Turning 65?
Your step-by-step Medicare guide.

Welcome

Congratulations — you’re almost 65!

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities or certain conditions. Signing up on time helps protect you from coverage gaps and late penalties.

1. 1Mark your enrollment window
2. 2Check your current coverage
3. 3Apply through Social Security
4. 4Choose how you get your coverage
5. 5Review your plan every year

Medicare basics

The four parts of Medicare

Parts A and B come from the government. Parts C and D come from private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

What about Medigap? A Medicare Supplement policy is not a “part” of Medicare. It works with Original Medicare to help pay certain deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, depending on the policy. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care, routine vision exams, or hearing aids.

Timing matters

When to sign up

Your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period surrounds your 65th birthday month.

1. 3 months beforeSign up early. Part B generally starts the first day of your birthday month.
2. Birthday monthIf you sign up now, Part B generally starts the next month.
3. 3 months afterYou can still sign up. Part B generally starts the month after you enroll.

Example: Turning 65 on June 14? Your window is March 1–September 30. Sign up by May 31 for coverage starting June 1.

Born on the first of the month? Your enrollment window and birthday-based coverage start move one month earlier.

Missed your window? If you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, the General Enrollment Period is January 1–March 31. Coverage starts the month after you sign up; penalties may apply.

Sign up

How to apply on SSA.gov

Already collecting Social Security? If you have received benefits at least 4 months before turning 65, you are usually enrolled automatically in Parts A and B. Your card generally arrives about 3 months before your birthday. Check its start dates.

Not collecting yet? You usually need to apply yourself. You can apply for Medicare without starting retirement benefits. There is no charge to submit an application through Social Security.

1. Go to the official Social Security sign-up page.
2. Sign in or create your my Social Security account using the sign-in option shown there.
3. Answer the questions and submit your application.
4. Check your application status and watch the mail for your Medicare card.

Have these ready for Social Security: your Social Security number, birth details, current coverage dates, employer information if applicable, and a valid email. For Part B only, have your Medicare number ready. Give these details directly to Social Security, not through this guide.

Part B only after job-based coverage? You may need CMS-40B and CMS-L564. Follow Social Security’s instructions and state your requested coverage-start month in the remarks when directed.

Prefer to call? 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. local time. Find a Social Security office.

Stay safe: Use the official .gov links above to apply for Parts A and B. Be cautious of unexpected calls asking for your Social Security or Medicare number.

Your choices

Two ways to get your coverage

The right path depends on your doctors, medicines, budget, and travel. You generally keep paying the Part B premium with either path.

Your best time to buy Medigap: The one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you are 65 or older and have Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you a policy or charge more because of health conditions. Afterward, you may face health questions, higher prices, or denial unless you have other protections.

Know the numbers

2026 costs at a glance

These are 2026 Medicare amounts, not a quote for your plan. Amounts change each year.

Part D’s cap applies to out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs, not premiums or drugs your plan does not cover. Covered insulin has no deductible and may cost less than $35. Hospital and skilled nursing benefits have eligibility and benefit-period rules.

Higher income? In 2026, most people with 2024 income above $109,000 single or $218,000 married filing jointly pay an extra amount for Parts B and D, called IRMAA. Other filing statuses have different rules.

Avoid lasting late penalties

• Part B: Usually an extra 10% of the standard premium for each full 12 months you could have had Part B but did not, unless an exception applies. You generally pay it as long as you have Part B.
• Part D: After a gap of 63 or more consecutive days without Part D or creditable drug coverage after your enrollment window, the penalty is 1% of the national base premium for each full uncovered month. The 2026 base is $38.99, not your plan premium. The penalty is generally ongoing and can change annually.
• Medigap: No late-enrollment fee, but missing your protected window can make a policy harder to get or more expensive.

Need help paying? Extra Help can lower prescription costs. Medicare Savings Programs may help pay your Part B premium and other costs. Learn about Extra Help, or ask your agent about applying.

Stay on track

Your Turning 65 checklist

Dates to remember every year

October 15–December 7

Annual Enrollment: make Medicare Advantage or Part D changes for January 1. This is not a guaranteed Medigap enrollment window.

January 1–March 31 · Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

If you already have Medicare Advantage, make one switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan.

January 1–March 31 · General Enrollment

Late sign-up for Part B or premium Part A when you do not qualify for another enrollment period.