# Medicare when you turn 65: how to sign up > Your Medicare window is 7 months: 3 months before your 65th birthday month, that month, and 3 months after. If you already get Social Security, you’re usually enrolled automatically. Part A covers hospital stays, B doctors, D drugs; Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a private all-in-one plan. If you have coverage from a current job, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Your state’s SHIP program gives free help. - URL: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65 - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=medicare-at-65 ## Step by step 1. **Turning 65? Time to think about Medicare.** Signing up on time matters, because late sign-up can mean penalties that last for life. Here’s how it works. 2. **You have a 7-month window.** It starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after. If you already get Social Security, you’re usually signed up automatically. 3. **Learn the parts.** A is hospital, B is doctors, D is drugs. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one private plan that replaces A and B coverage. 4. **Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.** Original Medicare works with any doctor that accepts it, often with a Medigap plan and Part D. Advantage plans use networks and may add extras. 5. **Still working with job coverage?** If you have coverage from a current job at a larger employer, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Retiree plans and COBRA usually don’t count. Check before you skip it. 6. **Get free, unbiased help.** Your state’s SHIP program gives free one-on-one Medicare counseling. Ask about Extra Help with drug costs and savings programs if money is tight. 7. **Watch out for pushy sales calls.** Medicare won’t call to sell you a plan or ask for your number. Compare plans yourself on Medicare.gov. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Know your 7-month window - Learn Parts A, B, C and D - Compare Original vs Advantage - Check before delaying Part B - Get free help from SHIP - Hang up on pushy callers ## When to sign up Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months: the 3 months before the month you turn 65, that month, and the 3 months after. If you already get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you’re usually enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, sign up through Social Security. ## The parts - **Part A:** hospital, skilled nursing after a hospital stay, hospice. Usually no premium if you worked about 10 years. - **Part B:** doctors, outpatient care, tests. Has a monthly premium. - **Part D:** prescription drugs. - **Part C (Medicare Advantage):** private plans that bundle A and B, and often D, usually with networks. ## Two main paths - **Original Medicare** (A and B), often with a Medigap supplement and a Part D plan. - **Medicare Advantage,** an all-in-one plan with networks and sometimes extras. ## Late penalties Signing up late for Part B or Part D can mean higher premiums for life. If you have coverage from a **current job** (yours or a spouse’s), often at a larger employer, you may be able to delay without a penalty and sign up later in a special period. Retiree coverage and COBRA usually don’t count. ## Help Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling. Ask about Extra Help with drug costs and Medicare Savings Programs. ## Avoid traps Medicare doesn’t call to sell plans. Compare plans on Medicare.gov. ## Common questions ### Do I have to sign up for Medicare if I’m still working? Many people sign up for premium-free Part A. Whether to delay Part B depends on your job coverage and employer size. Check with your employer and SHIP before deciding. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/do-i-have-to-sign-up-for-medicare-if-im-still-working ### Can I change Medicare plans later? Yes, during set times each year, like the fall open enrollment period. Some changes have limits, especially for Medigap. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/can-i-change-medicare-plans-later ### When should I sign up for Medicare? During your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday. Signing up in the 3 months before your birthday month helps coverage start on time. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/when-should-i-sign-up-for-medicare ### What is the Part B late enrollment penalty? A higher Part B premium, often for as long as you have Part B, if you didn’t sign up when first eligible and didn’t have qualifying job coverage. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/what-is-the-part-b-late-enrollment-penalty ### What is the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage? Medigap helps pay costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private all-in-one plan. You can’t use both together. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/what-is-the-difference-between-medigap-and-medicare-advantage ### Is Medicare free? Part A is usually premium-free if you worked about 10 years. Part B and most Part D and Medigap plans have premiums, plus deductibles and copays. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/is-medicare-free ### What is Extra Help? A program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D drug costs. Apply through Social Security. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/what-is-extra-help ### Where can I get free Medicare advice? Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased one-on-one counseling. Source page: https://explained.page/medicare-at-65/questions/where-can-i-get-free-medicare-advice ## Official sources - [Medicare.gov: get started](https://www.medicare.gov/) - [Social Security: apply for Medicare](https://www.ssa.gov/) - [SHIP: free Medicare counseling](https://www.shiphelp.org/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] SHIP Medicare counseling" - "medicare.gov plan finder" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.