There is a seven month enrollment period, including three months prior to your 65th birthday birth month, the birth month itself, and three months following it, for your Medicare enrollment.

• *Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the period before your birth month, your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month in most cases. Those whose birthdays are on the first day of a month could start a month ahead of the birth month. If you enroll in Part A and/or Part B during your birth month or the period after it, the start date for your Medicare coverage will be delayed.

Each year, Medicare Open Enrollment is open from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

Special Enrollment Period

Some seniors may have a chance to sign up for a Medicare plan during a Special Enrollment Period. If you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B when you were first eligible because you’re covered under a group health plan based on current employment (including your own, a spouse’s work, or as a disabled worker, or on a family member’s plan), then you can sign up for Part A and/or Part B:

• Anytime you’re still covered by the group health plan
• During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the coverage ends, whichever happens first

General Enrollment Period

Seniors who did not sign up for Medicare during the seven month window for sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period and who are not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period can sign up between Jan. 1–March 31 each year to start their coverage on July 1.

Here are some more answers to questions you may have regarding your Medicare coverage.

• Medicare Parts A and B are separate from Medicare Advantage, which is also called Part C. Medicare prescription drug coverage is Part D.
• Your out-of-pocket costs in your original Medicare plan will depend on several factors.
• If you have Original Medicare, you’ll get a “Medicare Summary Notice” in the mail every three months that lists all the services billed to Medicare.

AMERICAN INSURANCE has local certified health agents available to meet with you by appointment to discuss Medicare and many other health care options. You can contact us to set up that appointment by calling them at 208-746-9646 or emailing us at American@Am-Ins.com.