Start with Parts A and B
For many people, Medicare eligibility begins around age 65. Some people are enrolled automatically and others need to sign up. Eligibility and enrollment timing can depend on Social Security status, current employer coverage, citizenship or qualifying lawful-presence status, and other individual circumstances. Confirm your eligibility and enrollment timing with Social Security or Medicare.
Then choose how you want to receive coverage
After Original Medicare begins, people commonly evaluate two broad paths:
- Original Medicare, often paired with a Medicare Supplement policy and separate Part D drug plan.
- Medicare Advantage, a private Medicare-approved plan that provides Part A and Part B benefits and often includes Part D.
Your checklist
- Confirm when Part A and Part B should begin.
- Understand how any employer or retiree coverage coordinates with Medicare.
- List your doctors, prescriptions and preferred pharmacies.
- Think about travel and how important broad provider access is to you.
- Compare expected premiums and out-of-pocket costs—not premium alone.
Official resources
Use Medicare.gov and Social Security for official enrollment information.
Enrollment timing and penalties
Your Initial Enrollment Period generally begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. If you delay Part B without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period, the Part B premium may increase 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but did not enroll. Part D can also carry a late-enrollment penalty after 63 or more days without creditable drug coverage.
Confirm your timing at Social Security: When to sign up for Medicare and Medicare.gov: Avoid late enrollment penalties.