Getting Started with Medicare — Without the Headache
Who Can Get Medicare?
Most people become eligible for Medicare the month they turn 65 — that includes U.S. citizens and permanent residents who've lived in the country at least five years.
You can also qualify before 65 if:
- You've received Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months in a row
- You've been diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure)
- You've been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) — the standard 24-month wait is waived, and coverage starts the same month your disability benefits begin
Nobody signs up for Medicare every day, so it's normal to have questions the first time around. That's what this page — and a quick call with us — is for.
Your Enrollment Window
If you're already collecting Social Security when you turn 65, Medicare typically enrolls you automatically in Part A and Part B — your card shows up in the mail, no action needed for Original Medicare. Part C and Part D still require an active choice, which is where we come in.
If you haven't started Social Security yet, you'll need to sign up yourself, during a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period:
before your birthday month
month itself
after your birthday month
Even if you're not ready to claim Social Security, it's worth signing up for Medicare during your IEP — missing it usually means a permanent monthly penalty.
Missed Your Window? Here's What Happens Next
If your Initial Enrollment Period has passed and you didn't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you'll wait for the General Enrollment Period, which runs every year from January 1 through March 31.
- Coverage starts the first day of the month after you enroll
- You may owe a late enrollment penalty for the months you went without coverage, added permanently to your monthly Part B premium
- The GEP is a backup plan, not a substitute for enrolling on time
What About Special Circumstances?
If you're still covered by an employer group health plan when you turn 65 (yours or a spouse's), you likely qualify for a Special Enrollment Period once that coverage ends — with no penalty, as long as you enroll within the allowed timeframe.
Other qualifying situations include moving out of your plan's service area or losing other creditable coverage. If any of this sounds like your situation, it's worth a quick conversation rather than guessing.
Quick Answers
Do I have to sign up for Medicare Advantage or Part D right away?
No — those are separate choices from Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and can be elected once you're Medicare-eligible, on your own timeline within the rules above.
What if I'm still working at 65?
You may be able to delay enrollment penalty-free if you have qualifying employer coverage. This is one of the most common questions we get — worth a quick call to confirm your specific situation.
How much does this cost me to ask questions?
Nothing. Licensed agent guidance on Medicare enrollment doesn't cost you anything out of pocket.