When to enroll for Medicare Part A and B, Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage), Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Return to Navigating Medicare main page.
CMS is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare is a department under the CMS.
The Official U.S. Government Medicare Handbook.
From CMS: Original Medicare (Part A and B) Eligibility and Enrollment
CMS Fact Sheet: Deciding Whether to Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B When You Turn 65
IMPORTANT: Keep track of when to enroll for the various parts of Medicare. If you don’t enroll during the correct periods, you may be penalized or you may not be able to obtain Medicare Supplement Coverage (Medigap) because of pre-existing conditions. When to enroll for Medicare Supplement Coverage (Medigap).
It is recommended you start researching Medicare enrollment periods six months prior to turning 65. The enrollment periods may vary depending on the Medicare product (Part A (hospitalization), Part B (medical), Part C (Medicare Advantage), Part D (Prescription Drugs, Medicare Supplement (Medigap). Enrollment may also vary if you (or your spouse) are still working and are still on an employer provided group health insurance (yours or your spouses).
Typical enrollments:
- Medicare Part A (hospitalization) via Social Security Administration – Initial Enrollment Period
- Medicare Part B (medical) via Social Security Administration – Initial Enrollment Period
- Medicare Part D (prescription drugs) via private insurance carrier – Initial Enrollment Period
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) via private insurance carrier – Medigap Open Enrollment Period
- Alternative to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage (Part C) via private insurance carrier, which typically includes Medicare Parts A, B, D. A Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) is not available when enrolling with Medicare Advantage. – Initial Enrollment Period
Prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are purchased from private companies/insurers that are approved by Medicare. Often when electing to go with Medicare Advantage (Part C), prescription drugs (Medicare Part D) will be included in the Medicare Advantage plan.
Understanding Medicare Part C (Advantage) & Part D (prescription drugs) Enrollment Periods.
You will enroll for Medicare through the Social Security Administration.
Here as some important Social Security links about Medicare.
Apply online for Medicare even if you are not ready to retire
When to enroll for Medicare Part A and Part B, Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage), Medicare Advantage (Part C):
When to enroll for Medicare Parts A, B, C, or D can vary depending on:
if you are already on Social Security
if you are not on Social Security
if you are working and get health insurance from your employer (can differ if an employer has fewer than 20 employees – see Note at bottom of page link).
You can apply for Medicare online, by phone or in person.
Apply for Medicare online here via the Social Security Administration
Apply for Medicare by phone – Call 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Apply for Medicare in person – Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.) You can find the local Social Security office here. Most, if not all, Social Security offices are now open to the public. You should be aware that the offices are very busy and appointments should be made before visiting an office. Even with an appointment there could be long wait times.
(No longer applicable: On March 17, 2020, Social Security suspended face-to-face service to the public in field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice. However, critical services are still provided via phone, fax and online. You can use the local office lookup to obtain additional phone numbers).
When to enroll for Medicare if you are already on Social Security:
If you already get Social Security benefits, you do not need to sign up for Medicare. “They will automatically enroll you in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) when you become eligible. They will mail you the information a few months before you become eligible. Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down. However, if you decide to sign up for Part B later, your coverage can be delayed and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. ”
Also refer to the Medicare “How do I sign up for Medicare” page. If you did not sign up for Social Security benefits “at least 4 months before you turned 65″ then you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B (if applicable). You will only get Medicare Part B if you chose you wanted Part B when you signed up for benefits. Keep in mind, ” if you decide to sign up for Part B later, your coverage can be delayed and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage.
When coverage starts: The first day of the month, unless your birthday is on the first day of the month, then Medicare Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.
You’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday.
If you want to obtain Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage, or use a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) you need to sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period. You can’t sign up for both. The Medicare Part D plan is for those who elect to use Original Medicare. The Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare. via private insurance carrier, which typically includes Medicare Parts A, B, D. A Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) is only available to those who elect to use Original Medicare, it is not available when enrolling with Medicare Advantage
The Initial Enrollment period is a 7 month period including 3 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after you turn 65,
However, if possible, you should really sign up in the 3 months prior to your 65th birthday month.
If you want to obtain a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap), you need to sign up during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period. During that time you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems. This period automatically starts the month you’re 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy. If you’re able to buy one, it may cost more.
IMPORTANT: See the separate topic on Enrollment Periods for more information on signing up for Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage, when going with Original Medicare. If you do not sign up for Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage, in the Initial Enrollment Period when going with Original Medicare, you may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment.
IMPORTANT: Follow this link for more information on signing up for a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) when going with Original Medicare.
IMPORTANT: See the separate topic on Enrollment Periods for more information on signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) that will probably include prescription drug coverage, (Medicare Part D) (not Original Medicare).
When to enroll for Medicare if you are NOT already on Social Security:
If you aren’t getting benefits from Social Security (or the RRB) at least 4 months before you turn 65, you’ll need to sign up with Social Security to get Medicare Part A and Part B. Check out the “C. You can continue working and not receive your retirement benefits. “ section on this Social Security “Your Options: Working, Applying for Retirement Benefits, or Both?” page.
You should sign up for Medicare three months before reaching age 65, even if you are not ready to start receiving retirement benefits. You can opt out of receiving Social Security cash retirement benefits now. Then you can apply for retirement benefits later.
You will need to sign up for Medicare during the 7 month Initial Enrollment Period, if you weren’t automatically signed up because you are already receiving Social Security Benefits. The 7 month Initial Enrollment Period includes three (3) months prior to the month of your birthday, e.g. your birthday month is October, you should sign up in July, August, or September, your birthday month, and the three months after your birthday month. If you don’t enroll during the correct periods, you may be penalized or you may not be able to obtain Medicare Supplemental Coverage (Medigap) because of pre-existing conditions.
