
  GETTING THE PART OF MEDICARE YOU DO NOT HAVE
This section tells you about:
     *    Getting Medical Insurance. 
     *    Getting Hospital Insurance. 
     *    Special Enrollment Period. 

GETTING MEDICARE MEDICAL INSURANCE

     If you have Medicare premium-free hospital insurance but do
not have the medical insurance part of Medicare, you can sign up
for Medicare medical insurance during a general enrollment
period.  A general enrollment period is held January 1 through
March 31 each year.  Your protection will begin July 1 of the
year you enroll.  If you enroll during a general enrollment
period, your monthly premium will be increased by 10 percent for
each 12-month period you could have had Medicare medical
insurance but were not enrolled.  
GETTING MEDICARE HOSPITAL INSURANCE
     Some people 65 or older have Medicare medical insurance, but
do not meet the requirements for premium-free hospital insurance. 
Also, certain disabled people under age 65 will lose premium-
free hospital insurance solely because they are working.  If you
are in either of these categories, you can get hospital insurance
by paying a monthly premium.  The hospital insurance premium is
$175 a month through December 31, 1990.  (This amount will change
January 1, 1991.)
     You can sign up for premium hospital insurance during a
general enrollment period: January 1 through March 31 each year. 
If you enroll during a general enrollment period that begins more
than one year after you became able to buy hospital insurance,
your monthly premium will be 10 percent higher than the basic
premium amount.  Your protection will not begin until July 1 of
the year you enroll.
     For more information about premium amounts, premium
surcharges, and how to get the part of Medicare you do not have,
contact Social Security.
SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD
     If you are covered by an employer health plan related to
current employment, you may be able to delay enrollment in
Medicare's medical insurance (or premium hospital insurance)
without premium penalty and without waiting for a general
enrollment period to enroll.  Delayed enrollment without penalty
or wait is available only if you are covered by an employer
health plan at the time you were first able to get Medicare.
     In general, if you are 65 or over, you may enroll in
Medicare medical insurance (Part B) during the 7-month period
beginning with the month you are no longer covered under the
employer plan based on your employment or the employment of your
spouse--even if the employer plan is not the primary payer.  If
you are disabled and covered by an employer health plan, you are
also given a special enrollment period in certain circumstances. 
     Certain disabled people who, when first able to get
Medicare, are covered under a group health plan, may enroll in
Medicare medical insurance during the 7-month period that begins
when they are no longer covered under the plan, or when the plan
is no longer classifiable as a large group health plan, or when
the plan coverage is terminated.
     Beginning July 1, 1990, disabled people who, since first
becoming able to get Medicare, are covered under an employer
group health plan of any size, based on their own or their
spouse's current employment, may also enroll during the 7-month
special enrollment period after the plan ends, or the employment
terminates, whichever occurs first.
     Social Security can give you more information on special
enrollment periods or delayed enrollment in Medicare's medical
insurance.
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