§ 406.21 Individual enrollment.

(a) Basic provision. An individual who meets the requirements of § 406.20(b) or (c), except as provided in § 406.26(b)(2), may enroll for premium hospital insurance only during his or her—

(1) Initial enrollment period as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section;

(2) A general enrollment period as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section;

(3) A special enrollment period as set forth in §§ 406.24, 406.25, and 406.27; or

(4) For HMO/CMP enrollees, a transfer enrollment period as set forth in paragraph (f) of this section.

(b) Initial enrollment periods—(1) Initial enrollment period for individual age 65 or over. The initial enrollment period extends for 7 months, from the third month before the month the individual first meets the requirements of § 406.20 (b)(1) through (b)(3) through the third month after that first month of eligibility.

(2) Initial enrollment period of individual under age 65. The initial enrollment period begins with the month in which the individual receives notice that entitlement to Medicare Part A will end because he or she has lost entitlement to disability benefits solely because of earnings in excess of the amounts allowed under the social security regulations on substantial gainful activity (20 CFR 404.1571-404.1574). It continues for 7 full months after that month.