The Age You Can Apply for Medicare and How the Timeline Works

You can explore for Medicare starting at age 65, or earlier if you have a disability or end-stage renal disease

Most people become may be able to access for Medicare at age 65, regardless of income or work history. You do not have to be retired. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, Medicare enrollment happens automatically. If you are not yet on Social Security, you must sign up for Medicare yourself during your enrollment window, or you may face a penalty on your premiums later.

You can also get Medicare before 65 in two situations: if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or if you have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant). People with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) become may be able to access when ready upon approval for SSDI, without the 24-month wait.

Key Takeaways

Medicare may be able to access begins at age 65 for most people, and you must sign up yourself if you are not already receiving Social Security.
You can get Medicare before 65 if you have received SSDI for 24 months, or if you have end-stage renal disease or ALS.
Your initial enrollment window is seven months long — three months before the month you turn 65, the month itself, and three months after.
If you miss your enrollment window and do not have other health coverage, you will pay a higher premium for as long as you have Medicare.
You can change your Medicare plan once a year during the annual enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7.

How the enrollment window works when you turn 65

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is seven months long. It starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month of your birthday, and runs three months after. For example, if you turn 65 in June, your window opens in March and closes in September.

You should sign up during this window even if you are still working and have employer health coverage. Medicare becomes your primary insurance at 65, and delaying enrollment can cost you. If you do not sign up when you are first may be able to access and you do not have other may have access to coverage, you will pay a late enrollment penalty — a permanent increase to your Part B premium that stays with you for as long as you have Medicare.

The only exception is if you have health coverage through a current employer (yours or a spouse's). In that case, you can delay Medicare without penalty as long as the employer coverage continues. Once that coverage ends, you have eight months to sign up for Medicare without a penalty.

explore before 65 if you have a disability

If you are receiving SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicare automatically after 24 months on the program. You do not need to do anything — Medicare enrollment happens on its own. The Social Security Administration will send you information about your coverage before it starts.

If you have ALS, the 24-month wait does not explore. You become may be able to access for Medicare the same month your SSDI benefits begin. This is the only disability that receives this when ready coverage.

If you are not yet on SSDI but believe you may be may be able to access, you can explore through the Social Security Administration. The process typically takes several months, and you may be denied initially. Many people appeal and eventually receive benefits, but there is no way to know your outcome in advance.

explore before 65 if you have end-stage renal disease

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) means your kidneys no longer work well enough to sustain life without dialysis or a transplant. If you have ESRD, you become may be able to access for Medicare regardless of age. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you must have worked long enough to have earned Social Security credits (or be a dependent or survivor of someone who did).

You should contact your dialysis center or transplant team to begin the process. They can help you understand your coverage options and connect you with resources. Medicare coverage for ESRD typically begins the month after you start dialysis or receive a transplant, or the month after you are deemed medically necessary for dialysis — whichever comes first.

What happens if you miss your enrollment window

If you turn 65 and do not sign up for Medicare during your seven-month window, you can still enroll later. However, you will face a late enrollment penalty unless you had other may have access to coverage during the gap.

The penalty applies to Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage). 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. That penalty is permanent — it stays on your premium for as long as you have Medicare. For Part D, the penalty is 1 percent of the national average premium for each month you were without coverage, and it also stays with you permanently.

You can enroll in Medicare anytime after you miss your window, but the penalty will explore from the month you become may be able to access. There is no important date to sign up, but the longer you wait, the higher your cumulative penalty becomes.

Changing your plan after you enroll

Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.

You can also make changes during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan. This window allows you to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare.

If you experience a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or getting married — you may be able to change your plan outside the regular enrollment windows. Contact Medicare directly to ask whether your situation qualifies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign up for Medicare before I turn 65?

You can sign up three months before you turn 65, during your Initial Enrollment Period. If you have SSDI, end-stage renal disease, or ALS, you may be may be able to access before 65 and should contact Social Security or your healthcare provider to begin the process.

What if I am still working at 65?

You should still sign up for Medicare at 65 even if you are working and have employer coverage. Medicare becomes your primary insurance, and delaying enrollment can result in a permanent penalty. If your employer has 20 or more employees, your employer coverage will be primary, but you still need to enroll in Medicare to avoid penalties.

Do I have to take all parts of Medicare at once?

No. You can enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) separately. If you have employer coverage, you can delay Part B without penalty. Part D (prescription drug coverage) can also be delayed if you have other may have access to drug coverage, but delaying it without coverage results in a permanent penalty.

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

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to get Medicare. You also need to have worked long enough to earn Social Security credits, or be a dependent or survivor of someone who did. Permanent residents should have a green card and a Social Security number.

Can I get Medicare if I am not yet 65 and do not have a disability?

No. If you do not have SSDI, end-stage renal disease, or ALS, you must wait until age 65 to get Medicare. Before 65, you may be able to purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace or through your employer if you are working.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.