Jane Dotson
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, with certain disabilities or health conditions making them eligible to apply before this age. Enrollment in Hawaii is handled by the Social Security Administration, with applicants able to enroll in-person, through the mail, or online. The enrollment period occurs when an applicant first becomes eligible for Medicare, with a 7-month window to apply. This includes the 3 months before, the month of, and the 3 months after, an applicant's 65th birthday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who handles Medicare enrollment in Hawaii | Social Security Administration |
| Ways to enroll | In-person, through the mail, or online |
| Automatic enrollment | If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits between age 62 and up to 4 months before turning 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65 |
| Initial Enrollment Period | Begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65 |
| General Enrollment Period | Between January 1st and March 31st each year with a plan effective date of July 1st |
| Late enrollment penalty | If you don't sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty |
| Contact | Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov |
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What You'll Learn
Enrollment methods
In Hawaii, Medicare enrollment is handled by the Social Security Administration. There are several ways to enroll in Medicare:
Online
The Social Security Administration recommends enrolling online as it is the "easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help". To enroll online, you will need to create a secure my Social Security account.
By Phone
You can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 if you or your spouse worked for a railroad.
By Mail
You can enroll in Medicare through the mail.
In-Person
You can also enroll in Medicare in person.
Enrollment Periods
The Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you miss the Initial Enrollment Period, the General Enrollment Period for Medicare Parts A and B occurs between January 1st and March 31st each year with a plan effective date of July 1st.
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Enrollment periods
In Hawaii, Medicare enrollment is handled by the Social Security Administration. You can enroll in person or through the mail. If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits between the age of 62 and up to 4 months before turning 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65. If you apply for Social Security 3 months before you turn 65 or later, you can sign up for Medicare when you apply for Social Security.
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to sign up for Medicare begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65—a total of 7 months. During this period, you can enroll in:
- The three months before the month you turn 65 (coverage begins the first day of the month you turn 65, or the first of the prior month if born on the 1st of the month)
- The month you turn 65 (coverage will be delayed)
- The three months after the month you turn 65 (coverage will be delayed)
If you miss the IEP, the General Enrollment Period for Medicare Parts A and B occurs between January 1st and March 31st each year, with a plan effective date of July 1st. If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible at age 65, you may be assessed a late enrollment penalty of 10% of the premium for each full 12-month period that you could have had Medicare Part B but did not enroll. This penalty will be assessed for as long as you have Medicare Part B.
There is also a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Medicare, which is an 8-month period that begins the month after employment or after employer group coverage ends.
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Medicare Parts A and B
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. In Hawaii, residents can choose between Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A is insurance for hospitalisation, home or skilled nursing, and hospice. Most people have premium-free Part A, but if you have to buy it, the cost can reach up to $506 per month.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is medical insurance. If you are eligible to enrol in Medicare, you should begin the Medicare Part B enrolment process three months before retirement by contacting the Social Security Administration. Part B costs $164.90 per month but can be more if you have a higher income.
If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65. If you are not collecting Social Security, you must complete the necessary forms to enrol in Medicare. If you have Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), you will receive Medicare Parts A and B immediately when you enrol in Social Security disability benefits.
If you are covered under an EUTF or HSTA VB active employee plan, you are not required to enrol in Medicare. However, Medicare enrolment is required for coverage under EUTF and HSTA VB retiree plans. If you are actively employed and covered by another employer's health plan during your retirement, you will still be required to enrol in Medicare Part B to continue coverage under the EUTF or HSTA VB retiree medical and/or prescription drug plans.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage is a substitute for Original Medicare that provides coverage to match Parts A and B, usually bundling Part D and additional benefits. It is a private insurance option that covers hospital and medical costs.
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Eligibility requirements
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).
- If you are 65 or older, you are eligible for Medicare. You can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, or Part A only. You can delay Part B if you are already covered under an employer group health plan.
- If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have a disability. This includes permanent kidney failure, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). If you have ALS, you will receive Medicare Parts A and B immediately when you enroll in Social Security disability benefits.
- If you are under 65 and do not have a disability, you may still be eligible for Medicare if you have ESRD. You can call the Social Security Administration to apply for Medicare with ESRD.
- If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits between the ages of 62 and up to 4 months before turning 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65.
- If you apply for Social Security 3 months before you turn 65 or later, you can sign up for Medicare when you apply for Social Security.
- If you are not ready to receive Social Security benefits at 65 because you are still working, you can apply online for Medicare only.
- If you are already enrolled in an EUTF retiree medical and/or prescription drug plan, you must enroll in Medicare Part B when you become eligible (at age 65) to continue your coverage.
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Medicare is a 7-month period that begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you miss the IEP, you can enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which occurs between January 1st and March 31st each year, with a plan effective date of July 1st. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you enroll outside of the IEP.
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Late enrollment penalties
The Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65 — a total of 7 months. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to pay a penalty. The General Enrollment Period for Medicare Parts A and B occurs between January 1st and March 31st each year, with a plan effective date of July 1st.
If you do not enroll in Medicare Part D when you first become eligible and go 63 or more days in a row without a qualifying, or creditable, prescription drug coverage, you will also have to pay a late enrollment penalty. The Part D late enrollment penalty is calculated by multiplying 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" by the number of full, uncovered months you were eligible for Medicare drug coverage but didn't have it or other creditable prescription drug coverage. The national base beneficiary premium may go up each year, so your penalty amount may also increase annually.
To enroll in Medicare Part B, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit their website at www.ssa.gov.
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Frequently asked questions
Applying online at Social Security is the fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need.
You can apply for Medicare in Hawaii online, by mail, or in person.
The Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. You may have to pay a penalty if you miss your Initial Enrollment Period.
Medicare Part A is insurance for hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice. You get Part A automatically once you start receiving benefits. Medicare Part B is medical insurance, and you need to sign up for it.
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