6 months before your birthday
- Confirm your Social Security work credits & whether you qualify for premium-free Part A.
- Ask your employer whether your current coverage is creditable & who pays first.
- If you contribute to an HSA, plan to stop contributions six months before Part A begins to avoid a tax penalty.
3 months before (your Initial Enrollment Period opens)
- Enroll in Part A & Part B at ssa.gov, or decline Part B in writing if you are staying on active employer coverage.
- Make a complete list of your medications with exact dosages & pharmacy.
- List every doctor & specialist you want to keep.
- Decide between Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement + Part D.
1–2 months before
- Compare plans available in your county against your specific doctor & drug lists.
- If you want a Medicare Supplement, apply during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment window when acceptance is guaranteed.
- Confirm your effective date & watch for your red-white-and-blue Medicare card.
After coverage starts
- Schedule your 'Welcome to Medicare' preventive visit within the first 12 months of Part B.
- Register on your plan's member portal & order any included extras such as an OTC card.
- Keep your Annual Notice of Change letter each fall & review before December 7.
Frequently asked questions
Am I enrolled in Medicare automatically?+
Only if you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits at least four months before turning 65. Everyone else must actively sign up.
Can I keep contributing to my HSA after 65?+
Not once Medicare Part A begins. Because Part A can be backdated up to six months, most people stop HSA contributions six months before their Medicare start date.
For educational purposes only. Alliance Global Insurance Group is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare.gov or the U.S. government. Plan availability, costs & rules vary by county & change annually — confirm details with a licensed advisor or at Medicare.gov.