I'm turning 65 soon, when can I enroll in Medicare?

Question

Michael Pyers · Accepted Answer

3 months before your 65th birthday. And up to 3 months after. You may delay enrollment if you have a job that gives you creditable coverage if you want to delay signing up for Medicare. Normally if you are receiving Social Security you will be signed up automatically.

Answered by Michael Pyers on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH & MI

Answered by Michael Pyers Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

You are guaranteed coverage with no underwriting evaluations starting three months before your 65th birthday month and continuing for three months after that month. I always advise people to start thinking about their Medicare coverage at least six months before they turn 65.

Answered by Larry Dalton on March 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

You are supposed to get your Medicare card 3 1/2 months before your birth month. So three months. If you’re enrolled to start receiving social security payments, then it’s supposed to be mailed automatically. If you’re not going to draw it, or they failed to send it, you will need to sign up yourself. You can do it one of three ways; go on line to www.ssa.gov or make an appointment to go down to social security or call them. Going on line is the best method.

Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, AL, CO & 10 other states

Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Capraro III · Answer

If you are currently receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board, you will be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. You will receive your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your sixty-fifth birthday. Your coverage will begin on the first day of the month you turn 65. If your sixty-fifth birthday falls on the first day of the month, your coverage will begin the first day of the month before your birthday. There are so many important decisions to be made-that's why I help folks everyday with their Medicare planning! :)

Answered by Tony Capraro III on March 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in NH & ME

Answered by Tony Capraro III Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

You can start three months before your Birthday and three months following your Birthday.

You could enroll a little earlier than three months, but sign up within the time frame.

Brian Moore · Answer

When clients ask about enrolling in Medicare at 65, I explain the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) covers three months before their birthday month, the month itself, and three months after. It’s a straightforward seven-month window.

Answered by Brian Moore on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Brian Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Misty Bolt · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/im-turning-65-soon-when-can-i-enroll-in-medicare#misty-bolt

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

For Original Medicare you can enroll 90 days before your Birth month & no sooner than that. For Medicare Advantage you can enroll 90 days before your Birth month & it will be effective the 1st day of that month or you can enroll the month you were born & it will be effect the 1st of the following month. You can also, enroll within 90 days after your 65th birthday & during the Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period. Assuming your Medicare Part A & Part B are effective the  month of your 65th birthday. Thank you. 

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Kelsey Hentzen · Answer

You can enroll in Medicare 3 months before your birth month. If your birthday is June 9th, your Medicare will become effective June 1st. If your birthday is the first of the month (6/1), it will become effective the month before. You have your birth month and three months after to enroll in Medicare. Your initial enrollment period is 7 months.

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen on June 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS & MO

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen Medicare Insurance Agent

***Medicare Melanie*** · Answer

This is a great question. 
You are eligible to enroll in Original Medicare, during a 7 month window, which runs 3 months before your birth month, the month of, and 3 months after. 

There is an exception if you were born on the first of the month. Your Medicare will actually start one month earlier than your birth month. 

We recommend the community meet with us at least 6 months prior to their 65th birthday to review option and make sure they are on the right track.

God Bless.

Diane Andree · Answer

If you are turning 65 soon, and want or need to enroll in Medicare, your Initial Enrollment Period allows you to start enrolling up to 3 months before the month of your birthday for an effective date of the 1st of the month, of the month of your birthday.  In other words, if your birthday is June 12, you may start enrolling in March.  If you enroll in March, April or May, your effective date will be June 1.  
In this example, you may also enroll, as part of your Initial Enrollment Period, in June, and up to 3 months after your birthday.  Your effective date will be the first of the month after you enroll.

Shawn Brown · Answer

If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. If you are not collecting Social Security benefits. In that case, you will need to contact the Social Security office online at www.ssa.gov or by phone to apply for Medicare Part B after you are officially enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. In that case, you'll want to contact a Medicare Broker to discuss your options between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans. You should select your plan within 3 months of your Medicare Parr B effective date.

Answered by Shawn Brown on April 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, CO & 7 other states

Answered by Shawn Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Laura Shipman · Answer

You may enroll in Medicare A and B three months prior to your birthday month, the month of your 65th birthday or three months after your birthday month.

Jon Kelderman · Answer

Three months before the month you turn 65 unless your birthday is on the first of the month.  For example, if you were born on September 8 you could sign up for Medicare starting June first

Kyle Kokot · Answer

If you draw a social security check already then you will be automatically enrolled. If you do not draw social security, then you can enroll into Medicare A&B 3 months before the month you turn 65. For example: If you turn 65 in the month of June then you could enroll into Medicare A&B as early as March1st.

You can submit your application to enroll into Medicare on SSA.gov website. Click on Medicare then click on Apply online

Tom Kowalczyk · Answer

The initial enrollment period for Medicare is typically a 7 month window. 

You can enroll in Medicare starting three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and up to 3 months after the month you turn 65.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

There is a 7-month window to enroll. It is as follows: A) Three months before your birthday month, B) Your actual b-day month, and C) 3 months after the b-day month. This is a grand total of 7 months! Remember, the birthday month is always the first day of that month! So, if you were born on June 22, you are eligible for Medicare on June 1st! Good luck.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

It depends on if you’re currently collecting Social Security benefits. If so, you will automatically receive a Medicare card as early as 3 months before your 65th birthday with the coverage effective the first day of your birthday month. If you’re not collecting Social Security, you can apply for Medicare Part A three months prior to your 65th birthday. The question is whether should apply for Part B at the same time which will depend on employer coverage. You can delay Part B enrollment without a penalty as long as you maintain employer group coverage even if your past age 65.

