If you’re turning 65, Medicare is probably on your mind. One of the first things people ask me is when exactly do I need to sign up? The answer matters more than most people realize. Get the timing right and your coverage starts smoothly. Get it wrong and you could face penalties that follow you for life.
Let me walk you through it.
Your Initial Enrollment Period
When you turn 65, Medicare gives you a 7-month window to get your Part A and Part B started called your Initial Enrollment Period, or IEP. It works like this:
- 3 months before the month you turn 65
- The month you turn 65
- 3 months after the month you turn 65
So if your birthday is in June, your window runs from March through September. That’s your primary opportunity to get into Medicare without any issues.
My recommendation? Don’t wait until the month of your birthday. If you enroll in the 3 months before you turn 65, your coverage starts on the 1st of the month of your birthday. If you wait until your birthday month or after, your start date gets pushed back.
After You Enroll in Medicare, You Still Need to Choose a Plan
A lot of people don’t realize this. When you sign up for Medicare Parts A and B, that’s Original Medicare — and on its own it only covers about 80% of your costs. You still need to decide how you want to handle the rest.
That means choosing between a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare Supplement plan, and a standalone Part D plan.
This is the step most people need the most help with — and it’s what I can help you with. Once you’re enrolled in Medicare, I’ll help you compare every plan available in your area and find the one that fits your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget.
What If I’m Still Working at 65?
This is one of the most common situations I deal with here in Mesa and the East Valley. If you or your spouse is still working at 65 and you have coverage through an employer with 20 or more employees, you can delay Medicare without any penalty. Your employer coverage counts as creditable coverage.
However — and this is important — once that employer coverage ends, you only have 8 months to enroll in Medicare before penalties kick in. That window is called a Special Enrollment Period.
If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, the rules are different and you generally need to enroll in Medicare at 65 regardless.
What Happens If You Miss the Window?
If you don’t have a valid reason for delaying and you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, here’s what happens:
Part B late enrollment penalty: Your Part B premium goes up 10% for every 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll. And it stays higher permanently. Miss two years and you’re paying 20% more than everyone else EVERY month, for the rest of your life.
Part D late enrollment penalty: Similar situation with prescription drug coverage. If you go 63 or more days without creditable drug coverage, you’ll pay a penalty added to your Part D premium permanently.
These penalties are the thing I see surprise people most often. Nobody tells them until it’s too late.
Special Situations Worth Knowing
A few situations that come up regularly in my conversations with people here in Arizona:
Turning 65 but not collecting Social Security yet: You won’t be automatically enrolled in Medicare. You need to sign up yourself at ssa.gov or by calling Social Security.
Already collecting Social Security before 65: You’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday.
COBRA coverage: COBRA does not count as creditable coverage for Medicare purposes. If you’re on COBRA and you turn 65, you still need to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period.
The Bottom Line
The best time to start thinking about Medicare is 3 to 4 months before your 65th birthday. That gives you enough time to understand your options, compare plans, and make a decision without rushing. The worst thing you can do is put it off and assume it’ll sort itself out.
I help people through this process every day here in Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler. There’s no cost to work with me and no pressure — just a clear conversation about your specific situation.
Call me at 480-296-5804 or fill out the form and I’ll reach out at a time that works for you.
Andy Childs is a licensed Medicare broker based in Mesa, Arizona.