Learn when & how to get started with Medicare in Florida
Turning 65 and not sure where to begin in your Medicare journey? Find out when and how to apply for Medicare with Safe Havens Insurance.
When to sign up for Medicare
For most people, the best time to sign up for Medicare is during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This 7-month period begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after your birth month. So, if you turn 65 on June 30, your IEP begins on March 1 and ends on September 30. The exception is if your birthday falls on the first of the month. In this situation, your 7-month period starts earlier. It starts 4 months before you turn 65 and ends 2 months after the month you turn 65. For example, if your birthday falls on June 1st, your Initial Enrollment Period is February-August.
Important to note, not everyone needs to sign up for Part B. If you receive Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at least four months before you turn 65, you do NOT need to sign up for Part B. Part A and Part B will come automatically and start the first day of the month you turn 65.
For others, particularly those who are covered under a credible group health plan, they may wish to delay their Part B and enroll at a later time.
enroll in medicare
Sign up for Medicare during your Initial Election Period (IEP)
Apply Online for Medicare Part B During a Special Enrollment Period
When signing up for Part B during a Special enrollment period (SEP), you must submit documentation verifying your Group Health Plan (GHP) coverage through you or your spouse’s current employer. Click here to retrieve the Request for Employment Information form needed. This form, once completed, MUST be uploaded along with your Part B application.
Missing Your Initial Enrollment Period
So, what happens if you miss the deadline to enroll? If you don’t sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period AND do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you have to wait until the General Enrollment Period (GEP). The GEP runs from January 1 through March 31 annually. During this time, you may sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B). You then have from April 1 through June 30 to sign up for a Medicare Advantage (MA) or prescription drug plan (PDP). Your coverage starts the month after you sign up and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. A late enrollment penalty is an amount you pay to Medicare, in addition to your regular monthly premiums for Part B & D.
Late enrollment penalties
The longer you wait to enroll in Part B, the higher the penalty. For each 12-month period you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B, you pay a 10% Part B premium penalty, unless you qualify for an SEP. The penalty is added to your monthly Part B premium & remains in place as long as you have part B. If you are enrolled in Medicare because of a disability and currently pay a penalty, once you turn 65 you will no longer have to pay the premium penalty.
Likewise, if you go 63 consecutive days without creditable prescription drug coverage, you will likely incur a Part D late penalty on top of your Part B penalty. The Part D late enrollment penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for every month you went without credible drug coverage.
Calculating Late Enrollment penalty’s
To calculate your Part B penalty, let’s say you delayed enrollment in Part B for three years (and you did not have employer insurance or another SEP), your monthly premium would be 30% higher for as long as you have Medicare (3 years x 10%). Since the base Part B premium in 2025 is $185.00, your monthly penalty will be $55.50. This amount needs to be added on top of your base Part B premium and will change every year that the Part B premium changes.
To calculate your Part D penalty, multiply the national base beneficiary premium ($36.78 in 2025) by 1%, multiplied by the number of months you went without prescription drug coverage. Round to the nearest dime. If you went 36 months without coverage, your calculation would look like this:
($36.78 X 0.36)=13.24
The amount changes annually as the national base beneficiary premium changes and must also be added to your monthly Part D premium, if any. .
Special Election Periods (SEP’s) to enroll in medicare
Failing to sign up for Part B & Part D when first eligible has consequences. Not only do you risk going months without coverage, but you may face late enrollment penalties if you do not qualify for a special enrollment period, or SEP. So, what exactly is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP?
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) are periods of time outside normal enrollment periods when you can enroll in Medicare. For example, one is the Part B SEP, which allows you to enroll in Part B without penalty while you have job-based insurance through you or your spouse’s employer. Other situations include loss of Medicaid, natural disasters & other exceptional scenarios.
Find a medicare plan
Once you have applied for Medicare, it’s time to explore all the plans available to you. Our easy-to-use plan comparison tool makes finding and enrolling in a Medicare plan in your area simple. To get started, just enter your zip code under Find a Plan, and you will be able to review, compare, and enroll in Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Supplement Plans in your area. The tool allows you to input your doctors and medications to find a plan that best suits your needs. If you prefer to speak with a licensed agent over the phone, call 813.280.9560.
