Our Services — Medicare — Turning 65
Turning 65? Here’s Your Guide to Getting Started with Medicare
Turning 65 comes with a lot of decisions. This guide walks you through the timeline, your options, and what to watch out for, so you can approach Medicare with confidence instead of confusion.
Get My Free Turning 65 ChecklistYour turning 65 timeline
When to Start, and What Happens When
Most people become eligible for Medicare the month they turn 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period gives you a 7-month window to sign up without a late penalty.
1
3 months before your birthday month
Your Initial Enrollment Period begins. This is a good time to start comparing your options.
2
Your birthday month
The month you become eligible. If you enroll now, coverage may start with a short delay.
3
3 months after your birthday month
Your Initial Enrollment Period ends. Enrolling by this point helps you avoid a late enrollment penalty.
Key Decisions to Make Before You Enroll
- Are you still working? — If you have employer coverage, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. You can still work and opt out of your employer’s coverage if it makes more sense to take Medicare and secondary coverage. We can help you compare.
- Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? — Decide whether you want Original Medicare (with an optional Medigap and Part D plan) or an all-in-one Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
- Do you take regular prescriptions? — If so, prescription drug coverage should factor into your decision from the start.
- Do you want to keep your current doctors? — This can influence whether Original Medicare with Medigap, or a specific Medicare Advantage network, is the better fit.
Enrollment timelines and rules can vary based on individual circumstances, such as disability status or existing employer coverage. This guide provides general information only.
Who this guide is for
This Guide Is a Good Starting Point If…
- You’re turning 65 in the next several months
- You’re retiring soon and losing employer coverage
- You’ve heard Medicare has “parts” and “enrollment periods” but aren’t sure how they fit together
- You want a checklist to work through, rather than researching from scratch
Why call Lifelong Insurance Agency
A Guide Is a Starting Point. We’re Here for the Rest.
This guide can help you understand the timeline and the big decisions ahead, but every situation is a little different. That’s where talking to an independent agent helps.
Independent, not captive
We compare Medicare options from multiple reputable carriers, not just one.
No cost to you
Our guidance is always free, with no obligation to enroll.
Personalized to your situation
We factor in your medications, doctors, and budget, not just general rules.
A resource beyond enrollment
We remain available to you for as long as you have coverage.
Carriers we represent
Backed by Trusted, Well-Known Insurance Companies
Because we’re independent, we’re able to compare plans from multiple reputable carriers, including:
…and other regional and national carriers, depending on your state
Carrier availability varies by state and plan type. This is not a complete list of every company we represent.
Medicare FAQs
Common Questions About Medicare
If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you may be enrolled automatically in Part A and Part B and receive your Medicare card 3-5 months before your 65th birthday month. If not, you’ll generally need to actively sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period.
Visit ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up or your local Social Security office to sign up. You’re not signing up for Social Security benefits unless you want to.
Missing your enrollment window can result in a late enrollment penalty for Part B and/or Part D, which may be added to your premium for as long as you have that coverage. Some exceptions apply, such as having qualifying employer coverage based on your or a spouse’s “current” employment.
No. Medigap plans are designed to work alongside Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. You would generally choose one path or the other.
It depends on several factors, like which plan option you start with. Medicare has specific enrollment periods each year, such as Annual Enrollment, where you can review and change your coverage, and state-specific rules may apply.
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. Some Medicare Advantage plans include these as added benefits.
Costs vary based on your income level, the parts and plans you choose, and where you live. We’re happy to walk through your specific situation at no cost.
Answers above are general and for educational purposes only. Individual circumstances vary. This is not a complete list of Medicare rules or exceptions.
What clients say
Real feedback from people we’ve helped
Ready to Map Out Your Medicare Timeline?
Turning 65 doesn’t have to mean figuring it all out alone. We’ll walk through your timeline, your options, and your questions together, at no cost to you.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), to get information on all of your options.