Turning 65 and Medicare: Your Enrollment Window, Rules, and Deadlines

When you turn 65, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare — starting 3 months before your birthday month and ending 3 months after. Missing this window without qualifying coverage results in permanent late-enrollment penalties and a delay in coverage until the next General Enrollment Period.

Key Rules

  • The Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months total: 3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after you turn 65
  • Signing up in the first 3 months of your IEP means coverage starts the month you turn 65; signing up later shifts your start date
  • If you have active employer coverage from an employer with 20+ employees, you may delay without penalty — but confirm this before skipping enrollment
  • Missing your IEP without qualifying coverage triggers a permanent Part B penalty of 10% per year and forces you to wait for the General Enrollment Period