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

Medicare enrollment opens during a seven-month window: three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and three months after. If you sign up during this window, your coverage begins on the first day of the month you turn 65. Most people become may be able to access at 65, though some may have access to earlier due to disability or end-stage renal disease.

The exact timing matters because missing this window can cost you. If you do not enroll when you first become may be able to access and you do not have other coverage that counts as "creditable coverage," you may face a permanent penalty on your premiums. The penalty is 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled.

You do not have to wait until you turn 65 to start thinking about Medicare. Many people begin researching options at 62 or 63, especially if they are planning to retire. The Social Security Administration and Medicare.gov both offer tools to help you understand your options before your enrollment window opens.

Key Takeaways

  • You can enroll in Medicare starting three months before the month you turn 65, and your coverage will begin on the first of that month if you enroll during this window.
  • If you miss your initial enrollment window and do not have creditable coverage, you will pay a permanent 10 percent penalty on Part B premiums.
  • Some people under 65 may be may be able to access for Medicare if they receive Social Security disability benefits or have end-stage renal disease.
  • You can enroll online through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at your local Social Security office.

The seven-month enrollment window explained

Your initial enrollment period is seven months long and centers on your 65th birthday. It starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. For example, if you turn 65 in June, your window opens in March and closes in September.

Timing your enrollment within this window determines when your coverage starts. If you enroll in the three months before your birthday month, coverage begins the first of the month you turn 65. If you enroll during your birthday month itself, coverage also begins that same month on the first. If you enroll in the three months after your birthday month, your coverage start date is delayed by one month for each month you wait past your birthday month.

This delay is important to understand. If you turn 65 in June and wait until August to enroll, your coverage will not start until September 1. If you wait until September, coverage starts October 1. The longer you wait within that window, the longer you go without coverage.

What happens if you miss the enrollment window

If you do not enroll during your initial seven-month window, you enter what Medicare calls a "general enrollment period." General enrollment periods run from January 1 through March 31 each year, and coverage would begin July 1 of that year. This means if you miss your initial window by even one day, you may have to wait many months for coverage to start.

More importantly, you may face a permanent late enrollment penalty. If you did not have creditable coverage—meaning health insurance that is at least as good as Medicare Part B—during the months you were may be able to access but not enrolled, Medicare adds 10 percent to your Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare. This penalty does not go away, even if you enroll years later.

Creditable coverage includes employer health insurance, TRICARE, the Veterans Health Administration, or other plans that meet Medicare's standards. If you were covered by one of these plans while you were may be able to access for Medicare, you may not face a penalty even if you enroll late. You will need to show proof of that coverage when you enroll.

People under 65 who can enroll in Medicare

You do not have to wait until 65 to be may be able to access for Medicare. If you have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 consecutive months, you become may be able to access for Medicare at any age. The 24-month waiting period starts the month your disability benefits begin, not the month you applied.

You also become may be able to access for Medicare at any age if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which means your kidneys no longer work well enough to sustain life without dialysis or a transplant. may be able to access begins the month you start dialysis treatment or the month you have a kidney transplant, whichever comes first. If you have ESRD, you have a different enrollment window than people turning 65.

If you are under 65 and may be able to access through disability or ESRD, you can enroll in Medicare during a seven-month window that works the same way as the window for people turning 65: three months before, the month of, and three months after the month you become may be able to access.

How to enroll during your window

You have three main ways to enroll in Medicare: online, by phone, or in person. The online method is usually fastest. You can create a Medicare.gov account and enroll through the website without waiting on hold. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about any current health coverage you have.

If you prefer to speak with someone, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. They can walk you through the enrollment process and answer questions about your specific situation. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number 1-877-486-2048.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person to enroll. Find your nearest office on the Social Security Administration website. Bring your Social Security card, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and proof of age. If you have current health coverage, bring that information too.

Coordinating Medicare with retirement and work

If you are still working when you turn 65, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without penalty, depending on your employer's health plan size. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you can usually stay on your employer plan and delay Medicare Part B enrollment. You must enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) at 65 even if you are still working, but you can delay Part B.

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you should enroll in Medicare Part B when you turn 65, even if you have employer coverage. Delaying Part B in this situation will trigger the late enrollment penalty.

If you are self-employed or work for a small business, treat yourself as if you work for an employer with fewer than 20 employees. Enroll in Part B at 65 to avoid penalties. You can keep your other coverage if it is creditable coverage, but Medicare becomes your primary insurance.

Planning ahead: what to do before your enrollment window opens

Start gathering information about Medicare at least three months before your enrollment window opens. Visit Medicare.gov and use the "Plan Finder" tool to see what Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans are available in your area. These plans vary by location, so what is available where you live may be different from what your friends or family members have.

Review your current health coverage to understand whether it is creditable coverage. If you have questions about whether your employer plan, union plan, or retiree plan counts as creditable coverage, ask your benefits administrator or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Getting this answer before you enroll prevents penalties later.

If you receive Social Security benefits, your Medicare enrollment may be automatic. Social Security will send you a notice about three months before you turn 65. If you do not receive this notice, contact Social Security to confirm your enrollment status. Do not assume you are automatically enrolled—verify it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enroll in Medicare before I turn 65?

Yes, you can enroll starting three months before the month you turn 65. Your coverage will begin on the first of the month you turn 65 if you enroll during those three months. You cannot enroll more than three months early.

What is the penalty for enrolling late?

If you do not have creditable coverage and miss your initial enrollment window, Medicare adds 10 percent to your Part B premium for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. This penalty is permanent and continues for as long as you have Medicare Part B.

Do I have to enroll in Medicare at 65 if I am still working?

You must enroll in Part A at 65. For Part B, it depends on your employer's size. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you can delay Part B without penalty. If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you should enroll in Part B at 65 to avoid penalties.

What if I am on disability and under 65?

If you have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 consecutive months, you become may be able to access for Medicare regardless of age. You can enroll during a seven-month window centered on the month you become may be able to access, the same way people turning 65 do.

Is Medicare enrollment automatic when I turn 65?

If you receive Social Security benefits, your enrollment may be automatic. Social Security will send you a notice about three months before you turn 65. If you do not receive a notice or are unsure, contact Social Security or Medicare directly to confirm your status. Do not assume you are enrolled without verifying.