Enrollment Delays: Start Your Medicare Plan Early | 05.27.2025

Currently, delays at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) are causing carrier applications to go pending, giving the potential for coverage start dates to be delayed.

We have no insight into the inner workings of CMS, so we can only report on what we have experienced and confirmed with some of our contracted carriers.

This post serves to inform you, not alarm you. Read on for information and recommended action…

What’s Happening:

We’ve confirmed with multiple insurance carriers that new enrollments are showing as “pending” due to slower turnaround times at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This is not typical.

Normally, once a plan application is submitted, it moves through the process quickly. But right now, things are taking longer — and it’s impacting when coverage actually begins.

Why This Matters:

If you're new to Medicare, the delay could mean a gap in your coverage if you don't plan ahead.

Your Medicare enrollment window is seven months:

• Three months before your 65th birthday (or retirement date if you're already over 65)

• The month of your birthday

• And three months after your birthday

However - with CMS running behind, you can’t assume that submitting your paperwork even weeks in advance is enough.

Our Strong Recommendation: Whether enrolling in Original Medicare (Parts A & B), a Medicare Supplement plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan, give yourself AMPLE time.

👉 For those over 65, still working, planning to retire, and currently covered under employer insurance: We recommend starting the process of applying for Part B a full SIX MONTHS before your planned retirement. This allows for:

• SSA processing time (also currently slower than normal)

• CMS lag in approving and activating coverage

• Ensuring the plan of your choice is in place when you need it

The punchline? Don’t wait - start early, secure your coverage, and protect your peace of mind.

If you're unsure of your timeline or would like to talk through your plans, book a time to talk here.