Answered by Timothy Brown on June 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Yost · Answer

You can enroll 3 months before turning 65. You can also enroll the month of your date of birth and 3 months after. This gives you 7 full months to apply when turning 65.

Shelly Hefley · Answer

You can enroll three months prior to your birthday. I was strongly suggest you talk to an agent who is a broker. Brokers can handle supplements, advantage, plans your prescription drug plans. Definitely make sure that your agent is going to help you with everything there are some agents that do not help with drug plans. Please feel free to give me a call. 812-319-5448. I will help you figure out what’s best for you.

Answered by Shelly Hefley on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL, KY & TN

Answered by Shelly Hefley Medicare Insurance Agent

Comfort Olude · Answer

You have a seven-month window to enroll in Medicare, starting three months before you turn 65 and ending three months after your birthday month.

Missing this window can lead to penalties or delayed coverage.

Alan &quot;AL&quot; Minthorn · Answer

I recommend 12-14 weeks prior to your birth month visiting the Social Security website and looking for the “Apply for Medicare” radio button. Do not procrastinate. The process typically takes a minimum of 4-6 weeks. During that time - you’ll get NO updates; then about 30 days later, you’ll get a brief email saying you’ve moved to the next step - within two weeks you’ll have your Medicare Card and about 3-4 letters.

Answered by Alan "AL" Minthorn on June 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in ME, FL, GA, NC & NH

Answered by Alan "AL" Minthorn Medicare Insurance Agent

Alicia Hoilman · Answer

Your enrollment period is 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and 3 months after your birthday. In order to receive coverage by the month of your 65th birthday, you must enroll before that month.

Answered by Alicia Hoilman on June 11, 2025

Broker Licensed in VA, DE, FL & MD

Answered by Alicia Hoilman Medicare Insurance Agent

David Koller · Answer

You can enroll 3 months before the month of your birthday, the month of your birthday or three months after the month of your birthday. Most people sign up for both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) when they’re first eligible (usually when they turn 65). Generally, there are risks to signing up later, like a gap in your coverage or having to pay a penalty. However, in some cases, it might make sense to sign up later. If you sign up for medicare prior to the month of your birthday, Medicare will start on the 1st of the month of your birthday unless your birthday is on the first of the month, then it will start on the first of the month before the month of your birthday.

Answered by David Koller on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in UT, ID & NV

Answered by David Koller Medicare Insurance Agent

Morgan Greer · Answer

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins 3 months before your birthday, your birth month, abc ends 3 months after your birth month. This 7-month IEP is the crucial time to enroll.

Peter Joseph · Answer

You can apply 3 months prior to your 65tth bday and 3 months after to avoid a penalty. Sign up for Medicare Part B by creating an account on ssa.gov.

Karen Marriner · Answer

Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before your Medicare eligibility date. For example, if your birthday is 11/25/60, your Medicare eligibility date is 11/1/2025 and you can submit your application anytime after 8/1/2025.

Answered by Karen Marriner on March 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA

Answered by Karen Marriner Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Young · Answer

3 months before you turn 65, you can enroll in Part B of Medicare and your application will be accepted 90 days before you turn 65 for a medicare supplement, medicare advantage plan, or Part D drug plan. Please keep in mind if you are on Social Security at age 64, your Part B will activated automatically at age 65 and you will receive your Medicare Card in the mail in a plain envelope. If you are currently working and not drawing social security, you need to enroll online at Medicare.gov or make an appointment to visit a Social Security office for assistance

Answered by Michael Young on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, ID, NC & NV

Answered by Michael Young Medicare Insurance Agent

Aisha Saleem · Answer

Your Original Medicare begins automatically at age 65 if you're receiving Social Security benefits. You should know all your options to decide what's best for you.

Michael Turkaly · Answer

You can enroll in Medicare Part A & Part B, 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday and 3 months after.

Robert Vitale · Answer

If you are almost 65, you should generally apply for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you may be automatically enrolled. Contact Social Security to sign up for Medicare if you're not yet receiving benefits.

Answered by Robert Vitale on May 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & OH

Answered by Robert Vitale Medicare Insurance Agent

Heith Huguet · Answer

Three months before your 65th birthday. The month of your 65th birthday. And finally three months after your 65th birthday.

Barbara Klie · Answer

When you turn 65, you have a specific period during which you can enroll in Medicare, known as the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Here’s a breakdown of the key details regarding when you can enroll:

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

•  Duration: The IEP lasts for seven months:
  ◦  Three months before your 65th birthday
  ◦  The month of your 65th birthday
  ◦  Three months after your 65th birthday

Example:
If your birthday is on April 15:
•  You can enroll starting January 1 (three months before).
•  You can enroll during April (the month of your birthday).
•  You can enroll until July 31 (three months after).

Enrollment Options

1. Original Medicare:
  ◦  Part A (Hospital Insurance): Most people do not pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
  ◦  Part B (Medical Insurance): Part B typically has a monthly premium, which can vary based on your income.

2. Medicare Advantage (Part C):
  ◦  This is an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies. You can choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during your IEP.

3. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D):
  ◦  If you want prescription drug coverage, you can enroll in a standalone Part D plan during your IEP.

Automatic Enrollment
•  If you are already receiving Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits when you turn 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. You will receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months before your 65th birthday.

Late Enrollment Penalties
•  If you do not enroll during your IEP and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (for example, if you are still working and have employer-sponsored health coverage), you may face late enrollment penalties when you do decide to enroll later.

I'm turning 65 soon, when can I enroll in Medicare?

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