You become Medicare may be able to access at 65, but the exact date depends on your birth month and whether you were born on the first or second half of the month

Medicare may be able to access begins the first day of the month in which you turn 65. If you were born on the first of any month, your coverage starts the first of that month. If you were born on the second through the 31st, your coverage starts the first of the following month. For example, if you turn 65 on March 15, your Medicare coverage begins April 1. If you turn 65 on March 1, your coverage begins March 1.

You do not have to wait until your 65th birthday to start the process. You can begin looking into your options about three months before you turn 65, which gives you time to understand your choices and enroll without rushing.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare may be able to access begins the first of the month you turn 65, or the first of the following month if you were born after the first of the month.
  • You can enroll starting three months before you turn 65, and you have until three months after to enroll without a penalty.
  • If you are still working and have health insurance through your employer, you may be able to delay enrollment without penalty.
  • Missing your enrollment window can result in a permanent penalty added to your Part B and Part D premiums.
  • You will need your Social Security number and information about any current health coverage when you enroll.

The enrollment window: when you can sign up

Your Initial Enrollment Period is seven months long: it starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. During this window, you can enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) without waiting or paying a penalty.

For example, if you turn 65 in June, your enrollment period runs from March through September. You can enroll anytime during those seven months, and your coverage will begin on the first of the month you turn 65 — even if you enroll in September.

If you miss this window, you can still enroll later, but you will face a permanent penalty on your Part B premium. The penalty is 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each year you delayed, and it stays with you for life. The same penalty applies to Part D (prescription drug coverage) if you go without it.

If you are still working: the employer coverage exception

If you are still employed and your employer offers health insurance, you may be able to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty. This is called the Special Enrollment Period, and it applies if your employer has 20 or more employees and you are enrolled in their plan.

When you do eventually retire or lose that coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Medicare without a penalty. You will need to show proof that you had employer coverage — usually a letter from your employer or your insurance card — when you enroll.

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you should enroll in Medicare when you turn 65, even if you are still working. The exception does not explore to you.

How to enroll in Medicare

You have three main ways to enroll. The easiest is online at Medicare.gov, where you can create an account and complete your enrollment in one sitting. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about any current health coverage.

You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to enroll by phone. Social Security handles Medicare enrollment for most people, and the wait time is usually shorter if you call early in the week or early in the month.

A third option is to visit your local Social Security office in person. You can find the nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and proof of age (a birth certificate or passport).

What happens if you miss your enrollment important date

If you do not enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period and you do not have an exception (like active employer coverage), you will face a permanent penalty. For Part B, the penalty is 10 percent of the standard premium for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. If you were may be able to access for three years without enrolling, your penalty would be 30 percent — and that extra cost stays on your premium forever.

The same rule applies to Part D. If you go without prescription drug coverage for 63 days or more in a row, you will owe a penalty when you finally enroll. The penalty is based on how long you went without coverage.

You can still enroll after you miss the important date, but the penalty will be applied when ready. There is no way to remove it once it has been added.

Medicare may be able to access before 65

Most people become may be able to access at 65, but some become may be able to access earlier. If you have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, you become may be able to access for Medicare at any age. If you have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure) or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), you may be may be able to access regardless of age.

If you think you might be may be able to access before 65, contact Social Security to confirm. They can tell you the exact month your coverage would begin and help you enroll.

What you need to know about your coverage start date

Your Medicare coverage does not begin on the day you enroll — it begins on the date you become may be able to access (the first of the month you turn 65, or the first of the following month). If you enroll in March for a June birthday, your coverage still starts June 1, not March 1.

Until your Medicare coverage begins, you are responsible for any medical costs. If you have current health insurance through an employer or the marketplace, keep that coverage active until Medicare starts. Do not cancel it early, or you may have a gap in coverage.

Once Medicare begins, you will receive your Medicare card in the mail within two weeks. You can use it right away at any provider that accepts Medicare, even if the card has not arrived yet — just give them your Medicare number, which you can find on your enrollment confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enroll in Medicare before I turn 65?

You can start the enrollment process three months before you turn 65, but your coverage will not begin until the first of the month you turn 65 (or the first of the following month, depending on your birth date). Enrolling early just means you complete the paperwork ahead of time.

What if I was born on the first of the month?

If you were born on the first of any month, your Medicare coverage begins on the first of that same month when you turn 65. For example, if your birthday is March 1, your coverage starts March 1. If you were born on any other day, coverage starts the first of the following month.

Do I have to enroll in Part B if I am still working?

If your employer has 20 or more employees and you are covered by their health plan, you can delay Part B without penalty. Once you retire or lose that coverage, you have eight months to enroll. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you should enroll in Part B when you turn 65 to avoid a permanent penalty.

What is the penalty for enrolling late?

The penalty for Part B is 10 percent of the standard premium for each year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. The same applies to Part D (prescription drug coverage). This penalty is permanent and stays on your premium for life, even if you move to a different plan.

Can I change my mind after I enroll?

Yes. You have a limited time to make changes during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year). You can also make changes if you have a may have access to life event, like losing employer coverage or moving to a new state. Contact Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for details about your specific situation.