What Happens When I Turn 65?

Turning 65 usually marks your first chance to enroll in Medicare. Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window: the three months before your 65th birthday month, the birthday month itself, and the three months after. Enrolling during the first three months helps ensure your coverage starts on time without a delay.

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you are typically enrolled automatically in Parts A and B. If you are not receiving benefits yet, you usually need to sign up yourself through Social Security. Many people enroll in premium-free Part A even if they keep working, but Part B timing depends on whether you have other qualifying coverage.

Once you have Parts A and B, you can decide how to round out your coverage, such as adding a Part D drug plan, a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, or choosing a Medicare Advantage plan instead. Because these decisions affect your costs and access to care, it helps to compare your options carefully, and a licensed Medicare advisor can walk you through the choices.

A good first step is to make a list of your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget, then use those details to compare the plans available in your area. Acting early in your enrollment window gives you time to ask questions and avoid rushing a decision. Getting your coverage in place before your birthday month helps ensure there is no gap when you become eligible.