ENROLLING IN MEDICARE WHEN TURNING 65

Automatic Enrollment vs Non-Automatic:

If you're close to 65, but NOT getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you'll need to sign up for Medicare. Contact Social Security 3 months before you turn 65. 

You can apply at: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/

If you're already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you'll automatically get Part A and Part B starting on the first day of the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month)

If you're automatically enrolled, you'll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday.

Enrollment and Coverage:

You can first sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.

If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the first 3 months of your initial Enrollment Period, in most cases, your coverage begins the first day of your birthday month. However, if your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage will start the first day of the prior month.

If you enroll in and are paying for Part A and/or Part B the month you turn 65 or during the last 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, , the start date for your Part B coverage will be delayed.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ENROLLMENT PERIODS HERE