When you turned 65 did you stay on an individual qualified health plan such as one from Covered California, instead of enrolling in Medicare?  Do you know someone who did?  Do you have a Part B late enrollment penalty?

If so, you need to act quickly to possibly avoid or reverse those penalties.

This is a very complicated subject, but it appears to apply only to someone who enrolled in Medicare Part A but not Part B, then stayed on an Individual Marketplace plan (such as from Covered California) past age 65 or Medicare eligibility date (if earlier).

Covered California (aka Marketplace plans) and their subsidies were designed for those not eligible for Medicare.  Please note:  It is possible that if you proceed with this program you may have to pay back all or some of the subsidies you received.

Apparently, some plans allowed people to have their plan and to continue receiving subsidies past age 65.  And those people who never enrolled in Part B, or enrolled late and are now saddled with a permanent Part B late enrollment penalty.

The problem is that when that person eventually enrolls in Medicare Part B they will be subject to a 10% late penalty for each year they should have been enrolled.  Additionally, they must wait for the next General Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31) for a July 1 effective date.

If you delayed enrolling in Part B to stay on a Covered California and are facing a Part B penalty you should investigate this program.

What if you think you need to act?  Gather up your documents.  You will need proof.

Call Social Security (800) 772-1213.  Call Medicare Rights helpline (800) 333-4114.

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Eligibility-and-Enrollment/Medicare-and-the-Marketplace/Downloads/Limited-Equitable-Relief-Fact-Sheet.pdf

If eligible you can enroll in Part B right away or retroactively, without penalty, or have your penalty eliminated or reduced.  Tell them you want help with” time limited equitable relief”.

This information is brought to you as a public service by Paul Davis of Paul Davis and Alberta Bellisario Insurance Services.  CA license 0669770.  818 888 0880.  We are NOT equipped to field questions on this topic.  But, we can help you if you need a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan.