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Your Medicare Enrollment Timeline
6 months before your 65th birthday
- Check whether you will be automatically enrolled (if you receive Social Security or RRB benefits)
- Understand your Initial Enrollment Period (7-month window: 3 months before, your birthday month, 3 months after)
- Review your current health insurance and whether it is creditable coverage
- Talk to your employer's HR if you have employer-sponsored coverage
- Begin researching Medicare options: Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans, Part D
3 months before your 65th birthday
- Apply for Medicare Part A and Part B at ssa.gov/medicare/apply (if not automatically enrolled)
- Decide whether to enroll in Part B or delay (only delay if you have qualifying employer coverage)
- Begin comparing Medigap plans if you plan to use Original Medicare
- Begin comparing Medicare Advantage plans if you prefer that route
- Begin comparing Part D drug plans at Medicare.gov/plan-compare
- Check that your doctors accept Medicare
Your 65th birthday month
- Confirm your Medicare card has arrived (or track your application)
- Enroll in Medigap during your Open Enrollment Period (guaranteed issue — no medical underwriting)
- Enroll in a Part D drug plan
- Or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (if you chose that route)
- Notify your current insurance company of your Medicare enrollment
After your Medicare starts
- Verify your Medicare card and coverage effective dates
- Confirm your doctors accept Medicare
- Review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements
- Set a reminder to review your Part D plan during Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
- Keep your Medicare card in a safe place — do not carry it in your wallet
The 3 Key Decisions When Turning 65
Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
This is the foundational decision. Original Medicare gives you freedom to see any Medicare provider nationwide. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that usually has networks, lower premiums, and extra benefits.
Compare Medigap vs Medicare Advantage →If Original Medicare: Which Medigap Plan?
If you choose Original Medicare, you will likely want a Medigap plan to cover your cost-sharing. Plan G and Plan N are the most popular for new enrollees. This is the best time to enroll — during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you have guaranteed issue rights and cannot be denied or charged more for pre-existing conditions.
Part D Drug Coverage
Even if you take no medications, consider joining a low-premium Part D plan to avoid the permanent late enrollment penalty. The penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($38.99/month in 2026) for each month you go without creditable drug coverage.
Learn About Part D →