Medicare Questions & Answers: Turning 65
Turning 65 Q&A
Showing 18 questions
I'm turning 65 next month; what are the first steps I should take regarding Medicare enrollment?
Enrollment Period (IEP), which is a 7-month window that includes:3 months before your 65th birthday month
Your birthday month
3 months after
Here are the first steps you should take:
1. Determine if you need to enroll now
If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
If you're not receiving Social Security, you’ll need to manually enroll via the Social Security website or call them.
2. Decide if you want Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare = Part A (hospital) + Part B (medical), with the option to add:
a Part D drug plan, and
a Medigap supplement (to cover costs Original Medicare doesn’t)
Medicare Advantage (Part C) = All-in-one plan offered by private insurers (includes Part A, Part B, usually Part D, and often extras like dental/vision)
3. Compare plans
Work with a licensed Medicare agent (like me!) who can help you compare plans from multiple companies — based on your doctors, prescriptions, and budget.
4. Enroll on time
Enrolling during your IEP helps you avoid:
Late enrollment penalties (especially for Part B and Part D)
Gaps in coverage
If a senior is turning 65 but still working, should they enroll in Medicare or delay it?
If you have employer-based health insurance through your or a spouse's current employment, where there are more than 20 employees, and you're happy with the costs, such as monthly deductions/premiums and coverage, like potential out-of-pocket costs, you can delay Medicare enrollment without accruing penalties. If this is you, it's best to schedule a quick call so we can discuss your situation. Chad
Will I be penalized if I do not enroll in Medicare when I turn 65?
Yes, you may be penalized in two ways or reasons. If you don't have credible health insurance coverage, you will be punished for not having Part B once you turn 65; this is called the Part B enrollment penalty, applicable if you don't have credible health insurance in place. Second, you will be penalized if you don't have credible health insurance with prescription drug coverage in place by the time you qualify for Medicare. You must pay these penalties each month for the rest of your life.
I am on disability insurance Medicare now I will be 65 in October do I have to to sign up for Medicare again?
Since you’re already on Medicare due to disability insurance and will turn 65 in October 2025, you do not need to sign up for Medicare again. When you turn 65, your Medicare coverage will continue seamlessly, but your eligibility reason shifts from disability to age. This happens automatically—no need to reapply.
I'm turning 65 soon, when can I enroll in Medicare?
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.
I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now or can I wait?
You can wait as long as you are maintaining employer coverage. Medicare part A will still get assigned to you but (as long as you are not receiving SS benefits) not part B. When you do choose to leave employer coverage make sure you visit SSA.gov and “apply for Medicare part B only”. Keep in mind this may take at least a few weeks and you may have to collect some signatures from your employers HR dept so start this process at least a month before you plan on quitting/ leaving employer coverage.
I'm turning 65 next month and the amount of Medicare mail I'm getting is overwhelming. How do I sort through all this?
My advice to people is to put all of it aside. If you try and read all of it your head will explode. Find an Independent Medicare Broker and use them as your Adviser, their services are free and if you choose one that only does Medicare, you'll be getting an expert
I've been on disability for years and am about to turn 65. Do I automatically get Medicare because I'm on Social Security, or do I need to do something?
If you already have Medicare benefits due to disability, you just continue to have your Medicare benefit. If you like to change your plan such as the Medicare supplement plan, you are eligible to an open enrollment period that begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday. Please ask your Medicare insurance agent.If you don't have Medicare benefits now and have enough Medicare credit, you will automatically receive your medicare benefit.
I prefer to access to Social Security Administration on WEBSITE.
https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up
I'm planning to delay Social Security until age 70, but I'm turning 65 soon. How does this affect my Medicare enrollment?
You can still enroll at 65. You will need to do this from the SSA website or by visitin your SSA office.If you don't enroll at 65 and don't have coverage through a group plan you will be penalized 1% per month for each month you don't have coverage.
You will be billed by Medicare for your part B premium 3 months at a time.
Do I have to apply for Medicare if I am still working past 65?
If you are happy with your creditable employer plan, or if you are carry dependants on that plan, you can delay Medicare without penalties. You will get a special election to enroll in Medicare when you retire or when your dependants are eligible for other coverage. You can enroll in Medicare Part A only this time since it is generally free of premium. If you contribute to an HSA, delay Part A for now -IRS rules do not allow HSA contributions once you have a Medicare number!
