Before picking your plan, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared to enroll in one. That includes confirming your enrollment eligibility and marking your calendar with important enrollment deadlines.
Are you eligible for Medicare?
PLUS one of the following
OR
OR
When can you enroll or make a plan change?
The enrollment window depends on your specific situation—use the charts below to determine when you can enroll.
Whether you’re turning 65 or are new to Medicare for another reason, we have the answers to your enrollment timing questions.
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
Whether you’re turning 65 or are new to Medicare for another reason, we have the answers to your enrollment timing questions.
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
When can I enroll?
You will become eligible for Medicare the month of your 65th birthday. Your 7-month initial enrollment window will start three months before the month of your 65th birthday and last until three months after your birth month. You can enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B and if you so choose, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through a private insurance company during this time.
What do I need to do?
In most cases you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and Part B if you’re already receiving Social Security. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to your birth month. If you receive social security payments, you can choose to have your part B premium deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able to pick a plan any time within your 7-month initial enrollment window.
When will my coverage start?
If you sign up during the first 3 months of your initial enrollment period, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. If you sign up the month of your birthday or within the three months after it, your coverage will begin the next month.
When can I enroll?
You can enroll in Original Medicare Part A as soon as you become eligible while enrollment in Original Medicare Part B can be delayed. The delay is typically due to having coverage through your own job or a spouse’s employer. Once your employer-sponsored coverage ends, most likely due to retirement, you will have 8 months to enroll in coverage and if you so choose, enroll in a private insurance Medicare plan.
What do I need to do?
You will need to submit an application with Medicare to request enrollment in your Part B coverage.
When will my coverage start?
In most cases your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you enroll.
When can I enroll?
If you have been receiving disability insurance payments from social security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months you will become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.2
What do I need to do?
You will be automatically enrolled. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you receive social security payments, your Part B premium will be deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
When will my coverage start?
Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage will become effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will be able to sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time your coverage will start July 1. Depending on your situation you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare plans at this time and could have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also be required to pay late enrollment penalties unless your current coverage type waived you from this fee.
Those who already have a Medicare plan can switch during the following times each year:
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
Who can I enroll?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year. Anyone on Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan for the first time, or switch plans during this period. You can also drop your plan altogether and return to Original Medicare during this time.
What do I need to do?
You will need to contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan if you have one.
When will my coverage start?
Your new plan will be effective on Jan 1 of the new year.
When can I enroll?
Most people take Original Medicare Part A when it is available, but some people choose to delay enrollment in Original Medicare Part B. This is most often due to having coverage through their job or a spouse’s employer. Once your employer-sponsored coverage ends, most likely due to retirement, you will have 8 months to enroll in coverage and if you so choose, enroll in a private insurance Medicare plan.
What do I need to do?
You will need to submit an application with Medicare to request enrollment in your Part B coverage.
When will my coverage start?
In most cases your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you enroll.
When can I enroll?
If you have been receiving disability insurance payments from social security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months you will become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.2
What do I need to do?
You will be automatically enrolled. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you receive social security payments, your Part B premium will be deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
When will my coverage start?
Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage will become effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will be able to sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time your coverage will start July 1. Depending on your situation you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare plans at this time and could have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also be required to pay late enrollment penalties unless your current coverage type waived you from this fee.
Whether you’re turning 65 or are new to Medicare for another reason, we have the answers to your enrollment timing questions.
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
Whether you’re turning 65 or are new to Medicare for another reason, we have the answers to your enrollment timing questions.
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
When can I enroll?
You will become eligible for Medicare the month of your 65th birthday. Your 7-month initial enrollment window will start three months before the month of your 65th birthday and last until three months after your birth month. You can enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B and if you so choose, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through a private insurance company during this time.
What do I need to do?
In most cases you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and Part B if you’re already receiving Social Security. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to your birth month. If you receive social security payments, you can choose to have your part B premium deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able to pick a plan any time within your 7-month initial enrollment window.
When will my coverage start?
If you sign up during the first 3 months of your initial enrollment period, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. If you sign up the month of your birthday or within the three months after it, your coverage will begin the next month.
When can I enroll?
You can enroll in Original Medicare Part A as soon as you become eligible while enrollment in Original Medicare Part B can be delayed. The delay is typically due to having coverage through your own job or a spouse’s employer. Once your employer-sponsored coverage ends, most likely due to retirement, you will have 8 months to enroll in coverage and if you so choose, enroll in a private insurance Medicare plan.
What do I need to do?
You will need to submit an application with Medicare to request enrollment in your Part B coverage.
When will my coverage start?
In most cases your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you enroll.
When can I enroll?
