Applying for Medicare is a process that we can help make as easy as possible. Let’s find out if you’re eligible for and can enroll in Medicare in 2022.
Your Age and Eligibility
Anyone turning 65 in 2022 is eligible for Medicare. Age is actually the primary way people qualify for Medicare. There’s another way, but we’ll cover that in the next section.
Three months before your 65th birthday, you can start the Medicare enrollment process. At that point, you are eligible for Medicare and will be for the rest of your life. However, you have the three months before, the month of, and three months after your 65th birthday to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
However, even if your 65th birthday isn’t this year, you can still enroll if you’re 65 or older. If you’ve passed your IEP, two things could happen—you can enroll during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) once you’ve retired and your health insurance through your employer ends. If you aren’t working, you can enroll through the General Enrollment Period (GEP) and pay a late enrollment penalty. It’s not ideal to pay the penalty as it’s generally permanent, but you are still eligible and can still enroll.
What if you’re 65 and not ready to retire? What about your employee insurance? You can actually have both Medicare and employee coverage at the same time, but you don’t have to. If you’re working and choose to delay your enrollment, you won’t face late enrollment penalties. If you retire and don’t yet have Medicare, you’ll have six months to enroll before late fees start accruing.
Eligibility and Disabilities
If you’re under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare in 2022 if you have a disability. If you cannot work but have earned at least 24 months of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you qualify for Medicare. If 2022 is the year you hit 24 months, it’s your turn to enroll.
Eligibility and Other Changes for 2022
The other question is, what’s changing for Medicare in 2022? As far as eligibility goes, nothing. However, there have been changes to costs and coverage (which change each year).
Helping You Every Step of the Way—Call Peritia Advisors
With our help, you can get on the right track toward Medicare enrollment. To learn more, call Peritia Advisors at 319-200-5050. We’ll walk you through the entire process to make it as easy as possible for you.
