Turning 65: Your Medicare Enrollment Timeline
Know what to prepare and when to review your Medicare enrollment options.
The Initial Enrollment Period
For most people, the first window is seven months long: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. That is typically when you enroll in Parts A and B - and when many people also look at Advantage, Medigap, and Part D.
Prepare
List doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, and whether you still have employer coverage.
Enroll
Parts A and B timing affects when coverage starts. Medigap open enrollment is tied to Part B.
Confirm
Confirm your coverage start date, ID cards, prescription benefits, and provider access.
Review whether you can delay Part B
Qualifying employer group coverage may allow you to delay Part B. Confirm the rules for your situation before deciding.
Bring this to a conversation
- Medicare number or Social Security award letter if you have one
- Doctors and hospitals you want to keep
- Prescription names, doses, and pharmacy
- Whether you have employer or retiree coverage to coordinate
- Whether you split time between states (snowbird or family)
Joseph serves clients in Florida and five other states by phone or video. In-person consultations and house calls are available in South Florida by appointment.
Download the one-pager (PDF) Book a turning-65 conversation South Florida page