The Medicare Playbook

Curriculum

8 Sections
23 Lessons
Lifetime

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MODULE 1: Medicare Foundations & Why It Matters
3
MODULE 2: Medicare Enrollment — Timing Is Everything
7
MODULE 3: Medicare Costs — What You Actually Pay
3
MODULE 4: What Medicare Covers — and What It Doesn’t
2
- 4.1
  Lesson 4.1 — What Original Medicare Covers
- 4.2
  Lesson 4.2 – What Original Medicare Does Not Cover
MODULE 5: Medigap vs Medicare Advantage
3
MODULE 6: Planning for Rising Health Care Costs
2
- 6.1
  Lesson 6.1 — Why Health Care Costs Increase in Retirement
- 6.2
  Lesson 6.2 — Estimating Retirement Health Care Expenses
MODULE 7: Long-Term Care Planning
2
- 7.1
  Lesson 7.1 — What Long-Term Care Really Is
- 7.2
  Lesson 7.2 — The Likelihood and Cost of Long-Term Care
MODULE 8: Final Reminders & Next Steps
1
- 8.1
  Lesson 8.1 — Putting It All Together: Three Key Takeaways

Lesson 2.6 — General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period runs annually from January 1 through March 31. This period intended for people who missed both their Initial and Special Enrollment Periods. It is important to understand you cannot enroll in Medicare at any time throughout the year.

While this period allows another enrollment window, coverage does not begin immediately, and late enrollment penalties usually apply. These penalties are often permanent and assessed monthly.

The General Enrollment Period should be viewed as a last resort, not a planning strategy.

Three Key Points