However, if possible, you should really sign up in the 3 months prior to your 65th birthday month.
Most people should enroll in Part A when they turn 65, but certain people may choose to delay Part B. Most people sign up for Part B unless they get qualified health insurance through their employment or their spouse’s employment. Find out more about whether you should take Part B. You do not want to delay getting Part B unless certain criteria are met or you will be penalized with a monthly late enrollment penalty.
If you are eligible for the no premium Medicare Part A, you should go ahead and sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period. There is no premium for Medicare Part A insurance if you (or another qualifying person, like your current or former spouse) paid Medicare taxes for 40 plus quarters (10 years) and sign up in the Initial Enrollment Period.
Will you choose to delay Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)? In most cases it depends on the type of health coverage you currently may have, e.g. health coverage through employer (20 or more employees), through spouse’s employer (20 or more employees), retiree coverage). It is always best to go ahead and sign up for Medicare part A even if you are still covered by employer or other insurance since Part A does not have a premium in the majority of cases.
If you wait until the month you turn 65 (or the 3 months after you turn 65) to enroll, your Part B coverage will be delayed. This could cause a gap in your coverage.
In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty. You’ll have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Part B. Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you meet certain conditions that allow you to sign up for Part B during a Special Enrollment Period.
You can apply for Medicare online, by phone or in person.
Apply for Medicare online here via the Social Security Administration.
Apply for Medicare by phone – Call 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Apply for Medicare in person – Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.) You can find the local Social Security office here. Most, if not all, Social Security offices are now open to the public. You should be aware that the offices are very busy and appointments should be made before visiting an office. Even with an appointment there could be long wait times.
(No longer applicable: On March 17, 2020, during the COVID 19 pandemic, Social Security suspended face-to-face service to the public in field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice. However, critical services are still provided via phone, fax and online. You can use the local office lookup to obtain additional phone numbers).
When coverage starts: Your coverage start date will depend on when you sign up.
Your Medicare Part B coverage will start on the first day of the month you turn 65 only if you signed up in the three months before your birthday or during your birthday month. If you enroll during the three months after your birthday, your Medicare Part B coverage will begin two to three months after you enroll.
If you don’t sign up for Medicare during the Initial Enrollment Period, you may be able to sign up during a Special Enrollment Period, or during the General Enrollment Period. Scroll down to view the information on the different enrollment periods. It is important to keep in mind you must sign up for Medicare during the correct enrollment period to avoid penalties and additional costs.
If you want to obtain Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage, or use a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) you need to sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period. There are other options, e.g. open enrollment period, but you must be careful to sign up at the correct time to avoid late enrollment penalties.
If you want to obtain a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap), you need to sign up during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period. During that time you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems. This period automatically starts the month you’re 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy. If you’re able to buy one, it may cost more. You should research the available plans and contact the insurance company prior to turning 65. That way you will ensure you do not get behind and miss a couple of months coverage or lose eligibility.
IMPORTANT: See the separate topic on Enrollment Periods for more information on signing up for Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage, when going with Original Medicare. If you do not sign up for Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage, in the Initial Enrollment Period when going with Original Medicare, you may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment.
IMPORTANT: Follow this link for more information on signing up for a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) when going with Original Medicare.
IMPORTANT: See the separate topic on Enrollment Periods for more information on signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) that will probably include prescription drug coverage, (Medicare Part D) (not Original Medicare).
If you have Employer Insurance Coverage, there are additional decisions to make:
You may sign up during the Initial enrollment period or the Special enrollment period. It is critical to sign up for Medicare when you will not be subject to any penalties, pre-existing conditions, etc.
You should enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) when you are first eligible (even if they have group insurance coverage through their employer). Certain people may choose to delay Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), but it is critical to ensure you will not be subject to any penalties, pre-existing condition limitations, etc. before you elect to delay Part B. In addition, if your or your spouse’s employer have less than 20 employees you will probably need to sign up for Part B.
If you are eligible for the premium-free Medicare Part A, you should go ahead and sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period. There is no premium for Medicare Part A insurance if you paid Medicare taxes for 40 plus quarters (10 years) and sign up in the Initial Enrollment Period.
If you didn’t enroll when you were first eligible (during the Initial enrollment period), the size of the employer determines whether you have to pay a penalty if you enroll later. Learn more about whether you should get Parts A and B and what happens when your employment or coverage ends.
However, you should sign up for Part A when you turn 65 if at all possible.
You or your spouse (or family member if you’re disabled) is working.
You’re covered by a group health plan through the employer or union based on that work.
You also have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B that starts at one of these times (whichever happens first) (scroll down to the Special Situations (Special Enrollment Period) section, to the “Have or had health insurance through your job, your spouse’s job” part):
The month after the employment ends
The month after group health plan insurance based on current employment ends
Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period.
You should check with your employer group health insurance coverage administrator and with Social Security/Medicare to determine when you should sign up for Medicare Parts A & B, as well as getting more information on signing up for Part C (Medicare Advantage) if applicable, Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) if applicable, and Medigap. However, you should sign up for Part A when you turn 65 if at all possible.
If your employer has fewer than 20 employees.
You should sign up for Part A and Part B when you’re first eligible (at or before when you turn 65). In this case, Medicare pays before your other coverage. Learn more about how to get Parts A and B.
If you have Employer Insurance Coverage, there are additional decisions to make. These additional decisions may be different if the employer has fewer than 20 employees.
You may sign up during the Initial enrollment period or the Special enrollment period. It is critical to sign up for Medicare when you will not be subject to any penalties, pre-existing conditions, etc.