Turning 65: Your Medicare Sign-Up Checklist
Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months: the 3 months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. Sign up for Part A and Part B during that window, unless you have qualifying job-based coverage, to avoid lifelong late enrollment penalties.
Your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period
| When you sign up | When coverage starts |
|---|---|
| 1–3 months before your birthday month | The first day of your birthday month |
| During your birthday month or the 3 months after | The first day of the month after you sign up |
The turning-65 checklist
- Mark your window. Count 3 months before your birthday month.
- Check whether you’re auto-enrolled. If you already get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, your Medicare card arrives about 3 months before you turn 65.
- Decide about Part B if you’re still working. Ask your employer’s benefits team whether your plan is primary at your company’s size.
- Choose how you’ll get coverage: Original Medicare with Medigap and Part D, or a Medicare Advantage plan. See Medigap vs Medicare Advantage.
- List your doctors and prescriptions to compare networks and drug lists.
- Buy Medigap during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (6 months from your Part B start) if you want guaranteed acceptance.
- Don’t skip drug coverage. Going without creditable drug coverage can trigger a Part D late penalty.
Avoiding late penalties
- Part B: 10% added to your premium for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t. It usually lasts as long as you have Part B.
- Part D: a penalty based on how many months you went without creditable drug coverage, added for as long as you have drug coverage.
Already on Medicare? Review your plan each year during the Annual Enrollment Period.
Get help from a licensed agent
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Sources
- Medicare.gov — When does Medicare coverage start?
- Medicare.gov — Avoid late enrollment penalties
- Social Security Administration — Sign up for Medicare
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Plan availability, dates and costs can change; confirm details with a licensed agent or the official source.