B. Enrollment Periods & Penalties (16–35)
16. What is the Initial Enrollment Period, and when does mine begin and end?
17. My 65th birthday is on [beneficiary's date of birth] — what are the exact start and end dates of my 7-month Initial Enrollment Period?
18. What happens to my coverage start date if I sign up during the first three months versus the last three months of my Initial Enrollment Period?
19. What is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, and what changes can I make during it?
20. What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, and how is it different from the fall Open Enrollment Period?
21. What is the General Enrollment Period, and what happens if I have to use it?
22. I missed my Initial Enrollment Period and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period — what are my options and when can I enroll?
23. What qualifies someone for a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B after turning 65?
24. I have coverage through my [beneficiary's current or former employer/union] group health plan — does that qualify me for a Special Enrollment Period?
25. I am covered under my spouse's employer plan, and my spouse works for a company with [number of employees] employees — when should I sign up for Part B?
26. My employer coverage or COBRA is ending on [date coverage ends] — how long do I have to sign up for Part B without a penalty?
27. Does COBRA coverage qualify me for a Special Enrollment Period when it ends?
28. I recently lost Medicaid coverage — what enrollment rights and penalty protections do I have?
29. I missed my enrollment period because of [beneficiary's specific circumstance, e.g., natural disaster, incarceration, employer error] — can I still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?
30. How is the Part A late enrollment penalty calculated, and how long would I have to pay it?
31. I was eligible for Part A for [number of years/months eligible but not enrolled] but didn't sign up — what would my late enrollment penalty be?
32. How is the Part B late enrollment penalty calculated, and how long would I owe it?
33. I could have had Part B for [number of months without coverage] months but didn't enroll — how much extra would I pay each month?
34. Can I avoid the Part B late enrollment penalty if I qualify for a Medicare Savings Program?
35. When can I join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the year?
Source: "Medicare & You 2027," the official U.S. government Medicare handbook (CMS), as provided by the user."
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