Last Chance for Marketplace Enrollees Who Need Medicare, Advocates Team Up with Insurers to Urge an Extension

September 30th is the last opportunity to take advantage of a time-limited opportunity allowing people who were or are currently enrolled in the Marketplaces to enroll in Medicare Part B and have their late enrollment penalties waived.

Announced earlier this year by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this opportunity provides welcome relief to Marketplace enrollees who mistakenly delayed or declined Medicare Part B enrollment. The relief may include retroactive or immediate Medicare Part B enrollment and a reduction in or elimination of Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties. People who were or are enrolled in Marketplace coverage and who are entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A can apply for this relief through the end of this month.

This week, the Medicare Rights Center teamed up with more than 40 health insurers and advocates on a letter to CMS urging an extension of time-limited equitable relief deadline. The signed organizations expressed concerns about delays stemming from a lack of awareness of the process, certain populations being notified about the relief opportunity only recently, and upcoming segments of people who may need this respite in 2018.

For more information on time-limited equitable relief and how to apply:

• Visit Medicare Interactive, the Medicare Rights’ free online counseling tool
• Read the Fact Sheet made available by CMS
• Call the Medicare Rights’ free national helpline at 1-800-333-4114
• Find your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-877-839-2675 or by going to www.shiptacenter.org
• Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, or go to socialsecurity.gov, or visit your local Social Security office