I live in Tennessee, turn 65 in August, and signed up for Medicare Part A only. I have coverage through my wife’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, which she’ll keep for about seven more years. Will I owe a penalty now or later if I wait until she retires to get Part B?
You will not owe a penalty as long as you have creditable coverage that Medicare allows. Sometimes people do not know if there coverage is considered creditable and even the HR depts do not truly know if it's actually creditable coverage. Plus getting a Medicare Supplement at 65 allows you to get the lowest rate since it's based on age, gender and zipcode. I always suggest getting Medicare + Supplement Plan instead of keeping employer group coverage since the coverage is better on Medicare + Supplement and it's more cost effective long term.Why do so many seniors wait until the last minute to enroll in Medicare, and how can agents help prevent bad decisions?
Why Seniors Delay Enrollment:1. Lack of Awareness or Understanding
Many seniors aren’t fully aware of their Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), the penalties for late enrollment, or the options they have. They might assume they’ll automatically be enrolled or think they don’t need to worry until a later time.
2. Fear or Overwhelm
The Medicare system can feel overwhelming with its various parts (A, B, C, D, Medigap). The fear of making the wrong choice often leads to procrastination.
3. Health or Work Factors
If seniors are still working or have employer-provided health insurance, they may think they can delay Medicare enrollment without consequences. However, this can be risky if their employer insurance isn’t considered "creditable" (as good as Medicare).
4. Waiting for a "Perfect" Plan
Some seniors wait until they are sure about which plan is best, hoping to get more information or thinking they’ll figure it out later. However, waiting can often result in missed opportunities or more limited choices.
I'm a green card holder who's been in the US for 4 years and turning 65 soon. Am I eligible for Medicare?
You must have lived in the US for a min of 5 years. At that time you will likely have a Premium for Part A as well as the normal Part B premium since you have not lived her and worked at least 40 Quarters.
I am a member of a federally recognized tribe here in Arizona. I receive all my medical needs through the Indian Health Service at no cost. Do I still have to have Medicare?
IHS, Indian Health Services, is not health insurance, and it is only available at tribal clinics throughout their nations. Working with many Native Americans in Oklahoma, I have seen that having Medicare alongside the IHS can help provide healthcare providers and specialists outside their IHS clinics and hospitals. Some may find that having this dual coverage will give them the best Healthcare anywhere in the USA.
I’ll be turning 65 in April. I have full VA coverage and good hospital and doctor coverage through Eisenhower here in the desert. The VA doesn’t provide dental care. Do I still need to enroll in Medicare, and if so, which part makes sense for my situation?
I always advise Veterans to pick up both A and B. Having Part B gives you options and choices outside the VA. I am a Vietnam Veterans widow and understand some of the challenges and limitations when using and dealing with the VA. I hear Vets complain about the Part B premium but there could be ways to minimize that cost depending on what is available in your area. If you delay your Part B, if you want to add it in the future you will have to pay a penalty so I never advise that because it could cost even more with the penalty.
I am on ssi Disability. I turn 65 in June. I also just got Humana health. So does it be change to SSI?? Or does my SSI -Disabiliy just go on til death.
If you are on SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance):SSDI is an insurance program you earn by working and paying Social Security taxes.
When you reach full retirement age (currently 66–67, depending on your birth year), your SSDI automatically converts to Social Security retirement benefits.
You don't need to do anything — the switch happens automatically.
The amount of your monthly check usually stays exactly the same — it just becomes classified as "retirement" instead of "disability."
This change can sometimes affect things like work incentives or how other benefits are calculated, but it does not reduce your payment.
What happens to my Medicare coverage when I turn 65 if I'm already on Medicare due to disability?
When you turn 65 you have a new enrollment period and can enroll in a medicare supplement plan with out underwriting and be able to get a new Part d plan .I'm self-employed and turning 65 — how do I transition to Medicare without employer coverage?
Go to wwa ssa.gov 3 months before you turn 65 and enroll in medicare A & BThen you can decide on either a supplement plan or an advantage plan depending on your budget
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