Key Takeaways
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If you turn 65 in 2025, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a one-time opportunity to sign up for Medicare without penalties.
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Missing this window could lead to lifelong premium penalties and delayed coverage, so it’s important to act promptly.
What the Initial Enrollment Period Really Means
When you approach age 65, Medicare gives you a special seven-month window to enroll in coverage. This period is called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It starts three months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and continues for three months after.
For example, if your birthday is in August 2025:
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Your IEP runs from May 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025.
This window is your first and most critical opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Waiting beyond this window can cause delays in your coverage and higher monthly costs later.
Medicare Part A and Part B: What You Need to Know
Medicare Part A typically covers:
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Inpatient hospital stays
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Skilled nursing facility care (limited)
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Hospice care
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Some home health care
Medicare Part B includes:
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Doctor visits
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Outpatient care
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Durable medical equipment
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Preventive services (such as screenings and vaccines)
If you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits before your 65th birthday, you’ll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, you’ll need to take action to sign up.
Should You Enroll in Medicare at 65?
Whether you should enroll depends on your situation:
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If you’re retired or not covered by employer insurance: You should enroll in both Part A and Part B during your IEP.
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If you or your spouse still work and you’re covered by a group health plan: You may be able to delay Part B without penalty. However, Part A is usually premium-free, so most people sign up for it anyway.
Keep in mind, delaying Part B without having credible employer coverage could result in a 10% late enrollment penalty for each full 12-month period you were eligible but didn’t enroll.
Understanding the Penalties for Late Enrollment
Late enrollment in Medicare can cost you more in the long run:
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Part B Late Enrollment Penalty: You’ll pay 10% more for each full 12-month period you delay enrollment. This penalty is added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Part B.
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Part D Late Enrollment Penalty: If you delay enrolling in Medicare drug coverage and go 63 or more consecutive days without credible prescription coverage, you’ll pay an additional amount for as long as you have Part D.
Penalties don’t go away, and they add up quickly. That’s why your Initial Enrollment Period is such a vital moment.
What If You Miss Your Initial Enrollment Period?
If you miss your IEP, you still have another chance to sign up—but it comes with drawbacks.
The General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. If you enroll during the GEP, your Medicare coverage starts the first of the month after you sign up.
However, this can result in a coverage gap, and you may face permanent late enrollment penalties.
Special Enrollment Periods: Not for Everyone
There are some exceptions that allow you to enroll later without penalty:
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You or your spouse are actively working and covered by an employer group health plan.
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You lose employer coverage due to retirement, layoffs, or other life changes.
In these cases, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which gives you up to eight months after your employment or coverage ends to enroll in Part B without penalty.
However, COBRA and retiree coverage do not count as active employer coverage. If you rely on COBRA after age 65 and delay enrolling in Part B, you’ll likely face penalties later.
Medicare Part D: Don’t Forget Prescription Drug Coverage
Even if you don’t take medications now, enrolling in Medicare Part D during your IEP is important. If you wait until later and have no other credible coverage, you’ll pay a penalty when you eventually enroll.
The penalty is calculated as 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for every month you went without credible drug coverage.
If you think you might need drug coverage in the future—or just want to avoid penalties—consider enrolling in a basic Part D plan when first eligible.
You Can’t Rely on Private Insurance Alone After 65
Some people think they can stay on a private health plan indefinitely and delay Medicare enrollment. This is risky.
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If your plan isn’t based on active employment, Medicare becomes your primary coverage at 65.
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If you don’t enroll in Medicare when required, your private plan may refuse to pay for services that Medicare should cover first.
This can leave you with unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
How to Enroll in Medicare
If you’re not automatically enrolled, you can sign up:
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Online at the Social Security Administration website
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By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
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By visiting your local Social Security office
You’ll need to enroll in both Part A and Part B during your IEP unless you have valid reasons to delay Part B.
What About Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
Once enrolled in Parts A and B, you have additional choices:
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Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer bundled coverage and may include drug coverage. You must have Parts A and B to join.
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Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) helps pay some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. You must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to buy a Medigap policy.
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the month you’re both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. This one-time 6-month window allows you to buy a policy without health underwriting. After that, you can be denied coverage or charged more based on pre-existing conditions.
What If You Work Past 65?
If you keep working and are covered under a large employer plan (20 or more employees), you may delay enrolling in Part B.
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When you retire or lose coverage, you’ll get a Special Enrollment Period lasting eight months.
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Don’t wait until the eighth month—your coverage won’t start immediately.
Smaller employer plans (fewer than 20 employees) do not let you delay Medicare without risk. In those cases, you should enroll at 65.
What to Do If You’re Already Getting Social Security
If you’re receiving Social Security before turning 65, you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Your Medicare card should arrive by mail about 3 months before your 65th birthday.
If you don’t want Part B because you have credible employer coverage, you can follow the instructions on the card to decline.
Enrolling On Time Gives You More Choices
Enrolling in Medicare during your IEP doesn’t just avoid penalties—it opens the door to more plan options:
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You can explore different Part D or Medicare Advantage plans.
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You qualify for Medigap protections.
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Your coverage begins on time, usually the first of your birthday month (or the month before if your birthday falls on the first).
Missing your IEP can limit these choices.
Don’t Wait—Plan Ahead Now
If you’re turning 65 this year, now is the time to start planning. Mark your Initial Enrollment Period dates on a calendar and review your current insurance situation carefully.
Talk to a licensed agent listed on this website to:
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Determine if your current coverage counts as credible.
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Avoid coverage gaps and penalties.
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Understand how Medicare fits into your health and financial goals.
This is your one-time chance to make decisions that could impact your healthcare for the rest of your life.
Secure Your Medicare Coverage the Right Way
Medicare enrollment at age 65 isn’t just a formality—it’s a key moment that shapes your future healthcare access and costs. Missing your enrollment window or assuming you’re automatically covered can lead to unnecessary penalties and disruptions.
Reach out to a licensed agent listed on this website to get guidance tailored to your needs. It’s better to get the right help now than face complications later.
