Under the new law, starting in January 2023, when you enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period or you enroll during the General Enrollment Period, your Medicare coverage will begin the month after you enroll.
Initial Enrollment Period
When you turn 65 you become eligible for Medicare. This is called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.
Current Law
| If you enroll: |
Coverage starts: |
| Before the month you turn 65 |
The month you turn 65 |
| The month you turn 65 |
The next month |
| 1 month after you turn 65 |
2 months after you enroll |
| 2 or 3 months after you turn 65 |
3 months after you enroll |
New Law
| If you enroll: |
Coverage starts: |
| Before the month you turn 65 |
The month you turn 65 |
| The month you turn 65 |
The next month |
| 1 month after you turn 65 |
The next month |
| 2 or 3 months after you turn 65 |
The next month after you enroll |
If you turn 65 in October 2022 or November 2022 you could be subject to the current IEP rule and the new rules taking effect in January 2023. If an individual turns 65 in October 2022, their IEP would be July 2022 thru January 2023.
| If you enroll: |
Coverage starts: |
| In July, August or September 2022 |
October 1, 2022 |
| In October 2022 |
November 1, 2022 |
| November 2022 |
January 1, 2023 |
| December 2022 |
February 1, 2023 |
| January 2023 |
March 1, 2023 |
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
Beginning January 1, 2023 if you sign up for Part B coverage during the GEP, January 1 through March 31, your coverage will become effective the first day of the month after you enroll.
| If you enroll: |
Part B coverage starts: |
| In January 2023 |
February 1, 2023 |
| In February 2023 |
March 1, 2023 |
| In March 2023 |
April 1, 2023 |