• Tel (781) 344-2886
  • Email info@brc-law.com

Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins

Barry Crimmins

  • Practice Areas
  • Firm Overview
    • News
  • Current Projects
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Stoughton, MA
    • Hyannis, MA
    • Falmouth, MA
Slide background
Legal Expertise, Personally.
Attorney Barry R. Crimmins is someone that you can depend on personally.
We take a small town approach to our client relationships and carry that personal
commitment into all of our cases.
Slide background
Life Happens. We Help You Plan For It.
The many stages of life present a variety of legal implications. Guidance on
Estate Planning and Administration, Medicaid and Elder Law issues are our focus.
Slide background
Real Estate Transactions, Permitting and
Development.
Whether commercial or residential, we have extensive experience in all aspects
of real estate law.

New Rule Aids Seniors Who Are First-Time Medicare Enrollees

November 17, 2022 By Barry Crimmins

Closeup of hand holding printed Medicare enrollment form on clipboard.A new rule going into effect January 1, 2023, is setting seniors up with improved access to health care coverage.

Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins as you approach your 65th birthday. For the three months leading up to that milestone birthday, during the actual month of your 65th birthday, as well as for the three months after you turn 65, you can sign up for Medicare.

In the past, if you waited until the last three months of your IEP to enroll in Medicare, you would have to wait another two or three months before your coverage began. Due to new rules, this will, fortunately, be changing for the better.

Starting January 1, 2023, if you enroll in Medicare during the last three months of your IEP, your Medicare Part B coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you signed up. You will not have to wait several months to receive benefits.

But what happens if you miss your IEP altogether?

If You Miss Your Initial Enrollment Period

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you then must wait until Medicare’s General Enrollment Period (GEP) or a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll.

The GEP runs annually, from January 1 to March 31. During this time, you can sign up for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or both forms of coverage.

Certain individuals are permitted to sign up for traditional Medicare during an SEP, which is a limited-time opportunity that takes place outside of the usual enrollment periods.

Traditionally, there have been a couple of downsides to missing out on your IEP:

1. In the past, if you waited until the GEP to sign up for Medicare, you would have several months during which you would be without coverage. That’s because coverage for those who sign up for Medicare during the GEP do not kick in until July 1 of that year.

2. In addition, if you did not enroll in Medicare until the GEP, you could face a late enrollment penalty.

This, too, will change for the better in 2023.

Enrolling in Medicare After Your IEP Under the New Rule

Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, if you sign up for Medicare during the GEP, you will not have to wait until July 1 for your benefits to begin. Your coverage will start the first day of the month after you enroll.

In addition, individuals who missed their IEP for certain reasons will now be able to sign up for Medicare Part B without incurring a late enrollment penalty fee. The new rule is creating SEPs for people who faced specific ‘exceptional’ conditions.

As of next year, you will not face a late enrollment penalty if you missed your IEP for one of the following reasons:

  • You were affected by a disaster or government-declared emergency
  • Your employer or health plan misrepresented information related to your timely enrollment in Medicare
  • You were incarcerated
  • You lost your Medicaid eligibility after January 1, 2023

Note that signing up for Medicare during your IEP is not ideal for everyone’s situation — for example, if you are turning 65 years old and are still working at a job with health insurance. Learn more on Medicare.gov about special situations like this.

Get further details on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.

Filed Under: blogs

Contact Us Today

  • We are happy to discuss any legal concerns with you.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Communication of information through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Recent Posts

march newsletter

Elder Law News, March 2023

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

BRC Newsletter March

Elder Law News, September 2022

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

august newsletter

Elder Law News, August 2022

With healthcare and nursing homes being a hot topic as of late, you may have some questions regarding your care or the care of a loved one. If so…

Elder Law News - May 2022 Thumbnail

Elder Law News, May 2022

With healthcare and nursing homes being a hot topic as of late, you may have some questions regarding your care or the care of a loved one. If so…

Elder Law NEWS - April 2022

Elder Law News, April 2022

In 2022, change remains constant. But, as it applies to eldercare, some shifts are favorable, while others could directly impact the financial stability and level of care your loved one receives. 

Our expertise includes Real Estate Law and Land Use Permitting, Estate Planning and Estate Administration, with an emphasis on Elder Law and Medicaid Planning.
Practice Areas
We've developed a reputation for excellent service in these areas of the law through more than 35 years of experience.
Our Attorneys
The legal services from the Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, P.C. in Stoughton, Falmouth and Hyannis Massachusetts
Our Locations

Recent News

Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, PC

march newsletter

Elder Law News, March 2023

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

BRC Newsletter March

Elder Law News, September 2022

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

august newsletter

Elder Law News, August 2022

With healthcare and nursing homes being a hot topic as of late, you may have some questions regarding your care or the care of a loved one. If so…

Elder Law News - May 2022 Thumbnail

Elder Law News, May 2022

With healthcare and nursing homes being a hot topic as of late, you may have some questions regarding your care or the care of a loved one. If so…

Elder Law NEWS - April 2022

Elder Law News, April 2022

In 2022, change remains constant. But, as it applies to eldercare, some shifts are favorable, while others could directly impact the financial stability and level of care your loved one receives. 

Links

  • Home
  • News
  • Site map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Contact Us

  • 909 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
  • 1436 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • 20 Academy Lane, Falmouth, MA 02540
  • Phone: (781) 344-2886
  • Email: info@brc-law.com

Follow Us:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin

Estate Planning

  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Elder Law
  • Medicaid Planning

Real Estate

  • Land Use Permitting
  • Landlord – Tenant
  • Purchase & Sale Agreements
© Copyright 2023 Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, P.C. All rights reserved.
Site Maintained by Interactive Palette