When you reach 65, you become eligible for Medicare based on your age, but you can sign up ahead of time to smooth the transition.
The initial Enrolment period for Medicare usually begins three months before you turn 65. Signing up before your birthday gives you time to think about your coverage options and have everything in order before your benefits begin.
You have more options for when you want to begin collecting Social Security benefits, but you should still sign up a few months before you want those monthly payments to start.
When Should You Enrol In Medicare Before Reaching The Age Of 65?
The Initial Enrolment Period For Medicare
The first Enrolment period is the period of time around your 65th birthday when you are eligible to join up for Medicare.
- The initial registration period for most individuals begins three months before the month you turn 65 and lasts seven months. Hence, if your birthday is July 3, you may sign up beginning April 1 and the time would finish on October 31.
- If your birthday falls on the beginning of the month, your Enrolment period will be slightly different. It's still seven months long, but it begins four months before your birthday month and ends two months after you reach 65. Therefore, if your birthday is July 1, you may sign up beginning March 1 and the initial Enrolment period would finish on September 30.
If you sign up for Medicare before your birthday month, your benefits will begin the month you turn 65. If you sign up during or after your birthday month, your Medicare benefits will begin the month after you sign up.
What If You Miss The Initial Enrolment Window?
If you missed the first registration period, you can sign up again each year during the general Enrolment period, which runs from January 1 to March 31. Your coverage will begin the month after your Enrolment. Late Enrolment fines may apply depending on your circumstances and the components of Medicare you sign up for.
If you qualify for a special Enrolment period, you may have additional opportunities to sign up. When you relocate or lose previous health coverage, you may be subject to a special Enrolment period.
Enrolment Is Done Automatically.
If you are receiving Social Security payments when you reach the age of 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. When this occurs, you will be eligible for Medicare Parts A and B beginning on the first of the month following your 65th birthday (or the month before, if your birthday is on the first of the month). Medicare Part B premiums are withdrawn automatically from your Social Security cheque.
If you wish to make any of the following modifications or additions to your Medicare coverage, you must still act:
- Including prescription medication coverage in Medicare Part D.
- Include a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan to help with out-of-pocket expenses.
- Signing up for Medicare Advantage, a private company-sold packaged alternative to Medicare Parts A and B.
When Should You Apply For Social Security?
You may not get Social Security and Medicare benefits at the same time. While most individuals receive Medicare at the age of 65, you have more say about when your Social Security benefits begin.
You can apply for Social Security payments up to four months before the commencement date. The earliest you may apply for age-based Social Security payments is four months before your 62nd birthday, therefore the earliest you could apply is four months before your 62nd birthday. Nonetheless, you might want to hold off.
For persons born in 1960 or after, the full retirement age for receiving Social Security is 67. That is when you are entitled to receive your full Social Security payments. You can begin getting permanently reduced benefits at an earlier age, or you can delay until you reach the age of 67 to enhance your Social Security income.
Commonly Asked Questions
When Should I Sign Up For Medicare Before Turning 65?
You may sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday (or four months before if your birthday is on the first day of the month). If you sign up before your 65th birthday, your coverage will begin the month you turn 65. If you join up during the month of your 65th birthday or later during your original enrollment period, your coverage will begin the month following your enrollment.
Is Medicare Automatically Included With Social Security?
When you become eligible for Social Security benefits, you will be immediately enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Your premiums will be taken automatically from your Social Security benefits.
You will have to add Medicare Part D prescription medication coverage and/or Medicare Supplement Insurance on your own.
You can also choose for a Medicare Advantage plan rather than Original Medicare.
If you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you should enrol in Medicare when you reach the age of 65.
Do I Have To Tell Social Security When I Reach The Age Of 65?
You are not required to notify Social Security of your 65th birthday. Instead, you apply for Social Security at the age you want your payments to begin, which might be as young as 62 or as old as 70.
If you are already receiving Social Security payments when you turn 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare – there is no need to notify Social Security of your upcoming birthday.
Can I Postpone Medicare If I Am Still Working?
If you or your spouse continue to work after the age of 65, you may want to maintain your employer-provided health insurance rather than begin paying the Medicare Part B cost straight away.
If you have group health insurance via a business with at least 20 workers, you may be eligible for a special enrollment period to sign up for Medicare Part B without paying a late enrollment penalty when your employer-based coverage ends.