I recently received a call from a gentleman asking me that question. Both he and his wife are over 65 but were only on Part A with Medicare. Because of their loss of employer coverage, they are eligible for a special election onto Part B with Medicare.
There were on a PPO and would like the same coverage. Unfortunately, their medical coverage ended in June and they had declined Cobra. Their Medicare Part B is effective 7/1/13, but we are not able to post-date an enrollment onto either a drug plan or a Medicare supplement so we will be looking at a Medicare supplement carrier that will accept a 7/15 enrollment date. No drug plans accept a mid month enrollment, so the earliest this couple can obtain drug benefits is 8/1.
In an ideal situation, contacting an insurance agent asap is beneficial to the individual who may be eligible for Medicare benefits. The agent can review the individual’s options and guide them regarding selection of replacement coverage that will fit their needs, while also focusing on continued medical and drug coverage instead of the break in service that this couple is experiencing.