When to Enroll in Medicare

When you turn 65

When you turn 65, you become eligible for Medicare, but you aren’t required to enroll if you (or your spouse) already carry creditable employer-sponsored coverage. Before making any decisions, talk with your HR or Benefits Manager to review your current plan and understand your company’s Medicare rules. Then, reach out to us for a brief call so we can compare your employer benefits with Medicare options. If you have a younger spouse or children on your policy, you may decide it’s best to remain on your employer’s plan.

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP):
  • Begins three months before the month you turn 65
  • Includes your birth month
  • Ends three months after your birth month

If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period at age 65 and lacked creditable coverage, you must wait for the General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31) to enroll in Medicare. Because you didn’t sign up during your designated window, you’ll incur permanent late-enrollment penalties for the time you didn’t have Medicare.

• General Enrollment Period (GEP):
  • January 1 – March 31 each year
  • Coverage starts the first of the following month
  • Late-enrollment penalties may apply

 If you or your spouse remain on an employer’s creditable health plan past your 65th birthday, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period without waiting for a specific enrollment window. You may enroll in Medicare at any time after your company coverage ends—such as when you retire—or whenever you determine that Medicare better meets your needs and budget than your employer’s plan. Simply submit your application, and your Medicare coverage will begin on the first day of the month following your enrollment.

Special Enrollment Period/Loss of Coverage (SEP/LOC)

• If you or your spouse are still working past 65 and covered by employer group health plan
• Typically scheduled to begin when employer-based coverage ends
• Able to start the process up to two months before employer coverage ends
• 63 days to enroll in Part D, eight months to enroll in Part B – we recommend to enroll within two months of loss of coverage to avoid any confusion or late enrollment penalties

 Because you’re receiving long-term disability benefits, you’re eligible for Medicare regardless of your age.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):
  • If you’ve been entitled to SSDI benefits for 24 months, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B effective the first day of the 25^th month of SSDI entitlement

Key reminders

• Missing your IEP (Initial Enrollment Period) if you don’t have Creditable Coverage through an employer can mean Part B and Part D penalties for life
• Mark your calendar three months ahead of turning 65