When Should You Sign Up for Medicare?

Knowing when to sign up for Medicare can help you avoid late penalties and gaps in your health coverage. Let’s walk through the 3 most important enrollment periods:

1. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your IEP is a 7-month window that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after.

Example: If your birthday is in August, your IEP runs from May 1 to November 30.

You can sign up for:

• Part A (hospital insurance)
• Part B (medical insurance)
• Part D (prescription drug coverage)
• Or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)

🔗 Initial Enrollment – Medicare.gov

2. General Enrollment Period (GEP)

If you missed your IEP and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can enroll during the General Enrollment Period.

It runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after you enroll.

Note: If you delayed signing up and don’t have other creditable coverage, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

🔗 General Enrollment – Medicare.gov

3. Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if:

• You or your spouse are still working past age 65
• You have health insurance through an employer or union
• You lose other creditable coverage
• You move to a new area with different plan options

Most people have 8 months after their employer coverage ends to sign up for Part B without a penalty.

🔗 Special Enrollment Periods – Medicare.gov

What Happens If You Sign Up Late?

• ⏳ Part B: You may pay a 10% penalty for every 12-month period you delayed enrollment.
• 💊 Part D: A 1% penalty is added to your monthly premium for each uncovered month.
• 📅 These penalties can last for as long as you have Medicare coverage.

🔗 Avoid Late Enrollment Penalties – Medicare.gov

Need Help Deciding When to Enroll?

Tap “Contact Us” or “Virtual Appointment” in the app to speak with a licensed Medicare agent. We’ll help you figure out exactly which enrollment period applies to you and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

This app is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with the U.S. government or CMS.