The Process to Enroll in Part B
After You Have Delayed Coverage
Toni:
I am a 67-year-old female whose 62-year-old husband was laid off from his job of 30 years because of low oil prices. We have always been covered under my husband’s group health insurance because it was more cost effective than where I work until last October when my group health plan took over.
My Medicare enrollment concern is that I am 67 years old and now I have to enroll in Medicare Part B because I am retiring in June. I do not know how and am concerned that I will receive the “famous” Part B penalty. Please explain what I need to do.
~ Thanks, Susie from Clear Lake area
Great Question, Susie:
Baby Boomers, whether losing their jobs or simply turning 65, are quite concerned that they will make a serious mistake and receive the Part B penalty because they did not enroll the correct way.
In the Medicare and You handbook, it discusses delaying your Part B if either you or your spouse “is still working”. The handbook does not discuss what happens if your Medicare situation is like yours Susie, who has been on 2 different group health plans after turning 65 or been employed with more than one company with group benefits after turning 65.
Medicare beneficiaries do not realize that one must have a special form signed by those companies HR departments to prove that the employee or both the employee and their covered spouse have been covered with “true” group health insurance.
The process to enroll in Part B after you have delayed has to be done correctly by all employers which you or spouse were covered with group health insurance.
- Call Social Security at 1/800-772-1213 and advise them that you are retiring or leaving that specific company’s health plan and need to enroll in Part B of Medicare because you had delayed it and need a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
- This Special Enrollment Period lasts for 8 months after no longer working where you can enroll without receiving a Part B penalty. After the 8 month period, you will receive a Part B penalty when you and/or your spouse enroll in Part B and this penalty goes all the way back to the day of turning 65.
- Two forms that Social Security will send you should have written in red letters is Special Enrollment Period on the top of the form to inform the Social Security agent that is processing the form that you are signing up at the right time and may keep you from receiving a penalty.
- Form #QMB No0938-0787 known as Request for Employment Information: for proof of group health care coverage based on current employment. This information is needed to process your and/or your spouse’s Medicare enrollment application. If you have had 2 or more jobs since turning 65, then all companies have to sign a form.
- Form HCFA-40B known as Application for Enrollment in Medicare: is filled out by Social Security to say when Part B will begin.
Once your company signs the employment form, take both forms to your local Social Security office for your Medicare to begin.
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Toni King is the author of the new Medicare Survival Guide®, which is on sale here. For consultation in enrolling in Medicare or choosing a Medicare plan that meets your needs, email Toni at Ask Toni or call 832/519-TONI (8664).
