Medicare eligibility begins at age 65 and coverage options vary based on your needs. Getting started with signing up for Medicare at 65 can be daunting at first, but this guide will help you navigate the application process, enrollment periods, plans, and coverage options. Let’s get started.  

Is it mandatory to sign up for Medicare at age 65? 

While it is not mandatory to sign up for Medicare at age 65, it is beneficial to do so. Signing up for Medicare outside of your Initial Enrollment Period can result in penalties and higher premiums. For this reason, we recommend signing up for Medicare when you first become eligible especially if you see yourself needing Medicare in the future. This will help to make sure you get the most affordable plans without the increased premiums and penalties.  

How long before you turn 65 do you apply for Medicare?  

The Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare refers to when you first become eligible to apply for and receive coverage through the program. You can sign up for Medicare as early as three months before your 65th birthday. There are some cases where you can get Medicare coverage earlier, most notably through SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).  

Applying for Medicare coverage during the Initial Enrollment Period is the best way to save money on premiums for plans and avoid penalties. This window starts three months before your 65th birthday and continues for three months after. For example, if your birthday is June of 1960, you can start your application as early as February 2025 and as late as September 2025 without facing higher premiums or penalties.  

Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65? 

People who are already enrolled in Social Security will not have to apply for Medicare coverage and will automatically receive Part A and Part B from Medicare when they turn 65. This is because Medicare comes from Social Security so they will already have all the necessary information on file. Some beneficiaries will also set up payments to be taken out from their social security monthly income to ensure they never experience late payments or gaps in coverage.  

If you do not receive social security benefits, you will have to apply at age 65. While you do qualify for Medicare coverage when you turn 65, you do not automatically get coverage. You must apply for Medicare to receive coverage and choose the plans that best suit your healthcare needs and budget. There are enrollment periods for you to sign up during and enrolling or switching plans outside of these times may result in penalties and higher premiums.  

How do I sign up for Medicare when I turn 65? 

When you start to reach the age where you are eligible for Medicare, you may wonder how exactly you go about signing up for coverage. There are a few things to do to prepare yourself for the application and enrollment process. Here’s what you need to know.  

Check eligibility 

To be eligible to receive Medicare coverage, you need to meet the following requirements: 

• Age 65 or older 
• Be a resident of the United States 
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien with at least 5 consecutive years in the U.S. before applying for Medicare 

You can also use our Medicare Eligibility Wizard to check if you are eligible.

Prepare necessary documents 

The Medicare application process requires some documents that you will need to provide to complete your application. These are forms of ID as well as income information. Here are the documents you’ll need to successfully complete your Medicare application: 

• Birth certificate 
• Social security card
• Health insurance information 
• Tax information 
• Military papers if applicable

Fill out application 

Once you have determined that you are fully eligible to receive Medicare coverage and have the required documents in order, it’s time to fill out the application. You have a few options as to how you’d like to fill out the application including: 

• Applying online via the Social Security website 
• Applying via phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 
• Contacting your local Social Security office 

Applying online is considered to be the fastest and most convenient way to apply for Medicare coverage.  

Medicare options at 65 

Medicare coverage comes in different parts based on what type of healthcare each part covers. If you are still working at 65 and receiving health care coverage from your employer, you may be able to save money by only getting Part A from Medicare. It is important to discuss specific options with your employer to make sure the insurance works with Medicare so that you don’t experience any gaps in coverage.  

Knowing the parts of Medicare can help to determine which options are best for you. These are the different parts of Medicare and what they cover: 

• Part A: Hospital Insurance. This covers inpatient hospital stays, home health care, and skilled nursing facilities.  
• Part B: Medical Insurance. This covers doctor visits, X-rays, preventative screenings, outpatient services, and lab tests.  
• Part C: Medicare Advantage. This refers to options from private insurers that offer the same coverage as Part A and Part B plus some additional such as vision, dental, and hearing, as well as prescription drugs. 
• Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage. This helps to cover the costs of prescription drugs.  

Medicare Part A and Part B fall under the Original Medicare federal program while Medicare Advantage is offered by private insurance companies with contracts with Medicare.  

How much does Medicare cost at age 65? 

The costs for Medicare depend on your income level as well as which coverage options you choose. Here is a breakdown of the costs of each Medicare part for a rough estimate of what to expect. 

Part A 

Most people do not have to pay for Medicare Part A. It is often referred to as premium-free Part A. So long as you or your spouse have been working and paying Medicare taxes for 10 years, you are eligible for premium-free Part A.  

Those who don’t qualify for premium-free Part A will pay either $278 or $505 in 2024. These costs are based on how long you and your spouse have been working and paying Medicare taxes.  

Part B 

Part B typically costs $174.70 each month but may be higher based on income.  

Part C 

Part C, or Medicare Advantage, varies in costs significantly based on which private insurer and plan you choose.  

Part D 

Part D also varies significantly based on the plan you choose.  

Conclusion 

Signing up for Medicare at age 65 involves an application process and familiarizing yourself with coverage options. It helps to start researching early to ensure you are well acquainted with the process and requirements so that you don’t experience penalties, higher premiums, or gaps in coverage.  

Article updated on October 16, 2023