When to Sign up for Medicare

The short answer is: it depends on your needs and several factors.

If you are collecting Social Security before age 65, you will automatically be signed up for Part A and Part B to start the first day of the month you turn 65.

If you want Medicare coverage to start as soon as possible and are not collecting Social Security, you have three months before the month of your 65th birthday to sign up for Part A and Part B either online or in person at the Social Security office.

However, if you are working past 65 and do not need medical coverage from Medicare, you can defer enrolling in Part A and B until such time you're ready to retire. Deferring enrollment to after retirement is at no penalty as long as your employer coverage is deemed credible by Medicare. Your HR Department would know if your plan meets this designation. Even if you are staying on other creditable coverage past age 65, it may make sense to sign up for Part A anyways. Most people are entitled to Part A at no cost and don’t have a Health Savings Account, or HSA. In this instance, we recommend you stay on your employer plan and sign up for Part A only. This gets your name in the Medicare system and gives you some extra hospital coverage at no cost.

If you do have an HSA, do not enroll in Part A or Part B until 6 months after you have stopped contributing to your HSA. Keep in mind that enrolling in Part A after age 65 will automatically retroactively instate Part A 6 months prior or up to the first day of the month of your 65th birthday.

If you are eligible for Medicare based on disability for 24 months, you will automatically be enrolled in both Part A and Part B for the first day of the 25 month of disability.