Signing up for Medicare on time and avoid a monthly late enrollment penalty

When you turn 65, you can sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The IEP is a 7-month period that starts 3 months before your 65th birthday; the month of your birthday and ends 3 months after. 

When to sign up: 

• Automatically enrolled
  If you receive Social Security retirement benefits between age 62 and 4 months before turning 65, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B

• Apply for Social Security
  If you apply for Social Security 3 months before or after turning 65, you can sign up for Medicare when you apply

• Apply online
  If you're not ready to receive Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare online.

• Signing up does NOT sign you up for a Medicare Advantage Plan, only Parts A and B.
  

What happens if you miss the IEP?

• You may have to wait to sign up for Medicare until the next enrollment period.

• You may have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.

Who may be eligible for Medicare earlier? People with disabilities, People with End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and People with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). 

You can sign up for Medicare at www.ssa.gov. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778). 

Information sourced from: CHATGPT