When should I apply for Medicare?
The short answer
Most people should apply for Medicare three months before their 65th birthday. That gives you the earliest possible coverage start and avoids gaps or late penalties.
The full explanation
The short answer is three months before you turn 65. That is the opening of your Initial Enrollment Period, and applying then means your coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month with no delays.That said, not everyone needs to rush to sign up at 65. If you are still working and covered by an employer health plan through your job or your spouse's job, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. The key word is employer coverage. Coverage through COBRA, a retiree plan, or the health insurance marketplace does not count, and delaying because of those could trigger a lifetime late enrollment penalty.If you are already receiving Social Security benefits before you turn 65, you will likely be enrolled in Medicare automatically and get a card in the mail about three months before your birthday. In that case, there is nothing extra you need to do unless you want to delay Part B.For people not yet receiving Social Security, you need to actively apply, either online at SSA.gov, by phone, or at a local Social Security office. Do not wait for something to arrive in the mail if you have not started Social Security yet.The worst outcome is missing your window without qualifying coverage in place, because the late penalty for Part B adds 10 percent to your premium for every 12-month period you delayed, and that extra cost lasts for life.
Related Medicare Resources
In
specifically
If you are unsure whether your current coverage qualifies as a valid reason to delay, the Utah ADRC (the state's free Medicare counseling program, also called SHIP) can review your situation at no cost.
What this means for you
For you, this means putting a reminder on your calendar three months before your 65th birthday and taking action then, unless you have confirmed employer coverage that lets you delay safely.
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