You can enroll in Medicare starting three months before the month you turn 65

Medicare enrollment opens on the first day of the month you turn 65, but you can sign up as early as three months before that birthday. The enrollment window stays open for three months after your birthday month — so if you turn 65 in June, you can enroll from March through August. If you miss this window, you may pay a penalty for the rest of your life, so marking your calendar now is worth the five minutes it takes.

You do not have to wait until your birthday to start the process. Many people enroll during the three months before, which gives Social Security time to process the paperwork and have your coverage start on the first day of your birthday month. Starting coverage on your birthday month rather than months later means you are not paying out of pocket for medical care in the meantime.

The place to enroll is Medicare.gov, the official federal website. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you may be enrolled automatically, though you should verify your coverage details online or by phone to be sure.

Key Takeaways

  • You can enroll in Medicare starting three months before your 65th birthday, and you have until three months after to avoid a lifetime penalty.
  • The easiest way to enroll is through Medicare.gov, where you can compare plans and sign up in one session.
  • If you are still working and have health insurance through your employer, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty.
  • Social Security will automatically enroll you in Part A and Part B if you are already receiving benefits, but you should confirm the details.
  • If you miss the initial enrollment window, you can enroll during the General Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 each year, but you will owe a penalty.

What happens if you enroll through Medicare.gov

Go to Medicare.gov and click "Sign Up for Medicare" in the top navigation. You will need to create a login or use an existing one. The site will ask for your name, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. You will then see which parts of Medicare you are may be able to access for and what the costs are.

Medicare has four parts: Part A covers hospital stays, Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care, Part D covers prescription drugs, and Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an alternative to Parts A and B offered by private insurance companies. On Medicare.gov, you will see plans available in your area, their monthly premiums, and what they cover. You can compare them side by side before choosing.

Once you select a plan, you submit your enrollment right there on the website. Medicare will send you a confirmation by mail within two weeks. Your coverage typically starts on the first day of the month after you enroll, though if you enroll during your birthday month, coverage can start on the first day of that month instead.

Enrolling by phone or in person

If you prefer not to use the website, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. The call usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Social Security will walk you through your options and enroll you over the phone. They will mail you a confirmation and your Medicare card.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the nearest office by going to ssa.gov/locator or calling the number above. Bring your Social Security card, proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport or birth certificate), and proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease). An employee will help you enroll and answer questions about your coverage options.

If you are still working and have employer health insurance

If your employer has 20 or more employees and you or your spouse is still working, you may be able to delay enrolling in Part B without paying a penalty. This is called the Special Enrollment Period. You must have creditable coverage — meaning your employer plan covers at least as much as Medicare Part B does — and you must enroll in Part B within eight months of losing that coverage or retiring.

To use this exception, you do not enroll in Part B when you turn 65. Instead, you enroll in Part A only (which has no premium if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years). When you leave your job or lose your employer coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty. If you miss that window, you will owe a 10 percent penalty for each year you were may be able to access but did not enroll.

If you are unsure whether your employer plan qualifies, ask your benefits department or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048) before you turn 65. It is better to ask than to miss the important date and owe a penalty.

What to do if you miss the initial enrollment window

If you do not enroll during the three months before your birthday through the three months after, you can still enroll, but you will owe a penalty. The General Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 each year, and coverage starts July 1 of that year. This means if you miss your initial window in, say, September, you would have to wait until the next January to enroll, and your coverage would not start until July.

The penalty for late enrollment is 10 percent of the Part B premium for each full year you were may be able to access but did not enroll. If the Part B premium is $175 per month and you waited two years to enroll, you would owe an extra $35 per month for life. The same penalty applies to Part D (prescription drug coverage) if you go without it for more than 63 days in a row.

If you have a good reason for missing the important date — such as being out of the country, having a serious illness, or receiving incorrect information from Social Security — you may be able to request a waiver of the penalty. Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to ask about this option.

Understanding your Medicare card and coverage start date

Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail within two weeks of enrollment. It shows your Medicare number, which parts of Medicare you have, and the date your coverage starts. Keep this card with you at all times. When you go to a doctor or hospital, you will show this card instead of a private insurance card.

Your coverage start date depends on when you enroll. If you enroll during your initial enrollment window (three months before through three months after your birthday month), coverage usually starts on the first day of your birthday month. If you enroll outside that window during the General Enrollment Period, coverage starts July 1.

Before your coverage starts, make a list of your current doctors and medications. Check Medicare.gov to see which doctors and hospitals accept Medicare in your area and which pharmacies are in your plan's network. If your current doctor does not accept Medicare, you will need to find a new one. If your current medication is not on your plan's formulary (the list of covered drugs), you can ask your doctor for an alternative or request an exception from your insurance plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to enroll in all four parts of Medicare at once?

No. Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) are separate from Part D (prescription drugs) and Part C (Medicare Advantage). You must enroll in Part A and Part B during your initial enrollment window or face a penalty. Part D and Part C have their own enrollment periods and important date, and you can choose them separately.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who has lived in the United States for at least five consecutive years to enroll in Medicare. If you meet these requirements, the enrollment process is the same. Bring proof of your legal status when you enroll in person.

Can I change my mind after I enroll?

Yes. You have until December 31 of the year you turn 65 to change your Part B or Part D plan. After that, you can only change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes made during this period take effect January 1 of the following year.

What if I am already receiving Social Security?

Social Security will automatically enroll you in Part A and Part B about three months before you turn 65 and will mail you a Medicare card. You do not have to do anything. However, you should still review your coverage details on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-633-4227 to make sure the enrollment is correct and to choose a Part D plan if you want one.

Is there a cost to enroll in Medicare?

There is no cost to enroll. However, Medicare has monthly premiums (the amount you pay each month), deductibles (the amount you pay before coverage kicks in), and copayments (the amount you pay per visit). Part A has no premium for most people. Part B, Part D, and Part C all have premiums that vary by plan and income.