Medicare

New Start Dates for Medicare Part B Coverage Coming in 2023

November 17, 2022 • By

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Last Updated: November 17, 2022

woman checking Medicare information on a tabletChanges are coming next year for Medicare Part B coverage.

What is not changing:
If you are eligible at age 65, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP):

  • Begins three months before your 65th birthday.
  • Includes the month of your 65th birthday.
  • Ends three months after your 65th birthday.

If you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B or if you sign up during the first three months of your IEP, your coverage will start the month you’re first eligible. If you sign up the month you turn 65, your coverage will start the first day of the following month. This won’t change with the new rule.

What is changing:

Starting January 1, 2023, your Medicare Part B coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up, if you sign up during the last three months of your IEP.

Before this change, if you signed up during the last three months of your IEP, your Medicare Part B coverage started two to three months after you enrolled.

If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B during your IEP, you have another chance each year during the General Enrollment Period (GEP). The GEP lasts from January 1 through March 31. Starting January 1, 2023, your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up.

You can learn more about these updates on our Medicare webpage and our Medicare publication.

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About the Author

Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Comments

  1. Ivette C.

    This is all confusing. My mom turned 65 on March 30 and was automatically enrolled in Medicare. That has screwed things for her. She is a cancer patient who had insurance, had surgery on March 21st (still 64 at the time of surgery) insurance paid and now almost a year later has ask doctor for money back leaving us with a 45000 surgery, 52000 in treatments that happened in April. She gets 800 dollars a month and now had this huge debit all because of these confusing rules. By the way the letter states Medicare would start in March. Does not say March 1st so we thought it would start March 30th the day of her birthday. Now Medicare doesn’t want to pay.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Ivette. We are sorry to hear about your mother’s condition and situation. Unfortunately, her situation is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. She may wish to contact her local Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Program Coordinator) to discuss her options. We hope this helps.

  2. Marsha

    I plan to retire on my 66th birthday in March . I already have Medicare Part A that I enrolled in at 65. When do I need to enroll in my Part B and D plans for social security retirement ? I have had insurance coverage through work as I am currently still working .
    Thanks, Marsha

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Marsha. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and you want to sign up for Part B, please complete form CMS-40B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare – Part B (medical insurance). If you are applying for Medicare Part B due to a loss of employment or group health coverage, you will also need to complete form CMS-L564, Request for Employment Information. For information and how to submit your application, please visit our Medicare Benefits page. We hope this helps. 

  3. Shlomo F.

    I am transitioning from my residence in Brooklyn, NY to a retirement community in NJ. Can I enroll using my residence in NJ

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Shlomo. Thanks for visiting our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps. 

  4. Faye B.

    I am 66 and have just retired as of Nov 1, 2022. Up until then I had been employed and covered by a Group Health Plan. My GHP coverage is effective until 11/30/22. On Nov 1st I submitted my Medicare Part A and Part B application, requesting that the start date be Dec 1, 2022. My application was processed with Part A start date 4/1/22 and Part B start date 2/1/23. Both are wrong!! Part A doesn’t matter, but Part B sure does. What was the mistake here?? Can I get this changed – I need Part B to begin 12/1/22! Thanks for your help!

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Faye. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific concerns. Please contact your local Social Security office. We hope this is resolved soon. 

  5. Willie M.

    I can’t get Food stamps because they stated that my Social Security Income is too High but I’ve got monthly bills that takes my monthly bills and I don’t have any money to buy food. I need help to buy food. I have no extra money. And I still need OTC Medication that I have to purchase!
    So how can I get help!!!

    • Gabriela

      Hello, Willie M,
      I have some knowledge about the food stamp program in CA. I worked for many years processing applications. Retired two months ago. I may be able to give you some guidance. It depends on how much your income is over the limit. Are you paying for Medicare part B?
      Are you 60 years old or older?
      Your household (number of people in the home purchasing and preparing food together), are you spending more than $35 a month in out-of-pocket medical expenses?

    • MajJohn

      SSA can’t answer food stamp questions. Contact your local county public assistance office.

  6. Debra M.

    I am all ready enrolled in Part B I turn 65 in June do I need to do anything in March.begore I turn 65.

    • Gabriela

      Hi, Debra,
      If you are paying for Medicare part B, you may qualify for help from the Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI-1)
      That would pay the part B premiums for you, currently $170.10 a month.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Debra. Thanks for your question. If you are already entitled to Medicare, typically no further action is needed. However, for your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  7. Alex H.

    Thank you for the update, I’ll pass this on to my collogues at Dissertation Writer Online

  8. Becca

    Before the 1st of January 2023, can I sign up for Medigap to start the day of my 65th birthday? (Jan. 26) or do I have have it start Jan 1 or Feb 1?

  9. Jackie T.

    Why do you penalize who did not sign up $10.00 per month for the rest of their life?

  10. Mary W.

    I want to see if I am reading the changes right. I will be 65 in August, 2023. I am receiving social security now. I can sign up for Medicare 3 months before I turn 65, or May, 2023. Based on the new changes, If I sign up in May will Medicare coverage start in May, or does it start in August when I turn 65? Also when will I be automatically be enrolled in Medicare since I am receiving Social Security benefits now? Can I go in and sign up for Medicare in May or do I have to wait to be signed up automatically? Thank you

    • Liz

      Starting January 1, 2023, your Medicare Part B coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up, if you sign up during the last three months of your IEP.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mary. Thanks for visiting our blog. Individuals receiving Social Security retirement benefits, will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B) at age 65. If you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B or if you sign up during the first three months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage will start the month you’re first eligible which is age 65. For additional specific questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

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