Anthony Boniface turned 65 in 2023. He was not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits on his 65th birthday. He was interested in obtaining Medicare coverage and is eligible for premium-free Part A. Before he could enroll in Medicare, his entire area was impacted by a hurricane causing massive flooding and severe wind damage. The Federal government declared this to be a natural disaster which has recently ended. During this period Anthony’s initial enrollment period expired. Anthony asks you how he can now obtain Medicare coverage. What should you say?
a. Anthony must wait until the next General Enrollment Period (GEP) which runs from January 1 through March 31.
b. Anthony is eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP) because he missed an enrollment period due to the impact of the Federally declared disaster. This SEP will allow Anthony to enroll in Part B up to six months after the end of the emergency declaration. Anthony may enroll in premium-free Part A at any time and his Part A coverage will be retroactive for up to 6 months.
c. Anthony will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A within one month from the date the Federal government declared the disaster ended. If he wishes Part B coverage he must wait until the next General Enrollment Period.
d. Anthony will have a special enrollment period (SEP) of 3 months beginning after the end of the emergency declaration, but he will be subject to a late enrollment penalty if he chooses Part B coverage.
b. Anthony is eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP) because he missed an enrollment period due to the impact of the Federally declared disaster. This SEP will allow Anthony to enroll in Part B up to six months after the end of the emergency declaration. Anthony may enroll in premium-free Part A at any time, and his Part A coverage will be retroactive for up to 6 months.
Due to the natural disaster and the subsequent emergency declaration, Anthony qualifies for a special enrollment period, which provides him with additional time to enroll in Medicare Part B without facing a late enrollment penalty. He can enroll in Part B up to six months after the declared disaster ended. Furthermore, he can enroll in premium-free Medicare Part A at any time, and the coverage can be retroactive for up to 6 months, depending on when he applies for it.
This special enrollment period is designed to accommodate individuals who were unable to enroll in Medicare during their initial enrollment period due to exceptional circumstances like natural disasters.
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