Understanding the A’s, B’s, C’s and D’s of Medicare
Medicare Eligibility
Your Medicare eligibility typically begins on your 65th birthday. People with certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are eligible sooner. The information on this page is presented to help you learn more about the various parts of Medicare and to help you avoid missing important deadlines where your Medicare benefits are concerned.
Enrolling in Medicare
When
You can apply for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday or up to three months after your 65th birthday (a seven month period in total).
Where
To apply for Medicare, simply contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit their website at SSA.gov
Why
Not enrolling in Medicare when you are eligible may result in financial penalties and time delay for enrollment.
Exceptions
If you are working and covered by a group health plan of more than 20 people, you may not need to enroll in Medicare until you retire.
If you are covered under a spouse’s active employment health insurance of more than 20 people, you may not need to enroll until your spouse retires. There will be no penalty for delayed enrollment.