If you have been receiving disability insurance payments from social security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months you will become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.2
What do I need to do?
You will be automatically enrolled. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you receive social security payments, your Part B premium will be deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
When will my coverage start?
Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage will become effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will be able to sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time your coverage will start July 1. Depending on your situation you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare plans at this time and could have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also be required to pay late enrollment penalties unless your current coverage type waived you from this fee.
Those who already have a Medicare plan can switch during the following times each year:
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
Who can I enroll?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year. Anyone on Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan for the first time, or switch plans during this period. You can also drop your plan altogether and return to Original Medicare during this time.
What do I need to do?
You will need to contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan if you have one.
When will my coverage start?
Your new plan will be effective on Jan 1 of the new year.
When can I enroll?
Most people take Original Medicare Part A when it is available, but some people choose to delay enrollment in Original Medicare Part B. This is most often due to having coverage through their job or a spouse’s employer. Once your employer-sponsored coverage ends, most likely due to retirement, you will have 8 months to enroll in coverage and if you so choose, enroll in a private insurance Medicare plan.
What do I need to do?
You will need to submit an application with Medicare to request enrollment in your Part B coverage.
When will my coverage start?
In most cases your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you enroll.
When can I enroll?
If you have been receiving disability insurance payments from social security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months you will become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.2
What do I need to do?
You will be automatically enrolled. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you receive social security payments, your Part B premium will be deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
When will my coverage start?
Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage will become effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will be able to sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time your coverage will start July 1. Depending on your situation you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare plans at this time and could have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also be required to pay late enrollment penalties unless your current coverage type waived you from this fee.
Frequently asked questions about the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
No, if your plan is still offered for the upcoming year you will not need to do anything to keep your current coverage. As long as you remain eligible, you can decide to automatically renew your plan each year.
Your insurance company will send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September whether there are changes or no changes to your current plan coming for the next plan year. This letter will detail the changes in coverage, cost, service area, and benefits that will be effective in January. If these changes will no longer meet your needs, you can shop for a new plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from Oct 15 – Dec 7.
No, you can enroll or change plans two times a year. First during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from Oct 15 – Dec 7 and then again during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment from Jan 1 – March 31. From April 1 – Oct 14 you will need to qualify for a special enrollment period to switch plans. Everyone is not eligible to enroll at this time, speak to a licensed Medicare sales agent to ask additional questions or change plans during this time. If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) within the first 3 months you have Medicare.
Whether you are working or not, you will be eligible for your Medicare benefits when you turn 65 or qualify due to disability. The question then becomes whether or not you should enroll in Medicare and/or stay on your employer’s plan. The answer may be different for Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Starting with Part A (hospital insurance) if you’ve been paying into Medicare via payroll deductions throughout your career, you’ll generally pay no premium for this coverage - so you may want to enroll in Part A when you’re first eligible. For Part B (medical insurance), most people will be responsible for the standard monthly Part B premium when they sign up <$164.90> in <2024>. To determine what option is best for you, talk with your employer or a licensed sales agent.
The short answer is yes. You are required to have coverage for prescription drugs. For most people this means purchasing a stand-alone Prescription Drug plan or an all-in-one Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan from a private insurance company. If you don’t enroll in coverage during your initial enrollment period, and you cannot demonstrate creditable coverage was in place during this time, you may be subjected to a late enrollment penalty that may last the entirety of your time on Medicare if you enroll in coverage later on.
According to Medicare.gov, “If you miss your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. The penalty goes up the longer you wait. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called “Premium-Part A.” This only applies if you do not have other existing creditable coverage.
Step 2: Review Cost and Coverage
1 https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/how-do-i-sign-up-for-medicare
2 https://rrb.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/2021%20Railroad%20Retirement%20Handbook.pdf
Innovative Financial Group is a licensed representative of Medicare Advantage organization and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations they represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. Reliance Medicare Helpline is owned and operated by Innovative Financial Group (IFG), a licensed insurance agency. No government affiliation.
Reliance Medicare Helpline represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, PFFS, and PDP organizations that have a Medicare contract or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 6 carrier organizations which offer 2,352 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Innovative Financial Group represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan's contract renewal.
If you are turning 65, otherwise new to Medicare, losing benefits at work, moving, or have both Medicare and Medicaid you may be eligible. Other circumstances may qualify you as well.
Costs, coverage, and benefits vary by location. These premiums and benefits may not be available on all Medicare Advantage plans. There may be no plan in your service area that includes all of these benefits.
Reliance Medicare Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate or exclude people because of their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, military status, veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, language, health status, or need for health services. We also provide free language interpreter services. See our full accessibility rights information, non-discrimination disclosure, and language options.