When Should You Sign Up for Medicare?

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A Medicare Special Enrollment Period allows you to enroll in Medicare or make changes to Medicare coverage outside of standard enrollment periods.

Enrolling into Parts A and B for the first time. You have the 3 months before you turn 65, the month of (your birthday month), and 3 months after. A total of 7 months.

January 1 through March 31st of each year. Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or enroll in Original Medicare and a Part D prescription drug plan.

October 15 through December 7 of each year. Enroll in, change, or drop a Part D or Medicare Advantage Plan.

This is 6 months before and 6 months after your Part B effective date. You may purchase any Medigap (Supplemental) plan without underwriting (answering any health questions).

This is 6 months before and 6 months after your Part B effective date. You may purchase any Medigap (Supplemental) plan without underwriting (answering any health questions).

Some insurance companies may elect to sell Medigap(Supplemental) policies to people under age 65, even in states that do not require this policy.   

If you do not have prescription drug coverage from another source, you should enroll in a Medicare Part D (PDP) Plan.  

Alternatively, you can look into receiving your Medicare-covered benefits, including prescription drugs, through a Medicare Advantage Plan offered through private insurance companies. For example, an HMO or PPO. However, access to providers in general, is more limited. Medicare Advantage Plans are not allowed to turn down people with Medicare based on their health status or pre-existing condition.