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  1. Home
  2. Introduction to Medicare
  3. When to Enroll in Medicare
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  • FAQ

When to Enroll in Medicare

When should I enroll in Medicare for the first time?  


Do I need Medicare if I plan to work past age 65?  


Do I need Medicare if I am covered my spouse's insurance?  


What if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period?  


I want to enroll in Medicare. What are my next steps?  

When should I enroll in Medicare for the first time?



Most people enroll in Medicare for the first time around age 65. Some people may qualify to enroll in Medicare earlier than age 65 with a qualifying disability or medical condition. If you become eligible for Medicare due to age or disability, you will have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. The rules for enrolling are different if you are enrolling due to a qualifying medical condition.

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period
 

You can enroll in Medicare for the first time due to age or disability during what's known as the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period.


Learn more about the Initial Enrollment Period  

IEP Timeline for Turning 65
IEP Timeline for Qualifying because of disability

Enrolling in Medicare at 65


Around age 65 you have your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It is 7 months long and includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and the 3 months after. During this time, you can enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D without penalty.
 

Get the information you need about your Initial Enrollment Period 

Note: if you plan to work past 65 or will have employer coverage through a spouse, your Medicare enrollment options may be different. See the "Do I need Medicare if plan to work past 65?" section below.

Back to Top  

Important Medicare Timelines & Dates

Video transcript

Blue text appears in the center of a beige background. Animated calendar pages are strewn in the corners of the screen.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Important Medicare Dates & Timelines


ON SCREEN TEXT:

April

May June

January

July August

February


More blue text appears at the top of the screen. White and black text on colorful cards fan out in a list beneath the blue text.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Keep these important Medicare dates in mind


ON SCREEN TEXT: Annual Enrollment Period October 15 - December 7

Initial Enrollment PeriodDates vary by person, 7 months

Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period Dates vary by person, 6 months

Special Enrollment Period Dates vary by person, 2-8 months

Special Enrollment Period: Working Past 65 Dates vary by person, 8 months

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period January 1 - March 31

The colorful cards fan down off-screen. Then a red card reappears. One by one, a numbered list of text appears on the card beneath its red header.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Annual Enrollment Period October 15 - December 7


ON SCREEN TEXT: 1 Happens every year October 15 - December 7.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 2 You can join, switch or drop a Part C or Part D plan without penalty.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 3 Any changes made will go into effect January 1 of the following year.

The red card swipes to the left and a blue card reappears. One by one, a numbered list of text appears on the card beneath its blue header.


ON SCREEN TEXT:Initial Enrollment Period Dates vary by person, 7 months


ON SCREEN TEXT: 1 This is your first opportunity to enroll in Medicare.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 2 It begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month & ends 3 months after.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 3 You may enroll in Medicare Parts A & B, a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a Part D prescription drug plan.

The blue card swipes to the left and a green card reappears. One by one, a numbered list of text appears on the card beneath its green header. A green line appears under the word "and" in the first listed point.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Medicare Supplement Dates vary by person, 6 months

Open Enrollment Period


ON SCREEN TEXT: 1 This 6-month period begins once you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 2 During this time, you're guaranteed the right to buy a Medicare supplement insurance plan regardless of health history & cannot be denied coverage or charged more due to pre-existing conditions.

A green box is drawn beneath the second listed point and gray text appears inside.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Please note that you can enroll in a Medigap plan at anytime, but may be denied coverage or charged higher premiums if enrolling after this period.

The green card swipes to the left and a light blue card reappears. Black text appears on the card beneath its light blue header and a numbered list of text appears beneath that.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Special Enrollment Period: Dates vary by person, 2 months

Qualifying Life Event


ON SCREEN TEXT: If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D prescription drug plan & experience a "qualifying" life event (like moving)...


ON SCREEN TEXT: 1 You may qualify for a 2-month Special Enrollment Period.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 2 You can change or drop a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D prescription drug plan.

The light blue card swipes to the left and a yellow card reappears. Black text appears on the card beneath its yellow header and a numbered list of text appears beneath that.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Special Enrollment Period: Dates vary by person, 8 months

Working Past 65


ON SCREEN TEXT: If you have not yet enrolled in Medicare or only have Part A & you have creditable employer coverage...


ON SCREEN TEXT: 1 You may qualify for an 8-month Special Enrollment Period.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 2 You can enroll in Medicare Parts A & B.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 3 You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D prescription drug plan.

* *Must do within first 2 months to avoid penalty.

The yellow card swipes to the left and a bright green card reappears. Black text appears on the card beneath its green header and a numbered list of text appears beneath that.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Medicare Advantage January 1 - March 31 Open Enrollment Period


ON SCREEN TEXT: Exclusively for qualified Medicare Advantage plan members


ON SCREEN TEXT: 1 You can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 2 You can drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.


ON SCREEN TEXT: 3 If you qualify, you may also enroll in a standalone Part D plan.

The bright green card swipes to the left and white text appears on a blue background.


ON SCREEN TEXT: Medicare Made Clear®

by UnitedHealthcare®

Do I need Medicare if I plan to work past age 65?


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.
 

Learn more about the Special Enrollment Period when working past 65  

Back to Top  

Do I need Medicare if I am covered by my spouse's insurance?


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.

Back to Top  

What if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period?


If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), Medicare offers another chance to get coverage. This is known as the General Enrollment Period.

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.

Will I have to pay late enrollment penalties if I miss my Initial Enrollment Period?


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  

Back to Top  

I want to enroll in Medicare. What are my next steps?



Once you're ready to enroll in Medicare, you'll want to consider the following next steps:
 

  1. Enroll in Original Medicare Part A and/or Part B
  2. Research additional Medicare coverage you may want—Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, and/or Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans.
  3. Enroll in any additional Medicare coverage directly with the plan(s) provider.
     

Learn how to enroll in Medicare coverage  

Enrolling in Medicare with a qualifying disability or medical condition


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.
 

Learn how to enroll in Medicare with a qualifying disability, ALS or ESRD  

Already enrolled in Medicare?

Learn how to change Medicare plans  

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Scroll for Important Disclosures

UnitedHealthcare pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, brokers or producers.

 

AARP encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make product recommendations for individuals.

 

Please note that each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its products.

 

AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

AARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare.

Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Hartford, CT or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, Schaumburg, IL (for ND residents) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY (for NY residents). Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its products. 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.


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.

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Last updated: 5/4/2022 at 12:01 AM CT | Y0066_AARPMedicarePlans_M Last updated: 5/4/2022 at 12:01 AM CT | Y0066_UHCMedicareSolutions_M
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Already a member? Call the number on the back of your member ID card.

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Already a member? Call the number on the back of your member ID card.

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