The first time you can sign up is called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). You can become eligible to receive Medicare benefits in any of three ways: when you turn 65, if you have a qualifying disability, or if you have a diagnosis of end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease).
Learn more about the Initial Enrollment Period
If you first become eligible to enroll in Medicare because you are turning 65, your IEP begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months afterward. During your IEP, you can enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug (Part D) plans without penalty. Medicare Advantage plans may not be available in all states and territories.
If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare automatically when you turn 65 and get your Medicare card in the mail. If you are not enrolled automatically, you will need to sign up by yourself. You can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B online at www.ssa.gov , in person at your local Social Security office or by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Get the information you need about your Initial Enrollment Period
If you plan to work past age 65 and have health insurance through your employer, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare without penalty. Your Medicare enrollment options will depend on the size of the employer and if your insurance is considered creditable.
Understand your Medicare enrollment options when working past 65
When to enroll if you can delay Medicare past age 65
If you can delay Medicare past age 65 with creditable employer coverage, you will then enroll during what’s known as a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This is an 8-month period during which you can enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D. However, it's important to know that you only get the first 2 months of your SEP to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan without penalty. Many people don't know this, so it's important to pay attention to when you lose your employer coverage and when you enroll in Medicare.
Note: Medicare Advantage plans may not be available in all states/territories. Learn more about the Special Enrollment Period when working past 65
If you have insurance through a spouse's employer, you may also be able to delay Medicare past age 65. However, this depends on the rules the employer has for covered dependents of Medicare age. Some employers may require covered dependents to enroll in Medicare at age 65 in order to remain on the employer plan. In this case, you'll need to talk directly with the employer's benefits administrator to learn about what you can do about Medicare enrollment.
If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), Medicare offers another chance to get coverage. This is known as the General Enrollment Period.
The General Enrollment Period is available to you if you didn't sign up during your IEP. The GEP runs January 1 to March 31 each year. During this time, you can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. If you enroll in Original Medicare during the GEP, you may also be able to add a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or a Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plan between April 1 and June 30 of the same year. Additionally, once you are enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a Medicare supplement insurance plan.
Missing your Initial Enrollment Period can be costly. Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D may charge premium penalties if you miss your initial enrollment dates, unless you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period.
Learn more about Medicare penalties
With a qualifying disability, you usually become Medicare-eligible after you've received disability benefits for 24 months. You will have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period that includes your 25th month of disability, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
You may also qualify for Medicare due to Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Enrollment for ALS or ESRD is unique, so you'll want to review the rules for each carefully.
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AARP ® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
AARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Plans insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, 185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (available in all states/territories except ND, NY) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, 1600 McConnor Parkway, Floor 2, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (available in AR, AZ, IL, IN, KS, MS, NC, ND, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, WY) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York 2950 Expressway Drive South, Suite 240, Islandia, NY 11749 (for NY residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4).
In some states, plans may be available to persons under age 65 who are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you.
You must be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan. If you are not a member, you can join AARP for just $16.00 a year.
THESE PLANS HAVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS. FOR COSTS AND COMPLETE DETAILS (INCLUDING OUTLINES OF COVERAGE), CALL A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT/PRODUCER AT THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ABOVE.
Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare prescription drug plans
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, co-payments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year.
