You become may be able to access for Medicare at age 65

Medicare may be able to access begins the month you turn 65, regardless of whether you are still working. You do not have to retire to sign up. The federal government runs Medicare, and the program covers hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and preventive services once you meet the age requirement.

If you were born on the first day of the month, your may be able to access begins the month before. Otherwise, it begins the month of your birthday. You can enroll during a specific window around your 65th birthday, and missing that window can cost you in higher premiums later.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare may be able to access starts the month you turn 65, and you have a seven-month enrollment window centered on your birthday month.
  • If you delay enrollment past your initial window without may have access to for an exception, you will pay a permanent penalty on your monthly premiums.
  • You can enroll online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at your local Social Security office.
  • Some people under 65 may be may be able to access if they receive Social Security Disability Insurance or have end-stage renal disease or ALS.

Your enrollment window: seven months centered on your birthday

Your Initial Enrollment Period runs for seven months: three months before the month you turn 65, the month itself, and three months after. For example, if you turn 65 in June, your window opens in March and closes in September.

You should enroll during this window even if you do not plan to use Medicare right away. If you miss it and do not have a may have access to reason for the delay, you will pay a late enrollment penalty on Part B (doctor and outpatient care) and Part D (prescription drugs) for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is a percentage of the monthly premium, calculated for each month you were late, and it does not go away.

If you are still working and covered by your employer's health plan, you may have an exception that lets you delay without penalty. You will need to show proof of that coverage when you enroll.

How to enroll in Medicare

You can enroll through three routes: online, by phone, or in person. The online method is fastest. Go to Medicare.gov, click "Sign up for Medicare," and create an account or log in with an existing one. You will need your Social Security number and basic personal information. The site will walk you through choosing your coverage and submitting your enrollment.

If you prefer to speak with someone, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Representatives are available seven days a week, and they can answer questions about which parts of Medicare you need and help you enroll over the phone. Have your Social Security number and information about any current health coverage ready.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and proof of age (birth certificate, passport, or driver's license).

Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D: what each covers

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 10 years.

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical equipment, and preventive services. It has a monthly premium (the amount changes yearly) and a yearly deductible. You pay 20 percent of the cost of most services after you meet the deductible.

Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Parts A and B offered by private insurance companies. It bundles hospital and doctor coverage and usually includes prescription drug coverage. Plans vary by location and what they cover.

Part D covers prescription drugs through private insurance plans. You choose a plan during enrollment, and the premium and coverage differ by plan. If you do not enroll in Part D when you first become may be able to access and you go without drug coverage, you will pay a late enrollment penalty on top of the plan premium.

Special cases: may be able to access before age 65

You may be may be able to access for Medicare before 65 if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). After you have been on SSDI for 24 months, you automatically become may be able to access for Medicare, regardless of age. Your coverage begins the 25th month of your disability benefits.

You are also may be able to access at any age if you have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant) or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig's disease). For ESRD, you have a three-month enrollment window from the month your kidney disease is diagnosed. For ALS, you become may be able to access the month your diagnosis is confirmed.

What happens if you miss your enrollment window

If you do not enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period and you do not have a may have access to exception, you can still enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 each year. Coverage would begin July 1 of that year. However, you will owe the late enrollment penalty for every month between when you should have enrolled and when you actually do.

The penalty for Part B is 10 percent of the standard monthly premium for each full year you were late. The penalty for Part D is 1 percent of the national average plan premium for each month you were late. These penalties are permanent—they do not expire.

If you have a life event such as loss of employer coverage, moving out of your plan's service area, or divorce, you may be able to enroll outside the normal windows without penalty. These are called Special Enrollment Periods. You have 63 days from the event to enroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enroll in Medicare before I turn 65?

You can enroll up to three months before your 65th birthday. Your enrollment window opens three months before the month you turn 65. If you are on Social Security Disability Insurance, you become may be able to access automatically after 24 months without needing to enroll.

What if I am still working at 65?

You can enroll in Medicare even if you are working. If your employer has 20 or more employees and covers you under their health plan, you may delay Part B enrollment without penalty. You will still need to enroll in Part A. Check with your employer's benefits office about how their coverage coordinates with Medicare.

Do I have to take all four parts of Medicare?

No. Part A is automatic for most people at 65 if they paid Medicare taxes. You choose whether to take Part B, and you choose a Part C plan or stick with Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Part D is separate and optional, but skipping it costs you a penalty if you enroll later.

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

You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States for at least five consecutive years to be may be able to access for Medicare at 65. Bring proof of legal residency when you enroll.

Can I change my Medicare plan after I enroll?

Yes, during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7 each year. You can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change your Part D plan, or make other changes. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.