If you're eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that:
- Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
- Includes the month you turn 65
- Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65
Full Answer
When is the earliest you can get Medicare?
Oct 09, 2014 · Generally, we advise people to file for Medicare benefits 3 months before age 65. Remember, Medicare benefits can begin no earlier than age 65. If you are already receiving Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B without an additional application. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the …
How and when you should enroll in Medicare?
Jun 15, 2020 · It starts 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after you turn 65. If you’re not already collecting Social Security benefits before your Initial Enrollment Period starts, you’ll need to sign up for Medicare online or contact Social Security.
How and when are you supposed to enroll in Medicare?
Jul 27, 2021 · Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the 7-month window around your 65 th birthday during which you can (and should) enroll in Medicare. Your IEP starts three months before your 65 th birthday, and lasts for 3 months after the month of your 65 th birthday.
When is the last day to sign up for Medicare?
Jan 01, 2022 · About 2 weeks after you sign up, we’ll mail you a welcome package with your Medicare card. Know when to sign up for Part B. You can only sign up for Part B at certain times. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you turn 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
When should I set up Medicare?
Generally, you're first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. (You may be eligible for Medicare earlier, if you get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.)
Do I automatically get enrolled in Medicare when I turn 65?
Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.)
Do you automatically get enrolled into Medicare?
You automatically get Medicare because you're getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. when you applied for benefits.
How do I enroll in Medicare for the first time?
To sign up, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You also may contact your local Social Security office. You can find your local Social Security office by using our Office Locator.
Do I need to contact Social Security when I turn 65?
If you aren't eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits at age 65, and you aren't getting Social Security benefits, you can still get your full Medicare benefits (including premium-free Part A) at age 65, but you must contact Social Security to sign up.
Why was I automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B?
You'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B: If you are already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. If you are younger than 65 and have a disability. If you have Lou Gehrig's disease, also called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS.Jan 28, 2020
Do you have to pay for Medicare?
Most people don't have to pay a monthly premium for their Medicare Part A coverage. If you've worked for a total of 40 quarters or more during your lifetime, you've already paid for your Medicare Part A coverage through those income taxes.
Check when to sign up
Answer a few questions to find out when you can sign up for Part A and Part B based on your situation.
Check how to sign up
Answer a few questions to find out if you need to sign up or if you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B.
When coverage starts
The date your Part A and Part B coverage will start depends on when you sign up.
What is Medicare Supplement insurance?
Medicare Supplement insurance – this coverage may help pay your Medicare Part A and Part B costs, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You need Part A and Part B to qualify. Usually the best time to enroll is during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) – this program gives you an alternative way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits (many plans also include prescription drug benefits too). You need Part A and Part B to qualify, and then the plan (instead of the government) manages those benefits for you.
When does IEP start?
So if your 65th birthday is in November, your IEP runs from August through February. Your IEP is different if you’re not yet 65, but you qualify for Medicare by disability.
What is a stand alone Medicare plan?
Stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D) – you might want this type of plan if you need prescription drug coverage. You need Part A or Part B to qualify. If you don’t enroll during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you might have to wait to sign up.
Is Medicare Part A premium free?
Enroll in Medicare Part A as soon as they’re eligible. Even if your employer plan has hospital coverage, Part A is premium-free for most people. If your employer plan has hospital coverage, and you have a hospital stay, your plan and Medicare Part A will coordinate benefits to work out payment of your hospital costs.
Is Medicare Part A or B?
You might be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare). But if you want to sign up for other Medicare coverage, right about when you’re first eligible for Medicare might be a good time to enroll. If you’re not already getting Social Security retirement benefits when you turn 65, you generally won’t be automatically ...
How long does it take to get Medicare?
Learn how to make sure they have health insurance once you’re enrolled. Medicare eligibility starts at age 65. Your initial window to enroll is the seven-month period that begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after it. Seniors are generally advised to sign up on time to avoid penalties ...
What happens if you don't sign up for Medicare?
Specifically, if you fail to sign up for Medicare on time, you’ll risk a 10 percent surcharge on your Medicare Part B premiums for each year-long period you go without coverage upon being eligible.
Does Medicare pay for Part A?
That said, it often pays to enroll in Medicare Part A on time even if you have health coverage already. It won’t cost you anything, and this way, Medicare can serve as your secondary insurance and potentially pick up the tab for anything your primary insurance (in this case, your work health plan) doesn’t cover.
Do I need to sign up for Medicare when I turn 65?
It depends on how you get your health insurance now and the number of employees that are in the company where you (or your spouse) work.
How does Medicare work with my job-based health insurance?
Most people qualify to get Part A without paying a monthly premium. If you qualify, you can sign up for Part A coverage starting 3 months before you turn 65 and any time after you turn 65 — Part A coverage starts up to 6 months back from when you sign up or apply to get benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board).
Do I need to get Medicare drug coverage (Part D)?
You can get Medicare drug coverage once you sign up for either Part A or Part B. You can join a Medicare drug plan or Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage anytime while you have job-based health insurance, and up to 2 months after you lose that insurance.