It's a simple question that has many answers. Here's what you need to know about when you can sign up for Medicare benefits.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It has four parts: 

• Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility and hospice care, and some home health care.
• Part B covers some doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. Part A and Part B are often referred to as Original Medicare.
• Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. Medicare Part C plans sold by private insurance companies provide additional coverage above what Part A and Part B cover. Part D coverage is also often included.
• Part D focuses exclusively on reducing the cost of prescription drug coverage, and many recommended shots or vaccines. Private insurance companies also sell Medicare Part D policies.

It's essential to have a basic understanding of each of these because that will impact how and when you can sign up.

Medicare Starts for Most People at Age 65

Most people can sign up for Medicare coverage when they turn 65. This happens during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It lasts for seven months, starting three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65.

If you don't enroll during your IEP, 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 delay and have to pay a Part A premium.

The month your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your IEP, but in all cases, coverage begins on the first of the month

If you qualify for Premium-free Part A, that coverage starts the month you turn 65. Part B and Part A with premium coverage start based on the month you sign up.

You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts six months back from when you sign up or apply for benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. However, coverage can't start earlier than the month you turn 65. 

After your IEP ends, you can only sign up for Part B and Premium-Part A during one of the other enrollment periods:

• General Enrollment Period. This takes place annually between January 1-March 31. Your coverage starts the following July 1. You could pay a monthly late enrollment penalty if you don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. 
• Special Enrollment Period. If you have a qualifying life event, you may be eligible to enroll during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) without paying a late enrollment penalty. Coverage starts the month after you sign up, in most cases. The SEP is available for a limited period.

Special situations include:

• You have health insurance through a job and you're still working. You can sign up for Part A and Part B if your group health plan coverage, or you, a spouse, or a family member (if you're disabled) is working for the employer that provides your health coverage.
• Medicare Part B is optional, and you will pay a Part B premium if you decide you want the coverage.
• If you accept the automatic enrollment in Medicare Part B or if you enroll during the first three months of your age 65 IEP, your coverage will start with the month you're first eligible. If you enroll during the last four months, your coverage will begin from one to three months after you enroll.
• You have eight months to sign up after you, your spouse, or your family member stops working or you lose group health plan coverage. Your eight-month SEP starts when you stop working, even if you choose COBRA or other coverage that's not Medicare.
• You're a volunteer, serving in a foreign country .
• Certain situations for people with TRICARE.

If you are receiving Social Security benefits for retirement or disability or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you first become eligible. For automatic enrollment, you should not have to contact anyone. You should receive a Medicare card and welcome package in the mail three months before your coverage starts with complete details.

If you're not receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will need to actively enroll in Medicare.

Even though Social Security's full retirement age is not 65, you should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.

Signing Up for Medicare Before You Turn 65

In some cases, you can enroll in Medicare before you turn 65. You're eligible for Medicare Part A at no cost if one of the following applies:

• You've been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months.
• You receive a disability pension from the RRB and meet certain conditions.
• You receive Social Security disability benefits because you have Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS/ amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
• You worked long enough in a government job through which you paid Medicare taxes, and you have met the requirements of the Social Security disability program for 24 months.
• You're the child or widow(er) age 50 or older, including a divorced widow(er), of a worker who has worked long enough under Social Security or in a Medicare-covered government job, and you meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program.
• You have permanent kidney failure (end-stage renal disease/ESRD) and you receive maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant, and one of the following applies:
• You're eligible for or receive monthly benefits under Social Security or the railroad retirement system.
• You've worked long enough in a Medicare-covered government job.
• You're the child or spouse (including a divorced spouse) of a worker (living or deceased) who has worked long enough under Social Security or in a Medicare-covered government job.

If You Have Questions About When or How to Sign Up for Medicare

If you have questions about your Medicare eligibility or coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

If you have questions about enrolling in Medicare Part A or Part B, call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or look for answers online here.

Also, consider setting up a My Medicare account. You can register at MyMedicare.gov. You'll be able to get help with:

• Managing your personal information (like medical conditions, allergies,
• and implanted devices).
• Signing up to get your Medicare & You handbook electronically. You won't get a printed copy if you choose to get it electronically.
• Managing your drug list and pharmacy information.
• Searching for, add to, and managing a list of your favorite providers and access quality information about them.
• Tracking Original Medicare claims and your Part B deductible status.
• Viewing and ordering copies of your "Medicare Summary Notices." Sign up for electronic Medicare Summary Notices (eMSNs).

Another option is your State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). SHIPs offer local, personalized counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. For more information, call your SHIP in your state. You can call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find information regarding your state..

DISCLAIMER:  Medi-Solutions Insurance Agency, LLC is not affiliated or endorsed with the Social Security Administration or the Federal Medicare Program.   Information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer of insurance, advice, or recommendation. The information provided is not intended as tax, financial, investment, or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

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