Medicare Enrollment Timeline

Age

Get informed

Learn how Medicare works and research your options. You may even want to join us for a FREE HAP Medicare Seminar.

Age

+ 9 months

Time to enroll

You can enroll as early as three months before your 65th birthday, and up to three months after your 65th birthday.

Age

You are Medicare eligible

You can now start receiving your Medicare benefits. If you haven’t already enrolled, time is running out.

Age

+ 3 months

Don’t be late!

Most people generally need to enroll in Part B within three months after turning 65 to avoid paying a penalty.

Age

65+

Want to switch?

If your current Medicare plan isn’t meeting your needs, you can change plans during the Annual Enrollment period in the fall of each year.

Not ready to retire?

If you plan on working past the age of 65, you may have options for how or when to receive your benefits. Before making any decisions, here are a few details to keep in mind:

If you’re keeping coverage through your employer (or spouse’s employer)

You should still sign up for Part A – you can sign up as early as three months prior to your 65th birthday.
Ask your employer’s Human Resources team if you need to sign up for Medicare Part B (if your workplace employs fewer than 20 people, you may have to, or risk a federal penalty).
Check your prescription drug coverage – if it isn’t at least as good as Medicare’s, then you‘ll need to enroll in Part D to avoid penalties.

When you eventually stop working and your current coverage ends, you’ll have a special enrollment period and be able to transition to another Medicare plan without losing coverage.

If you’re NOT keeping coverage through your employer (or spouse’s employer)

Next: Learn how to enroll

Ask for your FREE HAP Medicare Kit

With complete plan details and enrollment forms.

Get the guide

Have Questions?

Call (866) 802-7430 (TTY: 711).
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.