Definition. The yearly window, January 1 to March 31, to enroll in Medicare Part B, or Part A if you must buy it, when you didn't sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period and have no special enrollment period.
What it means
Since 2023, coverage starts the month after you sign up during the GEP: sign up in February and Part B starts March 1. Before 2023 people waited until July.
If you go 12 months or more without Part B when you could have had it, and you didn't have group coverage from current work, your Part B premium goes up 10% for each full 12-month period, for as long as you have Part B. Once you have Part A and Part B, you can join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan during the times Medicare allows; Medicare.gov lists them. The GEP is different from the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs at the same time of year but is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — When can I sign up for Medicare?
- Medicare.gov — When does Medicare coverage start?
- Medicare.gov — Avoid late enrollment penalties
Frequently asked questions
Is there a penalty if I enroll during the GEP?
Often yes. If you waited 12 months or more without group coverage from current work, your Part B premium goes up 10% for each full 12 months you could have had Part B, for as long as you have it.
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