Prepare for enrollment 

When can I enroll?

You can enroll in Original Medicare Part A as soon as you become eligible, while enrollment in Original Medicare Part B can be delayed. The delay is typically due to having coverage through your job or your spouse’s. Once your coverage ends, you will have eight months to enroll in Original Medicare or a private insurance plan. 

What do I need to do?

You will need to submit an application with Medicare to request enrollment in your Part B coverage.

When will my coverage start? 

For most people, your coverage starts on the first day of the month after you enroll.

When can I enroll?

If you have received disability insurance payments from Social Security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months, you will be eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.

What do I need to do? 

You will enroll automatically. You should get your Original Medicare card and details in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you get Social Security payments, your Part B premium will be paid from your balance once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with a private insurance company. You can pick a plan three months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving Social Security. 

When will my coverage start?  

Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage is effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in more coverage through a private insurance company. You can pick a plan three months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving Social Security.

If you miss your initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time, your coverage begins the month after you apply. Depending on your situation, you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare Advantage plans at this time. You may have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also have to pay late enrollment fees.

When can I enroll in Original Medicare? 

Most people enroll in Original Medicare Part A when it is available, but some choose to delay enrollment in Original Medicare Part B. This is most often due to having coverage through their job or their spouse’s. Once your coverage ends, most likely due to retirement, you will have eight months to enroll in Medicare and a private insurance plan. 

What do I need to do? 

You can request Medicare Part A coverage from the Social Security Administration either online or by phone. If you choose to delay enrolling in Part B coverage, then when you’re ready, you’ll need to apply with Medicare directly for your Part B.

When will my coverage start? 

In most cases, your coverage begins on the first day of the month after you enroll.

When can I enroll? 

If you have received disability insurance payments from Social Security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months, you will become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.

What do I need to do? 

You will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, so you won’t have to actively apply or request it. You should get your Original Medicare card and details in the mail three months before month 25 on disability. If you get Social Security payments, your Part B premium will be deducted from your payment once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with a private insurance company. You can pick a plan three months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits. 

When will my coverage start?  

Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage will start at the beginning of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in more coverage through a private insurance company. You can pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.

You are considered “dual eligible” if you can enroll in both Medicare and Medicaid. Enrollment windows for Medicaid will vary by location and need, so check with your local Medicaid office or visit Medicaid.gov. 

If you miss your Original Medicare initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time, your coverage will start the month after you enroll. Depending on your situation, you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare Advantage plans at this time. You will have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also have to pay late enrollment fees unless your current coverage type waives it.

No, if your plan is still offered for the upcoming year, you don’t have to do anything to keep your current coverage. As long as you remain eligible, you can automatically renew your plan each year.

Your insurance company will send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September, whether there are changes or no changes to your current plan for the next plan year. This letter will detail the changes in coverage, cost, service area, and benefits that will take effect in January. If these changes no longer meet your needs, you can shop for a new plan during the Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period from Oct 15 – Dec 7.

No. There are two opportunities each year to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan. 

During the Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, you can:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan from your current one
• Disenroll from any coverage and go back to Original Medicare Parts A & B 
• Switch your Prescription Drug plan to a different Prescription Drug plan
• Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan to replace your Original Medicare 
• Enroll in a Prescription Drug plan 

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, you can:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan from your current one
• Disenroll from your current Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare Parts A&B

From April 1 – Oct 14, you will need to qualify for a special enrollment period to switch plans. Not everyone is eligible to enroll at this time. Speak to a licensed sales agent to ask questions or change plans during this time. If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or go back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months you have Medicare.

Whether you are working or not, you will be eligible for your Medicare benefits when you turn 65 or qualify due to disability. You’ll have to decide if you want to enroll in Original Medicare or stay on your job’s plan. 

Your answer may differ for Original Medicare Part A and Part B. For Part A (hospital insurance), if you’ve been paying for Medicare via payroll deductions throughout your career, you’ll generally have no premium. This means you may want to enroll in Part A when you’re first eligible. For Part B (medical insurance), most people will have a standard monthly premium when they sign up. It is $202.90 in 2026. To find the best fit for you, talk with your employer or a licensed sales agent.

Yes. You will need coverage for prescription drugs. You can buy a stand-alone Prescription Drug plan, or an all-in-one Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan from a private company. If you don’t enroll in coverage during your initial enrollment period, and you can’t show creditable coverage was in place during this time, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

According to Medicare.gov, “If you miss your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up. You may have to pay a monthly late enrollment fee for as long as you have Part B coverage. The penalty goes up the longer you wait. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called ‘Premium-Part A.’” This only applies if you do not have other existing coverage.