If you live in a foreign country when you turn 65 and first qualify for Medicare, you can sign up by requesting enrollment forms from the United States Embassy or Consulate in the country where you currently live. The Social Security Administration (SSA) should also send you a letter explaining that you have entered your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), along with a form to request an enrollment packet. Be sure to keep copies of any forms that you complete. If possible, it is best to send paperwork via certified mail to ensure their delivery.
If you are collecting benefits from SSA or from the Railroad Retirement Board The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is an independent agency in the executive branch of the federal government that administers comprehensive retirement, survivor, unemployment, and sickness benefits for U.S. railroad workers and their families. If you receive Railroad Retirement benefits or railroad disability annuity checks, the RRB processes your Medicare enrollment and collects your Medicare premiums. (RRB) while abroad, you may be automatically enrolled in Part A Part A, also known as hospital insurance, is the part of Medicare that covers most medically necessary hospital inpatient care, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, home health care, and hospice care. when you become Medicare-eligible. Follow the steps above to ensure that you are enrolled in Part B Part B, also known as medical insurance, is the part of Medicare that covers most medically necessary doctors’ services, preventive care, hospital outpatient care, durable medical equipment (DME), laboratory tests, x-rays, mental health services, and some home health care and ambulance services. if you plan to pay the premium abroad to maintain your Medicare coverage.
If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B during your IEP, you may have to wait until the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs January 1 through March 31 each year, with coverage starting the first of the month after the month when you enroll. Make sure you are aware of the consequences of choosing not to enroll during your IEP.
Note: If you do not qualify for premium-free Part A, you may only be able to enroll in Medicare if you live in the U.S. You will have a seven-month period around when you move back to the U.S. to sign up for Part B and premium Part A. This period includes the three months before, the month you establish U.S. residence, and the following three months. To qualify for this period, you must be a U.S. citizen, and you must have lived in a foreign country when you turned 65. You will not owe a late enrollment penalty A late enrollment penalty is an amount you must pay to Medicare in addition to the regular monthly premium for late enrollment in Part B or Part D. The Part B premium penalty is 10% of the Part B premium for each 12-month period you delayed enrollment without insurance from your or your spouse’s current work. The Part D premium penalty is 1% of the Part D premium for each month you delayed enrollment without creditable drug coverage. if you enroll during this period.