It's never good to be late

I am one of those people who like to be early to an event. "If you are on time, you are late," my Grandma Grace used to say. I did not really understand that growing up, but now I understand the need to do things a little early or on time.

The initial enrollment period for those aging into Medicare is three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after you turn 65. So, it's seven months total. If you are already drawing a Social Security check, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and will receive your card about three months before you are eligible. If you need to sign up, you can sign up in several ways:

• Go to the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov and apply online.
• Call your local Social Security office or the national Social Security number at (800) 772-1213.
• If you are a railroad retiree, call the Railroad Retirement Board at (877) 772-5772.
• Or call Aging Matters at (800) 392-8771.

If you delay signing up for Medicare, there could be penalties. If you have worked 10 years in a job and paid Medicare taxes, you will not have a Medicare Part A premium. But if you worked less than 10 years, you could have a premium for Medicare Part A. The premium amount is based on how many years you did work. For those who have to pay a Part A premium and do not sign up for Medicare when they are first eligible, they could have to pay a late enrollment penalty. The penalty is 10% for twice the number of years you did not sign up. Example: If you went two years without signing up, the penalty would last for four years.

The Medicare Part B penalty is 10% of the monthly premium for every year you did not sign up, and this penalty can last forever. If you are working and have coverage in an employee group health plan (or your spouse is working and the employee group health plan covers you), you can defer Medicare Part B with no penalty.

Medicare prescription drug plans known as Part D can also have a penalty if you choose not to enroll when you are first eligible. If you have creditable coverage, then you can delay your enrollment without penalty. If you do not have creditable coverage, the penalty for Part D is 1% of the national base premium amount for every month you were eligible and did not enroll. Therefore, if you wait three years, the penalty would be 3% and you pay that every month.

Knowing when to enroll in Medicare, or when it is best to defer enrollment, can be complex and confusing. It is best to reach out to someone if you have questions or need guidance. Acting on time and being prepared for Medicare is the key. So, don't be late for a very important date. Get your Medicare done on time.

If you have questions, please contact Aging Matters at (800) 392-8771 because aging matters.

JACKIE DOVER is the public information director of Aging Matters. Also known as Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging, it is a not-for-profit organization serving an 18-county area in Southeast Missouri, with the regional office in Cape Girardeau.