When to enroll in Medicare
When can I enroll in Medicare?
Most people enroll in Medicare for the first time around age 65. Some people become eligible sooner with a qualifying disability or medical condition. And some people who work past age 65 choose to delay enrollment.
Will I be enrolled in Medicare automatically at 65?
How do I enroll in Medicare when I turn 65?
What are all the Medicare enrollment periods?
When can I enroll in Medicare if I have a disability or medical condition?
Do I need Medicare if I work past age 65?
Do I need Medicare if I am covered by my spouse’s insurance?
Is Medicare eligibility the same as Social Security eligibility?
Will I be enrolled in Medicare automatically at 65?
If you start receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits before you turn 65, you should be enrolled in Medicare automatically.
If you are not enrolled automatically, you will need to sign up by yourself. You can enroll in Original Medicare online at www.ssa.gov, in person at your local Social Security office or by phone at 1-800-772-1213 / TTY 1-800-325-0778.
You may not be notified when you will become eligible, so find your Initial Enrollment Period dates and put them in your calendar.
How do I enroll in Medicare when I turn 65?
If you first become eligible to enroll in Medicare because you are turning 65, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months afterward.
During your IEP, you can enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B), a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D prescription drug plan without penalty. (Medicare Advantage plans may not be available in all states/territories.)
Check your Medicare eligibility
See if you qualify for Medicare based on age, retirement or disability
What are all the Medicare enrollment periods?
When can I enroll in Medicare if I have a disability or medical condition?
With a qualifying disability, you should become eligible for Medicare after you have received SSDI benefits for 24 months. Your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period will include your 25th month of disability, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
You may also qualify for Medicare due to Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Your IEP may depend on your diagnosis.
Learn more about Medicare enrollment with a disability or medical condition
Do I need Medicare if I work past age 65?
If you expect to continue working past age 65, you may want to delay enrolling in Medicare. If you have health coverage from your employer or are covered under a spouse’s employer plan, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, and be able to delay enrolling without penalty.
In some situations, such as working for an employer with fewer than 20 employees, you may still be required to take full Medicare benefits at age 65 even if you plan to keep working.
If I delay Medicare now, how do I enroll later?
If you are eligible for Medicare coverage, delay enrollment past age 65 and have health insurance through your employer, you can enroll later in a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you retire or lose coverage. During this 8-month period, you can enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B).
You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D prescription drug plan, but you only get the first 2 months of your SEP to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan without penalty. (Medicare Advantage plans may not be available in all states/territories.)
Learn more about working past 65 and the Special Enrollment Period
Do I need Medicare if I am covered by my spouse’s insurance?
If you have insurance through a spouse’s employer, you may be able to delay enrollment in Medicare past age 65. This depends on the employer’s rules for covered dependents of Medicare age. Talk with the employer’s benefits administrator to learn what you can do about Medicare enrollment.
Is Medicare eligibility the same as Social Security eligibility?
No. Medicare eligibility and benefits are separate from Social Security eligibility and benefits.
You can enroll in Medicare at age 65 or with a qualifying disability or medical condition. Your Social Security eligibility depends what year you were born, when you retire and other factors.
How will enrollment affect my Health Savings Account (HSA)?
Once you enroll in Medicare Part A or Part B, you can no longer make pre-tax contributions to your HSA. If you plan to keep working and contributing to an HSA, check to see if you’re eligible to delay Medicare enrollment.
If you receive Social Security benefits, Part A is generally automatic and coverage is retroactive for up to 6 months. This means you should plan to stop contributing to your HSA about 6 months before enrolling in Medicare.
You can keep contributing to your HSA if you are eligible for Medicare but have not enrolled yet. And even after you enroll in Medicare and stop HSA contributions, you can still withdraw funds tax-free for some Medicare expenses and qualified medical expenses.
Get your comprehensive Medicare guide
Sign up below to get a comprehensive Medicare guide and seven-part educational email series to help you navigate the Medicare enrollment process. The series will:
- Tell you when your Initial Enrollment Period begins
- Teach you about Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B
- Provide information about private Medicare plan options, including Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap) plans
You will also get tips for how to choose the right plan, learn about key things to keep in mind when choosing Medicare coverage, and more.
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The above fields are required. Your birthdate will be used to determine your Initial Enrollment Period dates and to send you the most timely and relevant information for your situation.
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