Your Medicare enrollment window opens 3 months before the month you turn 65 and closes 3 months after it. That’s 7 months total. Signing up in the first 3 months means your coverage starts the day your birthday month begins.
Follow these five steps in order.
Step 1: Figure out if you’re signed up automatically
If you already collect Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you’ll be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically. Your Medicare card arrives about three months before your birthday. If you don’t collect those benefits yet, you need to apply.
Step 2: Check your work coverage
Still working, or covered by a spouse’s job? Ask HR whether your employer has 20 or more employees. That decides whether you can delay Part B, as we explain in Still Working at 65? If you contribute to a Health Savings Account, stop contributions 6 months before you enroll in Medicare.
Step 3: Apply for Part A and Part B
You can apply online at ssa.gov/medicare, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a Social Security office. A my Social Security account makes the online route easier.
Step 4: Choose how you’ll get your coverage
You have two main paths:
- Original Medicare plus extras. Keep Parts A and B, add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan for out-of-pocket costs, and add a Part D drug plan.
- Medicare Advantage. Get Parts A, B, and usually D in one private plan, often with dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
Compare the two side by side in Medigap or Medicare Advantage?, or start with our Medicare Basics page.
Step 5: Look for help with costs
Before you enroll, check whether you qualify for Extra Help, a Medicare Savings Program, or New York’s EPIC program. Each one can lower your monthly costs. Learn more in EPIC in New York and on our Financial Aid Programs page.
Don’t miss your window
Waiting past your enrollment window without qualifying work coverage can mean lifelong penalties. The Part B penalty adds 10% to your premium for each full year you went without it. See how Medicare late penalties work.
Why New York makes this easier
In most states, you get one 6-month chance to buy a Medigap plan without health questions. In New York, you can apply any time of year, and insurers can’t charge more because of your age or health. That gives you room to try Medicare Advantage first and switch to Medigap later if it doesn’t suit you.
We’ll walk you through it
Our Wilson office helps Niagara County residents through every step, from the Social Security application to choosing a plan. It’s free. Set up a consultation or call (716) 319-4613 about three months before your birthday.
Frequently asked questions
How early can I sign up for Medicare? You can apply 3 months before the month you turn 65. Signing up then means your coverage starts on time.
Do I have to sign up for Medicare at 65 if I’m still working? Not always. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you can often delay Part B. Check with HR and a broker first.
What happens if I miss my Medicare enrollment window? You may have to wait for the General Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, and you could owe late penalties.
