When To Enroll in Medicare
This article answers the question: "When Do I Enroll In Medicare?" It is a primer, reviewing the different and important enrollment dates for Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap. For questions, you can always call Medicare directly at 800.633.4227 (1.800.MEDICARE) or see the Medicare Resource section below.
Initial Medicare Enrollment Period
The time to start thinking about enrolling in Medicare for the first time is around your 65th birthday. The initial enrollment period is extremely important because missing the enrollment period can mean higher health insurance costs forever! Make sure to enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B (three months
before, the month of, and three months after).
- For example, if you were born on August 2, 1952, you would be turning 65 on August 2, 2017. Your initial enrollment window would then be between May 1st and November 30th 2017.
One must to enroll in Medicare Part A and B in order to enroll in Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medigap / Medicare Supplement. If you require prescription drug coverage (who doesn’t), be sure to enroll for Medicare Part C / Medicare Advantage (with a drug plan) or a Part D Plan in the same initial enrollment period (the seven calendar months surrounding your 65th birthday). If you
fail to do so, you may wind up paying more for Part D Prescription coverage forever.
- TIP: if you are approaching your 65th birthday (enrolling for the first time): be safe and get Part A and B AND either Medicare Advantage (Part C) with a drug plan or Part D Prescription Drug Plan. Pay more now and then scale back rather than paying a penalty for enrolling late (for life).
How to Enroll in Original Medicare
To enroll in Medicare Part A and B, go to and sign up online, or visit a local social security office, or call 800.772.1213.
Dangers of Late Medicare Enrollment
If you fail to take Medicare when you are initially eligible (and don't have other coverage that is considered allowed by Medicare) or don't have any other coverage, you will likely face higher Medicare premiums (because penalties are assessed) when you enroll later in life. Your Part B coverage will increase by 10% per year that you failed to start Medicare Part B when you otherwise could have.
The late-enrollment Medicare penalty will not apply if you are of age and receive health insurance from you or your spouse's current employer. The penalty will apply for retiree health plans and COBRA health insurance plans.
Subsequent Medicare Enrollment Periods
After you have initially enrolled (or if you missed your initial enrollment period), subsequent enrollment periods for Medicare are as follows:
Medicare Part A and B | Original Medicare Enrollment Periods
- Every year, January 1st through March 31st is the general enrollment period. Coverage would then start that July 1st.
- Once 65 years old and enrolled in Medicare Part B, you have six months to purchase a Medigap policy.
- Annual Election Period (Open Enrollment for Medicare): October 15 – December 7 can switch to Medicare Advantage or different Prescription drug coverage plan.
Medicare Part C | Medicare Advantage Dates
- Initial Election Period: same as above (in the seven months surrounding 65th birthday)
- Annual Election Period (Open Enrollment for Medicare): October 15 through December 7, can switch to Original Medicare or another Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Special Dis-enrollment Period: January 1 through February 14 can leave Medicare Advantage and switch to an Original Medicare plan.
Special Enrollment Period
Once your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you may have the chance to sign up for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period. If you're covered based on current employment, you have a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B any time as long as you or your spouse (or family member if you're disabled) is working, and you're covered by a group health plan through the employer.
If you (or your spouse) are currently working, and you're covered by an employer or union group health plan based on that employment, and you are turning 65, ask your employer or union benefits administrator if they require you to sign up for Medicare. If the employer doesn't require you to sign up for Medicare right away, you can sign up within the 8 month special enrollment period that starts the month after the employment ends (or the group health plan based on current employment ends, whichever comes first).
More on Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, during which you can freely enroll in or switch plans, runs from October 15 to December 7. Don't let this period slip by without shopping around to see whether your current choices are the best ones for you.
During this period you may enroll in a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan or, if you currently have a plan, you may change plans. In addition, during the seven-week period you can return to traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) from a Medicare Advantage (Part C, managed care) plan, enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, or change Advantage plans. Beneficiaries can go to www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to make changes in their Medicare prescription drug and health plan coverage.
According to the New York Times, few Medicare beneficiaries take advantage of open enrollment, but of those that do, nearly half cut their premiums by at least 5 percent. Even beneficiaries who have been satisfied with their plans in 2020 should review their choices for 2021, as both premiums and plan coverage can fluctuate from year to year. Are the doctors you use still part of your Medicare Advantage plan’s provider network? Have any of the prescriptions you take been dropped from your prescription plan’s list of covered drugs (the “formulary”)? Could you save money with the same coverage by switching to a different plan?
For answers to questions like these, carefully look over the plan's "Annual Notice of Change" letter to you. Prescription drug plans can change their premiums, deductibles, the list of drugs they cover, and their plan rules for covered drugs, exceptions, and appeals. Medicare Advantage plans can change their benefit packages, as well as their provider networks.
Medicare Resources
When and How to Sign Up For Medicare Part A and Part B
When and How to Sign Up for Medicare Part C and Part D
When Can I Obtain a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan
What Is the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?
