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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Billy G.
I turn 65 in May and enrolled in Part A in March. I retire from a public school where I receive health benefits effective July 1. My health benefits will continue through the end of july. To enroll in state of New Jersey health plan for retirees, I must have parts A and B. But I don’t want to enroll in B until I have to.
Is there a way for me to designate august 1 as my start date for part B but apply in May? I must demonstrate to the state that I have both A and B. A local SSA rep told me that wasn’t possible and I should apply for part B at the beginning of July for it to start august 1. But that is after I retire.
Steve L.
I am 65, work for General Motors and contribute to my HSA through payroll deductions. I accepted the buyout offered in March and so will be leaving GM June 30th. Looking at applying for Medicare, I was surprised by the 6 month retroactive coverage of Part A, which effectively makes my HSA contributions ineligible. Any way to decline this retroactive coverage, which I believe was designed as a benefit, but for me is a penalty?
Note I have not applied for Medicare as of yet.
A.C.
Hi, Steve. Thanks for visiting our blog. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. 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.
John K.
I am a 65 year old public school teacher. I currently have Medicare Part A. The benefits enrollment period for my district ends at the beginning of September.
Am I able to enroll in Medicare Part B in September if I refuse my employer’s health care plan, or do I have to wait until open enrollment period for Medicare?
I would like to enroll in Medicare Part B in place of the insurance offered by my employer.
Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, John. Thanks for your question. If you are covered under a group health plan based on your current employment, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will let you sign up for Medicare Part B. You have an 8-month SEP to sign up for Part A and/or Part B that starts at one of these times (whichever happens first):
• The month after the employment ends
• The month after group health plan insurance based on current employment ends. Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a SEP.
You should always check with your health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for you. To learn more about the Medicare enrollment periods, please visit http://www.medicare.gov. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 if you need further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Linda
Is their still a assets limit for 80′ + to apply for Medical,Medicare ?
Thank you in advance.
A.C.
Hi, Linda. It sounds like you are referring to Medicaid. To apply for Medicaid or to request more information about Medicaid, you will need to call your state medical assistance office. To get the local phone number, call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). We hope this works.
Ronald W.
This is very confusing…… Why? I am applying for Part B and I will continue to work….. I have my own company with Group Insurance but yet I am told that without applying for Part B I will be penalized?
Douglas
These questions and answers are a very important learning tool even when they don’t specifically apply to your situation. The language(jargon) of Social Security and Medicare benefits is important to become familiar with in case you, a loved one or a friend has an issue with these services.
Charles A.
I filled out my Part B application and I have not received it yet or any notification that I filled it out correctly.
A.C.
Hi, Charles. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to work with your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Tim
I enrolled in February 2023. I turned 65 in March. When I received my bill yesterday I am being charged for 5 months (Mar-Jul). If Medicare is billed quarterly, why am being charged for 5 months? I can see paying for March, and then for the next 3 months.
A.C.
Hi, Tim. Thanks for visiting our blog. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For specific Medicare billing questions, please call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). We hope this helps.
Vicki C.
I was told by a couple of people that used to be insurance agents that I didn’t need to do anything when I turned 65, that I would automatically receive my medicare card because I’m still working and have insurance. I did not receive a card. What do I need to do to get a card?
A.C.
Hi, Vicki. Thanks for your question. Individuals receiving Social Security retirement benefits, will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B) at age 65. However, a beneficiary may refuse Medicare Part B, during his or her Initial Enrollment Period, if that beneficiary or the spouse, actively works and has coverage under a group health plan, based on that employment, then he or she doesn’t need Medicare part B until the work activity ends or that health care coverage is dropped. We always suggest that individuals speak to their personnel office, health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for them, and to prevent any penalties or delayed enrollment in the future. Please contact your local Social Security office for further assistance or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Tony
I was told by a SSA rep. That I could go online to fill out a CMS1763 form. Disenrollment from Part B. Now I have read that is not possible. Why would your representatives make that statement. Then to find out you can’t get that form online. When I filled out the application for Medicare. I I answered the question on being employed and having current Health Ins. I was enrolled with part B starting this month. I applied on 3/23/2023 approved the 24th. Now I’m told to file a form for disenrollment of part B. Also been told that I will have to pay for April. Even though I don’t need Part B. I’m not understanding why this took place.
A.C.
Hi, Tony. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. 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.