New Start Dates for Medicare Part B Coverage Coming in 2023
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: November 17, 2022
Changes 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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Tags: Medicare
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Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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E.
I applied for Medicare part B to begin January 1, 2023. I applied December 1, as I turned 65 mid-December. I also applied for Social Security Benefits to begin January 1, 2023 as well.
My application for both is dated Dec. 1, 2022. I still have not heard anything and my application status is that they have been reviewing “Part 2) Since December 1.
Do I have part B coverage retroactive? I keep calling and checking online and it says it is being reviewed. I need to go to the Doctor but don’t want to go without part B coverage. Will it be retroactive to Jan. 1 as I requested on my application? Please help.
THank you.
A.C.
Hi, E. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue working with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Temple
I Turned 65 and in October 2022 I enrolled in medicare A and B online 12/05/2022 and was give a 10/1/2022 part A start date and a much to my shock 2/1/2023 part B date. I retired from a credible employer plan 12/31/2022. I quickly filled out special enrollment paper work 12/14/22 including Employer verification and submitted to SS. Using SEP as I just retired can I be granted a 1/1/23 part B start date instead of being left without Part B for this month of January?
A.C.
Hi, Temple. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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 is resolved soon.
Daniel R.
I enrolled in Part A&B 3 years after my IEP…I did this BECAUSE I was covered under a large federal B/C policy that I had had for over 30 years – and, I was also covered under my wife’s insurance. I could not afford adding Part B to my monthly insurance costs. SSA, Medicare, has charged me a 30% late enrollment penalty each month since I signed up. This wrong and against SSA law that states if you’re covered under a large group health employer/annuitant policy then you will not be charged a late enrollment penalty. I have appealed in Feb. 2022. SSA states they never received my completed form they mailed me. Well, I sent it, OPM sent it, and B/C sent it. I have called several times…SSA will not tell me why they are not responded to my appeal. Please – there is no COVID excuse here – there is no we’re inundated with customer requests….it has been almost a year now and still no response from SSA. Medicare, btw, says that SSA must respond to my appeal…not them. Please how can I be updated on my appeal? No phones, faxes, and letters are not working.
A.C.
Hi, Daniel. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Michael
Hi, I’m retired under CSRS. I have been hearing lots of confusing information…I have not worked/paid into Social Security to qualify with 40 quarters..I do not plan to work to reach the minimum of 40 quarters in order to draw it at a later date. Do I have to register for Medicare? port’s A & B?
A.C.
Hi, Michael. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are not already getting retirement benefits, you should contact us about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up for Medicare even if you do not plan to retire at age 65. To learn more about Medicare, please visit our Medicare Benefits page. We hope this helps.
REBECCA C.
I want to terminate my enrollment of premium hospital and/or supplementary medical insurance and have filled Form CMS-1763. Where do I sent it and can I email the request form?
A.C.
Hi, Rebecca. Thanks for your question. To terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. Typically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. 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.
Yousef G.
Me and my wife were trying to enrol in the MediCare benefits but were not accepted becasue we do not have Part D. Is there a way to optain Pard D and enrol in the Extra benefits whih usually ( for hearing, dental, sight, and other benefits) advertised once every year, Please.
Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Yousef. Thanks for visiting our blog. Unfortunately, your situation is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. You may wish to contact your local Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Program Coordinator) to discuss your options. We hope this helps.
Dianne g.
New soc security statement does not show Medicare B deduction – why?
A.C.
Hi, Dianne. 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 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.
Monica W.
I just have a question do you have to sign up for Part B?
A.C.
Hi, Monica. Thanks for your question. Medicare Part B is medical insurance that helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that hospital insurance does not cover. Generally, if you or your spouse are still working and are covered under a group health plan based on that employment, you don’t need Medicare part B until you stop working or drop your health care coverage. However, you should speak to your personnel office, health benefits advisor, or health plan to see what’s best for you. To read more about whether you need Medicare Part B, visit our Medicare Benefits page. We hope this helps.
KANAKALATTA Y.
Hello,
Please note that I am US Citizen and local resident of La Mirada, CA USA. I would like to apply for Medicare A& B first time effective June 01,2023.Please provide me appointment for in person application for initial Enrollment Period ) in the office near my residence of the zip code of 90638. Thanks and Regards Kanakalatta Yogesh Parikh
A.C.
Hi, Kanakalatta. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are already getting Social Security retirement benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. To learn more about Medicare and how to apply, please visit our Medicare Benefits page. We hope this helps.
Pat
This whole system needs to be scrapped and start allover ,whats the point in having a phone if no one answer when you call.
Barbara B.
I could not agree more, Pat.
I have spent HOURS listing to the same music on hold that I now hear it in my sleep! Only to get sent into rabbit holes.
I have been to my local SS office and was giving every excuse from, system problems, phone problems, serving millions of people, etc etc etc.
We the tax payers deserve better! Where is the support when you continue to try to get “correct information” and “advise”???
I spent my whole birthday on the phone with SS and finally had to drive down to my local SS office. There is such a back log to process Medicare that it takes weeks to months to receive your Medicare part B number. I cannot proceed with getting an Advantage Plan until that is issued.
Why did the insurance business end up being a part of Medicare??? Why can’t they help speed up or fix the process for me to receive my Medicare number without waiting about a month???
They want our business but don’t advocate for us when it come to SS/Medicare processing our application, so we can start one of their plans.
Something needs to done about the back log and this open enrollment process, and the rules that apply to those of us who’s birthday happens to fall on the 1st day of the month.
Social Security pretty much said, it is what it is, and contact your congressmen’s office, which I just did.
Lets see if they have the ability to change an Medicare, rule that penalizes a person born on the first day of the month, and forces them to have their Medicare start on the 1st day of the prior month, when filing in the month after.
Please consider contacting your congress person.
Thank you for providing the space, for me to express my dissatisfaction, with a system that is supposed to help people when they reach the age that they have to apply for Medicare, or else be fined!