Christine's Corner: At 65 You Qualify
Christine Thompson, Medicare Counselor
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B helps pay for your basic medical care outside of inpatient and hospital care. It covers 80% of everyday medical expenses such as doctor visits, durable medical equipment (ex. walkers & canes), lab work, preventive services (ex. mammograms & vaccines), physical therapy, and specialist referrals. According to Medicare.gov, Part B works with Part A to form “Original Medicare,” which helps reduce your out‑of‑pocket cost for routine and ongoing care.
How and When to Enroll
You enroll in Medicare Part B through the Social Security Administration. You can sign up during:
- Initial Enrollment Period – when you turn 65
- Open Enrollment – October 15 to December 7
- Special Enrollment Period – if you qualify due to life changes, such as losing employer coverage
Delaying Part B Enrollment
If you are still working at 65 and have credible employer coverage (from an employer with 20+ employees), you may delay Part B without penalty. Once that coverage ends, you have 8 months to enroll without a late fee. You will need to submit a CMS‑L564 form to prove you had credible coverage.
If you delay enrollment without credible coverage, Medicare.gov states you may pay a 10% penalty for every 12 months you wait, and this penalty lasts as long as you have Part B. If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you are automatically enrolled, but you can choose to opt out.
What Part B Costs
For 2026, the standard monthly premium is $202.90, and the annual deductible is $283.00. Once you have paid your annual deductible, Medicare covers the cost for most services for the rest of the year.
Understanding when to enroll and what you will pay can help you avoid penalties and keep your healthcare costs manageable as you plan for the years ahead.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact SIH Second Act Medicare Counselor, Christine Thompson at christine.thompson@sih.net or call 618.457.5200 ext. 67856.