I’m turning 65, what now?
Check your current coverage and enrollment dates first. Then decide how you want to get your Medicare benefits.
Use these five checks in whatever order helps you. If you are helping someone else, use their coverage and dates.
Find your enrollment dates
For most people first eligible at 65, the initial enrollment period lasts seven months: the three months before your birthday month, that month, and the three months after.
What changes the answer: A birthday on the first day of a month changes the timing. Current employment coverage or earlier Medicare eligibility can also change which dates apply. When you sign up affects when coverage starts.
Check your current coverage
Before changing insurance, find out how your current coverage works with Medicare.
What changes the answer: Coverage through your or your spouse’s current employment may let you delay Part B, but confirm who pays first. COBRA, retiree insurance, and Marketplace coverage follow different rules. Check drug coverage and HSA contributions separately; Medicare enrollment can affect HSA contribution eligibility, including through retroactive coverage.
Official sources
Confirm whether you need to apply
Some people receive Parts A and B automatically. Others need to apply through Social Security or, for railroad benefits, the Railroad Retirement Board.
What changes the answer: Receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits at least four months before turning 65 generally means automatic enrollment. In Puerto Rico, Part B requires a separate sign-up. Applying for Medicare and deciding when to claim retirement income are separate decisions.
Choose how to get your coverage
You can use Original Medicare, with separate drug coverage and a Supplement if appropriate, or get Medicare benefits through an Advantage plan.
What changes the answer: Current insurance and your care needs matter. Medigap’s six-month open enrollment period starts in the first month you are 65 or older and have Part B. Outside protected periods, health questions or state rules may affect buying a policy. Advantage and drug plans have their own enrollment windows.
Check doctors, medicines, and costs
Check whether the coverage works for the care you actually use, as well as care you might need later.
What changes the answer: Doctors, drug lists, pharmacies, and costs vary by plan and year. Consider both premiums and costs when you use care. Help with premiums or prescriptions may be available.
Official sources checked . Check current amounts and plan details before making a decision.
Hawkins Insurance Group, LLC is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.