign up for Medicare at any point during the General Enrollment Period will be covered under Medicare on the first day of the month after they sign up.

For example, Jesse’s 65^th birthday was November 28, 2021. But Jesse missed the opportunity (or decided not to) to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B.

If Jesse signs up during January 2023, his coverage will begin the following month, on February 1, 2023. No more long gap in coverage.

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Do You Have To Sign Up For Medicare At 65?

No. There are a number of common reasons people have for not signing up for Medicare when they turn 65.

The most common is because they are still working. Working individuals are often covered under their employer’s health insurance plan. Working individuals also are unlikely to be collecting Social Security retirement benefits.

Some people who are still working sign up for Medicare anyway. That’s because Medicare can work as extra insurance in combination with an employer group health insurance plan.

In addition, some people may decide that Medicare is more affordable than their employer’s insurance, so they may continue working but disenroll from their group plan and enroll in Medicare instead.

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