You become may be able to access for Medicare at 65, or earlier if you have a disability or end-stage renal disease

Most people become may be able to access for Medicare the month they turn 65. You do not have to retire, and you do not have to stop working — may be able to access is based on age alone. If you are under 65, you may still become may be able to access if you have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, or if you have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant) or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Your may be able to access date matters because there are important date for signing up. If you miss the important date for your situation, you may pay a higher premium for the rest of your life. The rules differ depending on whether you are still working, whether you have coverage through an employer, and what type of coverage you have now.

Key Takeaways

  • You become may be able to access at 65 based on age, or earlier if you receive Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, have end-stage renal disease, or have ALS.
  • Your initial enrollment period is the seven months centered on your 65th birthday — three months before, the month you turn 65, and three months after.
  • If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you can delay Medicare Part B without penalty, but you must enroll in Part A.
  • Missing your enrollment important date can result in a permanent penalty on your Part B and Part D premiums, even if you sign up years later.
  • You can check your may be able to access and see your enrollment options by creating an account at Medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

may be able to access at 65 based on age

The standard may be able to access age is 65. You become may be able to access the month you turn 65, regardless of whether you are still working or have retired. There is no income limit, and you do not have to be a U.S. citizen — you must be a permanent resident and have lived in the United States for at least five consecutive years.

Your may be able to access begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first of the month, your may be able to access begins that day. If your birthday is any other day of the month, your may be able to access begins on the first day of that month. This matters for timing your enrollment and understanding when coverage starts.

may be able to access before 65 due to disability

If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you become may be able to access for Medicare after you have been receiving those benefits for 24 months. The 24 months are counted from the month your disability benefits began, not from the month you applied. You do not have to wait until you turn 65 — you can be any age.

Once you have received disability benefits for 24 months, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. You will receive your Medicare card in the mail. You do not have to do anything to enroll. If you want to decline Part B, you must contact Social Security before your coverage starts.

may be able to access with end-stage renal disease or ALS

If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) — permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a transplant — you become may be able to access for Medicare when ready, regardless of age. You do not have to wait 24 months. Your may be able to access begins the month your dialysis treatment starts, or the month of your kidney transplant.

If you have ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), you become may be able to access for Medicare when ready upon diagnosis, regardless of age. You do not have to be receiving Social Security disability benefits first. In both cases, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, and your Medicare card will arrive in the mail.

Your initial enrollment period and important date

Your initial enrollment period is a seven-month window: three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after. If your birthday is in June, your initial enrollment period runs from March through September. You can enroll during any of these seven months, and coverage will begin on the first day of the month you turn 65 or the first day of the month you enroll, whichever is later.

If you enroll during the three months before your birthday, your coverage starts the month you turn 65. If you enroll in the month you turn 65 or after, your coverage starts the month after you enroll. For example, if you turn 65 in June and enroll in July, your coverage begins August 1.

If you miss your initial enrollment period, you can enroll during the general enrollment period, which runs January 1 through March 31 each year. Coverage begins July 1 of that year. However, if you enroll late, you will pay a permanent penalty on your Part B premium — an extra 10 percent for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. This penalty stays with you for life.

Working past 65 and employer coverage

If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, the rules are different. You can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without penalty if your employer has 20 or more employees and you are covered as an active employee (not as a retiree). You must still enroll in Part A at 65, but you can wait to enroll in Part B until you retire or lose your employer coverage.

When you do lose your employer coverage, you have a special enrollment period of eight months to sign up for Part B without penalty. This eight-month period starts the month your employment ends or your coverage ends, whichever comes first. If you miss this important date, you will pay the late enrollment penalty.

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you cannot delay Part B. You must enroll in Part B when you turn 65, or you will pay a penalty. Check with your employer's benefits office if you are unsure how many employees your company has.

How to check your may be able to access and enroll

You can check your may be able to access and see your enrollment options at Medicare.gov. Create an account using your email address and Social Security number. You will see your may be able to access date, what parts of Medicare you can enroll in, and the enrollment important date for your situation. You can also see estimated costs for different plans.

You can enroll online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or in person at your local Social Security office. If you enroll online, you can complete the process in one session. By phone, a representative will walk you through your options and answer questions. The phone line is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. If English is not your first language, interpreters are available.

You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about any current health coverage you have. If you are still working and covered by an employer plan, have that information ready so you can explain your situation and understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I turn 65 while still working?

You become may be able to access for Medicare at 65 whether you are working or not. If your employer has 20 or more employees and covers you as an active employee, you can delay Part B without penalty. You must still enroll in Part A. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you must enroll in both Part A and Part B at 65 or pay a penalty.

Can I delay Medicare if I have good health insurance through my job?

You can delay Part B if your employer has 20 or more employees and you are covered as an active employee. Part A is still required at 65. When you retire or lose coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty. If you wait longer, you will pay a permanent premium increase.

Do I have to enroll in Medicare if I am still working and have employer coverage?

You must enroll in Part A at 65, even if you have employer coverage. Part B is optional if your employer has 20 or more employees and covers you as an active employee. However, you should enroll in Part B within eight months of losing that coverage to avoid a penalty.

What if I miss my enrollment important date?

If you miss your initial enrollment period, you can enroll during the general enrollment period (January 1 through March 31), and coverage begins July 1. However, you will pay a permanent 10 percent penalty on your Part B premium for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. This penalty never goes away.

How do I know if my employer has 20 or more employees?

Ask your employer's benefits office or human resources department. This number determines whether you can delay Part B without penalty. If you are unsure, you can also call 1-800-MEDICARE and explain your situation — a representative can help you understand your options based on your employer's size.