The Social Security Administration (SSA) Equitable Relief Special Enrollment Period is effective now until December 31, 2022. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing equitable relief under certain circumstances to beneficiaries who could not submit premium-Part A or Part B enrollment or disenrollment requests timely. This relief applies to the 2022 General Enrollment Period (GEP), Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), and Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
This equitable relief provides eligible individuals with an opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part B without penalty. Further, CMS is offering equitable relief to eligible individuals who were dually enrolled in Medicare Part A and coverage through the Marketplace and subsequently enrolled in Medicare Part B with a late enrollment penalty. This equitable relief provides these individuals an opportunity to request a reduction in their Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty.
Recent systemic technical issues surrounding SSA’s National 800 Network Number (N8NN) and Field Office general inquiry phone lines may have caused difficulties for some beneficiaries attempting to contact SSA, including those seeking to submit Medicare enrollment or disenrollment requests. Therefore, anyone who was unable to enroll due to SSA’s telephone issues after January 1, 2022, will be granted additional time, through December 30, 2022, to enroll.
If you have questions about your coverage or would like to learn more about your Medicare options, you may contact Indiana’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a program of the Indiana Department of Insurance, at 1-800-452-4800 to receive free confidential and impartial Medicare information. All of SHIP’s services are free and are not affiliated with any insurance company or agency. SHIP counselors have completed intensive training to offer you objective assistance in complete confidence. More information regarding SHIP is available at www.medicare.in.gov, Facebook, and Twitter.
About the Indiana Department of Insurance
The Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI) protects Indiana's insurance consumers by monitoring and regulating the financial strengths and market conduct activities of insurance companies and agents. The IDOI monitors insurance companies and agents for compliance with state laws to protect consumers and to offer them the best array of insurance products available. The IDOI also assists Hoosiers with insurance questions and provides guidance in understanding how insurance policies work.