Turning 65 is an exciting milestone — and an important Medicare deadline. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window: it begins three months before your birthday month and ends three months after. Enrolling within this window (specifically, in the months before your birthday) is important for ensuring your coverage starts on time and avoiding late enrollment penalties.
Here's a practical month-by-month guide.
3 Months Before Your Birthday Month: Begin Researching
- Your IEP officially opens. You can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B now.
- If you enroll in Part B at any point in this 3-month lead-up window, coverage begins the first of your birthday month (or earlier if your birthday is the first of the month).
- Begin gathering your Medicare card (if you haven't received it) or enroll at ssa.gov/medicare.
- Start researching Medicare Advantage and Part D plan options in your area using medicare.gov/plan-compare.
- Talk to your doctor's offices about which Medicare plans they accept.
- Pull together your prescription list (drug name, dosage, frequency) for formulary comparisons.
2 Months Before Your Birthday Month: Make Coverage Decisions
- Decide between Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D, or Medicare Advantage (which typically bundles drug coverage).
- If you're going the Medigap route, contact insurers for quotes. This is your guaranteed issue window — you cannot be denied Medigap coverage based on health status during your IEP.
- Compare Part D or Medicare Advantage drug formularies against your prescription list.
- If your employer offers creditable drug coverage and you plan to delay Part D, get written documentation from your employer confirming coverage is creditable.
1 Month Before Your Birthday Month: Enroll
- If you haven't already, enroll in Parts A and B through Social Security (ssa.gov or 1-800-772-1213).
- Enroll in your chosen Part D or Medicare Advantage plan. Plans must receive your enrollment by the last day of the month for coverage to start the first of the following month.
- Enroll in your Medigap policy if applicable. Coverage typically begins the first of the month you request.
Your Birthday Month and After: Confirm Coverage
- Confirm enrollment with each plan. You should receive ID cards and welcome materials.
- Notify your doctors of your new Medicare coverage and plan.
- Update your pharmacy with your Part D or Medicare Advantage plan information.
- If you previously had employer coverage, coordinate with HR to ensure no gap in coverage.
What If You Miss Your IEP?
If you miss your IEP and don't have a qualifying Special Enrollment Period (SEP), you'll face:
- A wait until the General Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) for Part B
- A permanent Part B late enrollment penalty (10% per 12-month period missed)
- A permanent Part D late enrollment penalty (1% per month missed)
Don't let that happen. If you're within six months of your 65th birthday and haven't started planning, call Insurance Innovators LLC at (530) 395-5309. We'll walk you through it step by step.