The Age You Can Get Medicare and How to Prepare

Medicare starts at age 65 for most people

You become may be able to access for Medicare at age 65, regardless of your work history or income. This is the standard may be able to access age set by federal law. You do not have to retire to get Medicare — you can keep working and still sign up at 65.

There are narrow exceptions: if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or if you have end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), you may get Medicare before 65. But for the vast majority of people, 65 is the age when Medicare becomes available.

The month you turn 65, you enter your Initial Enrollment Period — a seven-month window that starts three months before your birthday month and ends three months after. This is the window when you should sign up, because waiting past it can cost you in penalties for the rest of your life.

Key Takeaways

Medicare may be able to access begins the month you turn 65, and you have a seven-month enrollment window centered on your birthday month to sign up without penalty.
You can sign up online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at your local Social Security office starting three months before you turn 65.
If you delay signing up past your Initial Enrollment Period, you will pay a permanent monthly penalty on your Part B and Part D premiums unless you had employer coverage or other may have access to circumstances.
You should sign up even if you plan to keep working, because waiting until you retire can trigger late-enrollment penalties that never go away.
If you are still working and have health insurance through your job, you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty, but you must tell Medicare about your coverage.

When to sign up: your seven-month enrollment window

Your Initial Enrollment Period runs for seven months: three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 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 to avoid late-enrollment penalties. The penalty applies to Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) and stays on your bill for as long as you have Medicare — it does not expire after a few years.

The one exception is if you are covered by a health plan through your current job or your spouse's current job. If you have that coverage, you can delay Part B without penalty, but you must tell Medicare about it. You will still need to sign up for Part A (hospital insurance) at 65 even if you are working.

How to sign up for Medicare

You can sign up in three ways: online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or in person at your local Social Security office. You can start the process three months before you turn 65.

Have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency ready. If you are signing up for Part B and Part D, the process takes about 10 minutes online. If you call, a representative will walk you through the same questions.

If you sign up online, you will get a confirmation number when ready. If you call or visit in person, ask for written confirmation of your enrollment date — this matters if there is ever a question about when you signed up.

What happens if you miss your enrollment window

If you do not sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period and you do not have a may have access to reason to delay, you will owe a late-enrollment penalty. For Part B, the penalty is 10 percent of the standard premium for each full 12-month period you were may be able to access but not enrolled. For Part D, the penalty is 1 percent of the national average premium for each month you were may be able to access but not enrolled.

These penalties are permanent. Even if you sign up years later, the penalty stays on your monthly bill. The only way to avoid it is to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period or to have had other health coverage that counts as "creditable coverage" — usually employer insurance or TRICARE.

You can sign up after your Initial Enrollment Period ends, but only during the General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 each year. Coverage would start July 1 of that year. This is a much longer wait than signing up on time.

Working past 65 and Medicare

You do not have to retire to get Medicare. If you are still working at 65 and have health insurance through your job, you have options. You can keep your employer coverage and delay Part B enrollment without penalty — but you must tell Medicare that you have employer coverage.

To tell Medicare about your coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit your local Social Security office. Bring your insurance card. This protects you from late-enrollment penalties when you eventually retire and sign up for Part B.

You should still sign up for Part A at 65 even if you are working, because Part A is hospital insurance and is generally free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. There is no penalty for signing up for Part A early.

Medicare before 65: SSDI, end-stage renal disease, and ALS

If you have been receiving SSDI for 24 consecutive months, you become may be able to access for Medicare at that point, regardless of your age. Your Medicare coverage starts the 25th month of your SSDI benefits. Social Security will contact you automatically when you reach this milestone.

If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) — permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant — you may get Medicare regardless of age. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet other requirements. Contact your dialysis center or transplant program for information about enrollment.

If you have been diagnosed with ALS, you become may be able to access for Medicare when ready, without waiting for SSDI. You will need medical documentation of your diagnosis. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to start the enrollment process.

What Medicare covers at 65

Medicare has four parts. Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Part D covers prescription drugs. Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Parts A, B, and D offered by private insurance companies.

Part A is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part B has a monthly premium (the standard amount in 2024 is $164.90, but it varies by income). Part D premiums vary by plan. Part C plans have their own premiums and coverage rules.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) has deductibles and copayments. Many people buy a Medigap policy to cover some of these costs, or they choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead. You have time to compare options during your Initial Enrollment Period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Medicare before 65 if I am disabled but not on SSDI?

No. The only way to get Medicare before 65 due to disability is to have been receiving SSDI for 24 months. If you are disabled but not yet on SSDI, you would need to explore for SSDI first, wait 24 months, and then Medicare would start automatically. Contact your local Social Security office to learn about SSDI.

What if I turn 65 while I am traveling outside the United States?

You can still sign up for Medicare from outside the U.S. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (you may need to use a calling card or internet phone service). You can also sign up online at Medicare.gov from anywhere. Your coverage will start on the first day of the month you turn 65, regardless of where you are.

Do I lose my employer health insurance when I turn 65?

Not automatically. If you are still working, your employer coverage continues unless your employer or you choose to end it. You can keep both employer coverage and Medicare at the same time. Medicare becomes the primary payer for most services once you are enrolled, but your employer plan may cover things Medicare does not.

What if I miss the important date by just a few days?

Even a few days past the end of your Initial Enrollment Period counts as late. You will owe the late-enrollment penalty unless you have a may have access to reason (such as employer coverage you did not tell Medicare about). Contact 1-800-MEDICARE to explain your situation — some people do get exceptions, but they are rare.

Can my spouse sign up for Medicare at my age?

No. Your spouse must sign up when they turn 65, in their own Initial Enrollment Period. However, if your spouse is under 65 and you are on Medicare, they may be able to stay on your employer health plan until they turn 65, depending on your employer's rules.

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.